Rebuttal on NYT article on California net metering

The New York Times has an article out today on California’s net metering program titled “Solar Panel Payments Set Off a Fairness Debate.”

Unfortunately, the article uncritically accepts, without examination or data, two premises about net metering: that it is a cost shift, and that the poor are bearing the brunt.  Here are some resources to rebut:

Division of Ratepayers Advocates statement on cost shift:

• http://www.electricenergyonline.com/?page=show_news&id=165115

Analysis showing the nature and effect of purported cost shift:

• http://votesolar.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/20120404-NEM-Cost-Shift.pdf

Data showing that CA solar is not just for the wealthy:

• http://votesolar.org/2012/05/look-who’s-going-solar-in-california/

And insights from CPUC Commissioner Simon on solar demographics, here:

• http://votesolar.org/2012/05/we-won-cpuc-unanimously-approves-net-metering-expansion-in-california/

In any event, the question is to be addressed shortly, with decisions made after a fact-based examination. The CPUC decision last week (http://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PUBLISHED/FINAL_DECISION/167591.htm)  explicitly requires a cost-benefit analysis, and a rulemaking on adjusting net metering, if necessary, going forward.  Any cost shift comes from rate structures – and the CPUC is starting a proceeding to look at residential rate structures as well.  We’ll be intervening in each process.