California Shared Renewables

Did You Know Most Californians Aren’t Allowed to Choose Clean Energy?

Although California has a mandate to supply 33% renewable energy to the grid, many Californians may simply want more. California also has smart energy laws that allow customers to install their own renewable energy onsite and get credit on their bill for the production against what they use from the grid. But many homes and businesses can’t install generation onsite, because of shading, roof characteristics, or for lack of assets or credit.

Find out how we can change that by supporting the California Shared Renewables Bill.

What you may not know is that the cost of renewable energy is now comparable to traditional power due to economies of scale and market competition. Currently, however, you can only get utility bill credit for your clean energy if your generator, meaning solar panels or wind turbines, is onsite where you use the energy.

California needs to pass legislation that gives access to a renewable energy facility, shared by multiple customers and optimally located, rather than being limited to their own property.

Davis’s very own State Senator Lois Wolk introduced Senate Bill 43 this year to do just this.  Its companion bill in the Assembly is AB 1014.  Now is the time to record your support for this legislation!  Send letters now.

Benefits for California and Davis!

With a 1,000 megawatt shared renewable energy pilot program, California could build 12,700 new jobs, earn $130 million in tax revenues, and generate $4.3 billion in economic activity— all without state subsidies — according to a new Jobs and Economic Impacts Report by The Vote Solar Initiative.

Shared Renewables helps California and Davis by:

• Providing access to clean energy for all – residential customers including renters, non-profits, and small businesses, and building jobs and job training opportunities in our communities

• Reducing the need for utilities to purchase the costliest power during the daytime from gas peaker plants

• Cutting operation and maintenance costs of grids by distributing generation

• Allowing regulators, utilities, and developers more flexibility in finding the most cost-effective and reliable locations for generating electricity

• Maximizing the efficient use of land, such as parking structures, storage facilities, and other sites

• Exploring methods for further, voluntary purchases of renewable energy without ratepayer impact

For more information and to take action go to http://californiasharedrenewables.org/learn-more/senate-bill-43/   for details about this legislation and how you can get involved.

Encourage friends, family and colleagues around the state to get behind this important legislation!  Send them this information.