What is NEM?

NEM (Net Energy Metering) is PG&E’s program that helps homeowners reduce their monthly utility bill with the energy generated by their privately-owned rooftop solar energy system.

This allows rooftop solar homeowners the ability to generate their own electricity that can be used each month and contributed back to the grid. This special net meter measures the difference between the amount of electricity produced each month and the amount of electricity PG&E supplies. The calculated energy difference is referred to as net energy.

Currently, NEM is how CA solar homeowners are able to save money by generating solar power that’s then connected back to the utility’s grid, counting as bill credits towards the homeowner making solar a very cost-effective energy option.

How May NEM 3.0 Affect You?

CA legislatures are meeting to reform the existing NEM 2.0 policy under the guise to ensure rooftop solar grows sustainably.

Under the latest NEM 3.0 proposal, home owners with solar would face stronger regulations and prices net energy relationships with PG&E ultimately dramatically lowering the effectiveness of rooftop solar.

NEM 3.0 proposal favored the utility companies’ revenue versus the sustainable progression of rooftop solar for independent homeowners and small businesses. Several CA solar homeowners, activists, and solar industry workers have objected the NEM 3.0 proposal via the CPUC ruling’s comment period.

“We look forward to working with, as we have, advocates [rooftop solar supporters] in this space and landing on an agreement where we can provide protection and support for an industry that is essential to our state’s future, and that’s rooftop solar,” Governor Newsom said.

Other leaders in the solar industry such as Tesla Solar’s Elon Musk tweeted:

Bizarre anti-environment move by govt of California https://t.co/1OwdBNWbxT
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 12, 2022

Following the news of the potentially unfavorable NEM updates, Tesla, launched a web page to enable people to complain to Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) about the proposal:

“Tell Governor Newsom and the CPUC to reject the proposed solar tax and retroactive changes to existing solar customers. Encourage the Public Utilities Commission to reject a proposed punitive tax on solar customers and retroactive changes to existing customers.”

So Where is NEM 3.0 Now?

This push-back from California residents has delayed the NEM 3.0 comment period to June 24th, with the final decision from the CPUC to be announced as early as July.

With California being one of the leading states in solar energy in the US, the NEM 3.0 proposal was met with a great deal of public backlash as many Californian citizens viewed the proposal as a ‘step backwards’ for renewable energy. With over 600 organizations fighting to protect the rooftop solar program, the public pushback has made an impact so far.

As of now, the CPUC (California Public Utilities Commission) has yet to release an update on the NEM 3.0 proposal. Changes are expected to be made and announced soon.

However, to California homeowners that are looking into solar, there is still time to be grandfathered into the NEM 2.0 program. This allows California homeowners to install their solar rooftop system on the current NEM 2.0 plan.

What is “grandfathering”?

Homeowners who have solar under the NEM 2.0 program, will remain so for the next 15 years, which is referred to as being ‘grandfathered’.

If you’re looking to switch to solar, there’s still time as the NEM 3.0 won’t go into effect until July 2022 at the earliest, but you should act fast.

Take advantage of the NEM 2.0 window, and get in touch with our team. With quick turnaround times from signing to installation, you can get your rooftop solar system up and running as soon as possible.

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