UPDATED NOVEMBER 2022
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently released new guidance on Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0 that could greatly impact people interested in getting solar. The proposed changes include:
- A monthly grid access fee of $15/month when switching to solar.
- Export rates will decline significantly in the range of 3 to 6 cents per KwH.
- There will be a 120-day transition period during which NEM 2.0 applicants can still get in. The cutoff date is expected to fall somewhere in April 2023 depending on when the final vote takes place.
Anyone considering installing solar on their home should act quickly and install as soon as possible.
If you have questions about solar, we’ve got you covered. Fill out the form below to receive a free solar quote for your home or business. Connect with us at hello@amsunsolar.com or give us a call at )805) 600-5801.
It’s Not Too Late to Get Involved?
Let’s work together in advocating for clean energy, while discouraging the lobbying occurring intended to attack net energy metering. Sign the petition addressing Gov. Newsom today to help us stand up to utility companies.
As the Central Coast’s local solar experts, we have made a bold commitment to provide clean energy, and help local families invest in solar while reducing their monthly electric bills. The new guidelines from the CPUC could affect the viability of the solar industry, resulting in adverse effects on the way solar owners can save money on their electric bills.
What is Net Energy Metering (NEM) ?
When your solar energy system produces excess energy, it is then sent back to PG&E to buy back the energy from you. Customers use that extra energy to offset their total electric bill; this is where saving money with solar comes from. This excess energy is also used during heavy overcast days, or during the night, when electricity usage is greater than its production.
Key Takeaways:
NEM 2.0 isn’t perfect, but it’s better than NEM 3.0.
The current program, NEM 2.0, allows Central Coast solar owners to sell excess energy back to PG&E. That excess amount is then offset against their electric bills, typically resulting in money saved on their monthly power bills. NEM 2.0 requires solar customers to be on a time-of-use (TOU) billing rate program, which means electricity rates vary based on the time of day. Although the TOU rate has resulted in implications on net metering, A.M. Sun Solar’s system designs have adapted to take TOU into account.
Switching to NEM 3.0 would be detrimental to the solar industry and its customers.
NEM 3.0, the proposed program, would decrease the credit paid to solar owners and include additional monthly fees on solar owners’ electric bills. It even has the potential to require new solar owners to pay a fixed sub-retail price for their solar energy without the ability to use any of it themselves.
Current solar owners are grandfathered into the NEM program they currently have.
However, if you install solar now you too can be grandfathered in to NEM 2.0. If you currently have NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0, your agreement will be honored by the CPUC.
If you don’t own a solar energy system yet, it must be purchased as soon as possible to avoid NEM 3.0.
If you’ve been considering installing a solar energy system, there’s never been a better time than now! Signing up as soon as possible will allow you to sign onto the NEM 2.0 agreement and avoid the new NEM 3.0 proposal.
Questions? Contact us today!