[gedy]

Long story, but basically there is a push in California gov't to deemphasize rooftop solar, in favor of big solar farms. (I've heard this is a favor to construction unions).

So we get paid very little per watt now, and it no longer balances out if you say use 20kWH from the grid and feed 20kWH to the grid (like it used to).

[cameldrv]

Joke's on them. Storage is getting very cheap now. At the prices PG&E is charging, it's now cost effective to buy batteries and store your solar power. Some of this requires a certain amount of DIY, but if PG&E restructures rates to go after these people, many of them will simply oversize their system, disconnect from the grid entirely and just have a generator for deep emergency backup.

[kilotaras]

> no longer balances out if you say use 20kWH from the grid and feed 20kWH to the grid

Should it balance though? One would presumably feed into the grid when sun is shining, meaning there's a lot of supply (not just from you), and consume during the opposite.

[janpieterz]

Yea, that's my understanding of the introduction of the NEM 3 policy. Production of energy isn't the problem in California (aka: sun), having it stored and accessible at the right moment is. Previously people would be feeding back solar during peak sun hours and getting paid, while taking energy at night and having an effective "0 dollar use" bill if they consume the exact same amount (there is some base connection fee).

The NEM 3 policy reduces a lot what you get paid unless you contribute back during the peak use hours, they say it's "avoided cost" pricing. On the surface it seems fair, you're paying for more than generation when you use energy so you generating and contributing back during huge surplus isn't as valuable as you using during night time.

[janpieterz]

Huh, thank you. Moved here recently so going to have to check it out. If I have battery storage to supply my home, surplus would at least make some money right?

[mbrumlow]

What is worse, is they seem to want to change it so they can charge you for solar you generate and use.

[janpieterz]

Any resources in that? Seems ridiculous. I get a “net connection fee” and can even somewhat feel comfortable with this NEM 3 thing, but what I generate should be mine to control, I could do it completely off grid if I wanted.

As mentioned in other comment, moved here recently and exploring the situation.

[gedy]

Yeah it's really ridiculous and leaves me very cynical that California gov't cares anything about climate change aside from scaring people into more bureaucracy and power for themselves.