Rising Bills: Action on Home Energy More Urgent Than Ever
Everywhere Cool Davis goes these days — online, NextDoor, in-person at the Davis Farmers Market — everyone is talking about their high energy bills. We all are experiencing the impacts of higher natural gas rates implemented last year but not felt until this winter when…
CALSSA and GRID Alternatives Statements on CPUC’s Vote to Slash Solar Net Metering
“The changes to net metering approved by the CPUC are a step backwards when we really need to be moving forward with solar and battery storage. It is a dark day in California when the utility regulators try to block out the sun.” Sacramento, CA—The…
CPUC Slashes Rooftop Solar wth NEM 3.0 Decision
A messasge from Dave Rosenfeld, Executive Director of the Solar Rights Alliance: On December 15, 2022, the CA Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 5-0 to effectively put solar out of reach for the millions of households, churches, schools and businesses that don’t have solar yet….
Tax Credit Boosted: Davis Neighbors Take the Bet on Renewable Energy for their Future
A few months back in May, my neighbors, Diane and Andy Monheit, asked for advice on a rooftop solar system for their home. I told them about the Cool Davis Double Up on Solar campaign, shared our solar Planning Guides, and answered questions based on…
City Celebrates Community Solar Achievement, Proposes More Renewables
Peregrine School April 20 2022
Proposed Decision Threatens Rooftop Solar in California
Updates: Protests are planned for the January 13th 2022 to coincide with the next voting meeting of the CPUC (agenda link). Save Our Solar Jobs Rally information (San Francisco and LA): https://calssa.org/calendar/2022/1/13/save-our-solar-jobs-rally See the Save California Solar website for more information: https://www.savecaliforniasolar.org/. More information can…
Proposed NEM Regulations Make Rooftop Solar Less Financially Attractive
In a previous newsletter, we told you about a bill in the Legislature, AB 1139, that would have modified the Net Energy Metering (NEM) system in California to the detriment of rooftop solar owners. That Bill died in the Assembly. You would have thought that…
Grassroots Coalition Rallied to Keep California a Pro-Solar State
Hallelujah. A day for celebration! I have a great story to share about how “all of us” won yesterday and killed the bill AB 1139 that wanted to kill rooftop Solar in California. This was not anything anyone expected. We were already preparing to win…
Investor-Owned Utilities Propose Significant Rooftop Solar Cost Increase
California’s three investor-owned utilities, including PG&E, have just made a joint proposal to the CPUC that would significantly reduce the financial benefit of owning rooftop solar. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) establishes the rate that electric utilities can charge for power, including those with…
Saving Money? Always a Great Plan!
Thank you to Bernadette Balics for her contributions to this article! Incentives have always played a huge role in the adoption of new technologies. Eventually, prices come down as volume increases and innovations like electric cars, electric heat pumps, and renewable energy become commonplace. While…
Driving on Sunshine 2020 Highlights the EV/PV Connection
Starting September 26th through October 4th, Cool Davis combined National Solar Tour and National Drive Electric Week events into our own local extravaganza — Driving on Sunshine! The combination and connection to these events allowed us to feature our local activities on national platforms in…
Backup Battery Systems: The Final Piece of the Energy Puzzle
Our homes are more important than ever: they are our offices, schools, entertainment, and, at times, the only sit-down restaurant in town. So, having a home that powers itself, even when there’s a power outage, equates to huge peace of mind. How is this possible?…
Register for Davis Driving on Sunshine Week – Upload Your Tour Video Today!
Davis Driving on Sunshine Week Sept 26th to Oct 4th, 2020, ONLINE and FREE
Driving on Sunshine Week: Program and Resources
Driving on Sunshine Program and Videos Sept 26th – Oct 4th, 2020 ONLINE and FREE
Pairing Electric Vehicles with Solar: the EV/PV Life with “Tarry Scoot”
For more about electric vehicles and incentives, visit our Drive Electric webpage. For Jon Bjornstad, the decision to install solar panels on his home was not necessarily about saving money. He’s not opposed to saving money and not in a position to ignore a good financial…
Solar with a Re-roof Is a Good Match!
Breaking News! Effective May 4, 2020, Yolo County announced it is now allowing construction and other limited activities to resume. The City of Davis is accepting new construction permit applications and resuming processing of existing applications. The building counter in City Hall remains closed to…
You Are a Solar Champion!
If you already have a rooftop solar system, Cool Davis wants to THANK YOU! We also want to give you an “I am Solar Powered” or “I Love Solar” sticker so you can share your solar pride! Put your sticker on your mailbox, bicycle, laptop,…
All Electric Homes in Davis: the Carrot vs. the Stick
In January, the California Energy Commission approved a new building code in Davis that encourages the construction of all-electric homes and discourages the use of natural gas to fuel residential appliances and heating systems. This comes after numerous California cities have approved similar initiatives, including…
Per Capita Davis: New report on world energy outlook
There are several highly reputable organizations tracking the science of the climate crisis and issuing regular reports. Probably the best known of these is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change at the United Nations. Another, right up there at the top in terms of reputation…
Updates on the Solar Energy Federal Tax Credit
The installation of a residential solar system certainly became easier on the wallet with the current 30 percent federal tax credit! Residents who purchase their solar system either with cash or a loan may be eligible for a 30 percent tax credit. Unfortunately, this percentage…
