Solar Net Metering would be cut to ten years under proposed bill, AB942

FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A bill that’s been introduced in Sacramento is now taking aim at solar net metering contracts.

Assembly Bill 942 would limit solar credits for those who purchased panels to ten years—instead of the current 20 years.

The bill is authored by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, who represents the 56th district, which includes Whittier.

Calderon is a former executive for Edison International and Southern California Edison.

A group of protestors outside her office in the City of Industry called into question whether her loyalty is to the utilities or the customers.

Brad Heavner, Executive Director at the California Solar & Storage Industry told Fox26 News Wednesday that he questions whether the cuts ordered in the bill would even be legal.

“It would be a breaking a contract, really,” Heavner says. “The state provided very clear information of what the terms would be. Customers signed an actual contract with the utility with those terms in it. If the state then goes and says ‘No, you have to change the terms of that contract.’ It’s actually a violation of federal law. We hope it doesn’t get to the point where we have to call it into question, but it’s obviously the wrong thing for the for the government to do.”

Calderon’s office did not return emails seeking comment or an interview.

But, she told the Los Angeles Times she introduced the bill after learning 97 percent of her constituents were paying higher bills because of the solar credits that were going to the remaining three percent.

Critics of AB942 say the real issue behind higher electric bills is increased spending by utilities.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is also among those opposing the bill.

He sent a letter to the chair of the Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy.

He says the bill poses a threat to the city—undermining investments Fresno has made.

As we reported last week, the city celebrated the completion of two major solar energy and battery storage projects.

According to Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities, the investments are projected to save taxpayers $122 million by 2045.

Dyer writes,

“While the state is entitled to reassess the future of solar policy, altering established regulations regarding long ago procurement decisions is inappropriate. It is alarming to see the Legislature contemplate such actions during this time of uncertainty on the federal level for municipal revenues and clean energy efforts.”