Solar Poised for Record-Setting 2023 while Economic Challenges Mount
The U.S. solar industry added 6.5 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity in Q3 2023, a 35% year-over-year increase as federal clean energy policies begin to take hold. As a result of this growth, the United States is expected add a record 33 gigawatts (GW) of solar capacity in 2023, according to the U.S. Solar Market Insight Q4 2023 report released today by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie.
CPUC Decisions Imperil Rooftop Solar in California, Jeopardizing the State’s Clean Energy Goals
A series of decisions by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) are devastating the state’s rooftop solar industry. Following a December 2022 decision to transition from net metering to a new net billing structure, the CPUC has approved additional rules that make it harder than expected for solar businesses to operate and for Californians to choose solar.
CPUC Undermines the Ability of California Schools, Farms, and Small Businesses to Choose Solar
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved new rules that do not allow schools, farms and small businesses to benefit from their onsite solar consumption.
North Carolina Regulators Issue Order to Strengthen the State’s Rooftop Solar Market
RALEIGH, N.C. — On Thursday, the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) issued final orders in its net metering “Smart $aver” docket. The Commission approved a three-year glide path for solar customers to transition from monthly credits to a more dynamic time-of-use rate structure that incentivizes the use of solar when it is most valuable. The order also directs Duke Energy to open a solar plus storage program within 90 days, approves a $0.36/watt incentive to go solar, and approves another monetary incentive to encourage residential energy storage installations.
Georgia PSC Vote Prioritizes Utility Profits Over Residents and Solar Customers
ATLANTA and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) voted on a final order in the Georgia Power Company (GPC) rate case. The order fails to expand the successful rooftop solar pilot program that the PSC created in 2020. Instead, the PSC adopted GPC’s anti-solar proposals to retain an instantaneous netting structure and impose a much higher and unjustified $100 interconnection fee for new solar customers, while approving a rate increase across the board for all ratepayers.
Solar and Storage Industry Statement on CPUC's Revised Net Metering Proposal
SACRAMENTO and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) revealed its revised proposal to change the state’s net metering rules. Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state and regulatory affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
Trade and Supply Chain Barriers Delay Impact of Historic Clean Energy Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. and HOUSTON, TX — The U.S. added 4.6 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity in Q3 2022, a 17% decrease from the same quarter last year as trade barriers and ongoing supply chain constraints continue to slow America’s clean energy progress.
New Jersey Takes Step Forward With Launch of Large-Scale Solar Program
TRENTON, N.J. and WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) released highly anticipated guidelines for the state’s Competitive Solar Incentive Program (CSI). The new program design details will help ensure New Jersey continues to make progress on clean energy and offer a positive path forward for competitive solar and storage deployment in the Garden State. Following is a statement from Sean Gallagher, vice president of state and regulatory affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
Solar and Storage Industry Reacts to Revised Net Metering Proposal in California
Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a revised proposal to change the state’s net metering rules. The proposal replaces retail rate compensation with a net billing structure for new solar and storage customers.
Solar and Storage Industry Statement on Midterm Election Results
Today, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) congratulates newly elected governors, state lawmakers and members of Congress who will play an important role in shaping the future of clean energy in the United States.