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The fight over California community solar: ‘It’s everyone vs. utilities’

Summary

This Canary Media article, written by Jeff St. John, delves into the battle over community solar in California. A diverse coalition of solar industry groups, consumer advocates, environmental justice organizations, labor unions, and the homebuilding industry is advocating for the Net Value Billing Tariff (NVBT), a new payment structure for community solar. They argue that NVBT is crucial for revitalizing California's community solar market and making it economically viable. The coalition aims to secure the NVBT program before the September 26 deadline to apply for $7 billion in federal community solar grants. This move has garnered rare consensus in California's solar policy landscape. If approved, the NVBT could enable a substantial increase in community solar capacity in the state, making solar energy more accessible to lower-income households and renters while helping the grid and housing affordability. However, utility companies are contesting the proposal, leading to a significant regulatory showdown.

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