Viewpoint: California’s Rooftop Solar Efforts Need a Boost
California and the broader U.S. administration should be vigorously championing clean energy efforts, especially in our contemporary world facing unprecedented climate challenges.
As our planet grapples with intensifying heatwaves, destructive wildfires, severe storms, and alarmingly lethal air pollution, supporting eco-friendly energy sources stands out as a critical and necessary step. These green solutions can act as alternatives to traditional and environmentally harmful energy sources like coal, oil, and gas. These not only disrupt our climate but also continue to damage the fragile ecological balance.
That’s why the recent proposal by the California Public Utilities Commission to cut back on incentives for a range of entities—including apartments, schools, and farms—interested in installing solar panels raised eyebrows. With a vote on this matter due next week, the proposal naturally invites scrutiny and concern.
Recall that the commission, with members appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, already dealt a significant blow to the rooftop solar industry just last year. They unanimously voted to reduce solar incentives for homeowners, a move that witnessed a dramatic decline in new solar installations. Data provided by an industry trade group underscores this decline. This policy shift shook the solar industry, causing several smaller solar enterprises to ponder their future viability. It even led the nation’s premier installer, San Francisco’s Sunrun, to lay off a substantial portion of its workforce, totaling 1,000 employees.
The current trajectory suggests that California is on the verge of making solar installations less accessible and affordable, especially for renters. Detractors argue that this is not only detrimental to the state’s ambitious climate objectives but also poses a challenge to socioeconomic fairness. Bernadette Del Chiaro, the Executive Director of the California Solar & Storage Association, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the broader implications of such a move on the state’s environmental and equity goals.
