The Solar Battle: How Utilities Are Crippling Your Right to Energy Independence Posted on Nov 17, 2024

There's never been a better time to own your own energy supply. The freedom to harness solar power isn’t just about saving on your electricity bill—it's about taking control of your energy future. This right to own solar systems is rooted in values that transcend political divides: independence, self-reliance, economic opportunity, and environmental stewardship.

However, a fierce pushback is underway, particularly in California, where powerful utilities are waging an all-out war against rooftop solar. This resistance began with a 2022 deal between PG&E and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245, which led to the formation of a joint committee with a single, clear goal: to eliminate competition from residential and commercial solar. Since then, this committee has launched a relentless campaign of legislative, regulatory, and media attacks aimed at undermining solar ownership rights.

Two of the most damaging tactics? The "false cost shift" argument and the reclassification of commercial solar projects as public works.

The "False Cost Shift" Myth

Utilities and their allies claim that solar owners are unfairly shifting costs onto non-solar customers, painting them as freeloaders. The narrative is simple, but misleading: solar users are supposedly driving up rates for those who don’t have solar. In reality, this "false cost shift" argument is based on a complicated web of rate structures that few can easily untangle. Despite this, the myth has been widely adopted in policy discussions, distracting from the larger truth that solar energy ownership benefits everyone—by reducing demand on the grid, lowering electricity costs, and contributing to cleaner energy.

The New Public Works Law: A Barrier to Commercial Solar

A more recent blow to the solar industry came in the form of California's AB 2143 law, which imposes stringent public works requirements on commercial solar projects. Now, any business wanting to install solar must comply with complex contracting rules, regardless of the system size or the business’s scale. These new regulations—designed to regulate union work—have created a minefield of paperwork, penalties, and red tape. If a business fails to comply, it risks losing its utility solar rate.

The impact? California’s commercial solar sector has taken a serious hit, losing over 1,300 jobs in 2023 alone. This isn’t just an economic setback; it's a barrier to businesses and individuals who want to take control of their energy costs, protect against rate hikes, and invest in sustainable practices.

Why It All Matters

California's energy market is becoming increasingly dominated by monopolistic utilities, and with the federal government shifting its own energy policies, the stakes have never been higher. For many, solar is not just an energy choice—it’s a matter of freedom and economic opportunity. But with aggressive utility-backed legislation and regulation now threatening this freedom, we must ask: will we allow these monopolies to kill the energy independence movement? The battle for your right to own solar is far from over—and the outcome could shape the future of energy in America.