Solar Rights Alliance Strives To “Save Rooftop Solar” In California
I recently wrote an article about the threat to rooftop solar net metering — and thus rooftop solar power growth — in California. Then, a few days later, one of our editors found and published “347 Organizations Sign Letter to Protect Rooftop Solar Power in California.” In response to the article, an organization called “Solar Rights Alliance” reached out. It has an interesting campaign underway to try to get rooftop solar power in California saved by putting pressure on California Governor Gavin Newsom to step in. Considering the much broader pressure Governor Newsom is under this coming week and in recent months, perhaps a campaign like this could needle Newsom into some public statements on the matter. Though, I assume he’s too busy for more than that until after Sept. 14.
The top of the alliance’s website starts with a hard-hitting reality: “California’s climate emergency accelerated in 2020. Nearly every resident experienced blackouts and increased wildfire risk. Utility companies ignore the effects of fossil fuel pollution and our rising electricity bills.” Well, even before that was this subheading/callout statement:
“Utility monopolies are threatened by California’s solar progress: don’t let them pull the plug on the future.”
But the bit I quoted above is a bit more relatable to people who aren’t focused on solar topics. They know what’s been happening in the state. They know utilities have issues and charge them a lot of money. They don’t trust utilities, for plenty of clear reasons. When you pull those matters together, it’s easy to understand the framing that rooftop solar net metering is being attacked because utilities just want to make more money off of you.
Already motivated to spend ~10 seconds helping out? Head here to sign a petition.