Note: This letter was recently submitted to the Editor of our local newspapers, by Maggie Watson, Co-Owner of Mendocino Solar Service
Photo from: www.votesolar.org
Dear Editor,
California has the most solar systems in the country. Our State Senator Mike McGuire’s district is home to over 15,000 systems. Having a solar system on your home or property allows you to be your own power plant, generating clean and renewable electricity from the sun.
Rooftop solar creates good jobs, saves home and business owners money by keeping money in the local economy and provides benefits to utilities, like PG&E, by reducing fuel costs, as they do not have to burn as much coal or natural gas to cover the needs of Californians. Installing solar is an action that individuals can take to combat climate change.
But, solar is under assault by those same utilities that benefit from rooftop solar. On your electric bill there are tiers that increase in cost as you use more and more electricity. So the higher your use, the more you pay.
The utilities want only 2 tiers. Doing this would decrease the cost savings to families who want to install solar. This is basically shifting the cost of electricity from those who use a lot to those who are more frugal or are solar system owners.
The CA Public Utility Commission (CPUC) is looking at making this change and they need to hear from us. If this change happens, the vibrant growing solar industry will shrink, like Arizona did when they changed the tier system. Solar decreased by 95% within weeks. The tier system is good for us all and it needs to stay in place.
Call the CPUC and let them know your views. Their number is 800-848-5580.
Maggie Watson
Co-Owner of Mendocino Solar Service
