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Solar Vote
Solar panels in a parking lot outside South East High School, an L.A. Unified School District campus in South Gate. (Photo courtesy of LAUSD)
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Courtesy of L.A. Unified School District
)
Topline:
California Public Utilities Commissioners unanimously voted to cut rooftop solar incentives for apartments, schools and other properties with multiple electric meters.
Why it matters: Solar advocates worry the change will make apartment owners and other commercial property owners less likely to install solar, while schools say it makes onsite solar power generation unaffordable. Solar adoption on these types of properties has already lagged under the current, more generous incentives, and solar advocates worry this change will further put renewable energy out of reach for renters, small business owners and schools. A similar decision last year to cut solar incentives for single-family homes has led to a steep drop-off in solar adoption.
What the state says: The five commissioners agreed the proposal “right-sizes” solar subsidies, emphasizing current subsidies increase rates for customers who don’t have solar. They also said the change is needed to encourage more adoption of solar plus battery storage.
What’s next: The policy goes into effect in 2024 and doesn’t apply to buildings that already have solar, or qualifying low-income housing.
Go Deeper:
California Could Cut Solar Incentives. What This Could Mean For Apartments and Schools
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With Rooftop Solar Energy Out Of Reach For Many, Here’s What 'Community Solar' Could Do For Us
California Cuts Rooftop Solar Incentives. Here’s What That Means
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