Californians call on the Governor to save rooftop solar

The cry to keep rooftop solar growing in California has grown in recent weeks among environmental advocates, faith leaders, environmental justice voices, green workers, energy consumers, and Californians from all parts of the state. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) put the continued growth of rooftop solar and the state’s clean energy progress at risk when it issued a proposal to slash existing incentives for rooftop solar panels on November 10th. The proposal would cut rooftop solar incentives by 75% for new solar customers who provide extra clean energy to their communities. Cutting the state’s proven solar incentives, which have helped California lead the nation in solar production, is a risky move that threatens the state’s clean energy transition. 

In the weeks leading up to and since this proposal, Californians have supported solar by participating in a dozen rallies throughout the state, recognizing the vast potential of rooftop solar in California and the need to keep progress going.

In October, over a thousand activists and supporters gathered in Sacramento at the Everyone Under the Sun rally to demonstrate the popularity and potential of solar power. Check out this video to see highlights of the Everyone Under the Sun rally and learn more about the effort to save rooftop solar:

After the CPUC’s proposal was released in November, leading environmental groups hosted a virtual rally to discuss the proposal’s shortcomings and the importance of encouraging more rooftop solar. On December 1st, hundreds of Californians rallied across 10 different cities for a day of action calling on Governor Newsom and the CPUC to keep rooftop solar growing. Advocates praised the numerous benefits of rooftop solar like how it generates more renewable energy, conserves natural space, and avoids expensive long-distance transmission infrastructure. 

Supporters rallied at the CPUC in San Francisco to keep rooftop solar growing.Photo by Ben Grundy | TPIN

To amplify this strong grassroots support for rooftop solar, Environment California submitted a letter on behalf of 173 organizations to the governor and CPUC calling on the state to save solar in California. Californians of all backgrounds are united behind the promise and potential of solar power, making this the perfect time for the governor and CPUC to save rooftop solar.

Want to help save rooftop solar in California? Here are four actions you can take right now to help save solar. The CPUC will vote on its proposal on December 15.