DiscoverProbably True Solar StoriesThe Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC
The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC

The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC

Update: 2024-03-21
Share

Description

On the next Probably True Solar Stories, a psychic predicts a sunny future for a struggling solar installer and the entire California solar industry. But when the installer doesn’t believe her, the psychic makes a bet that could cost him a free solar installation. Can the psychic really change the installer's future or the CPUC?

True Solar Takeaways

  • Recent decisions by the California Public Utilities Commission have resulted in 17,000 solar job losses in California, and there could be more.
    • https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/rooftop/california-nem-3-0-layoffs-and-closures-set-in-six-months-after-controversial-ruling/
  • Studies show that rooftop solar is a net cost benefit to all ratepayers.
    • https://vibrantcleanenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/VCE-CCSA_CA_Report.pdf
    • https://www.bu.edu/articles/2016/solar-energy-advantages/
  • Under Net Energy Metering 3.0 (NEM 3.0), solar consumers receive a bill credit at the "avoided cost" or wholesale rate. To improve solar's ROI and payback, homeowners essentially have to buy a battery, increasing the upfront cost of solar and making solar less desirable in California.
  • Retail electricity bills from California's three major utilities increased by at least 47%, with San Diego Gas & Electric experiencing a spike of 104%. 
    • https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2023/08/30/california-electricity-pricing-exploded-in-the-last-three-years-far-outpacing-inflation/
  • California's Governor appointed the current CPUC commissioners and can influence them to review their recent misguided and devastating decisions for the rooftop and community solar industries. 

-----

Comments 
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC

The Psychic, the Solar Installer, and the CPUC

Tor "Solar Fred" Valenza