A California Assembly committee made a significant change to a proposed bill that could affect millions of rooftop solar owners. On Wednesday night, they decided to remove a controversial part of the bill that would have limited solar credits to just ten years for homeowners who installed solar panels before April 15, 2025. Instead, the revised bill now states that the changes will only impact those who sell their homes.
Assembly Bill 942, introduced by Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon from Whittier, aimed to end long-standing energy credit programs for about 2 million Californian solar panel owners. The original plan would have cut the benefits in half, from a promised 20 years to only 10. However, after hearing from numerous concerned solar owners, the committee opted to eliminate that provision. The bill still moves forward with the stipulation that those selling their homes would lose their credits.
The committee passed the amended bill with a vote of 10 to 5, sending it to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Many rooftop solar owners attended the hearing, expressing their fears that the bill would lower their home values. One homeowner, Dwight James from Simi Valley, shared his frustration, stating he recently listed his home for sale and felt blindsided by the potential changes.
Calderon, who previously worked as an executive at Southern California Edison, explained that the bill aims to address rising electric bills for non-solar customers. She argued that the financial credits given to solar owners for excess electricity they send back to the grid are unfairly increasing costs for those without solar panels. The bill has garnered support from major utility companies and labor unions, but it has also faced significant opposition.
Many solar advocates, including homeowners, schools, and environmental groups, argue that the bill undermines investments made based on the state’s previous promises. Schools like Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified have voiced their concerns, stating that changing the rules retroactively is unfair and could lead to legal challenges. They emphasized that they made good faith investments in solar technology based on the state’s commitments.
Some committee members noted the overwhelming opposition they received from solar customers, with Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo mentioning that the negative feedback was significantly higher than for any other bill. An analyst for the committee cautioned against including the ten-year limit, warning it could lead to legal issues due to existing consumer protection agreements that guarantee credits for 20 years.
Despite the changes, questions remain about whether the bill will actually lower electric bills for non-solar customers. Some committee members expressed skepticism about the claim that cutting credits would lead to savings for those without solar panels.
As the bill moves forward, it reflects the ongoing tension between utility companies and solar advocates in California, highlighting the challenges of balancing energy policies with the needs of homeowners and the broader community.