[RE-wrenches] California NEM3 specific question

[August Goers]

I'm not aware of any other option than completely removing and
decommissioning the old PV system and installing a new system to lock in
NEM2 for a new 20 year term. We are experiencing unprecedented demand for
PV right now as people sign up to lock in under NEM2. There are a lot of
nuances to getting our clients locked in so we've been working closely with
CALSSA and PG&E to make sure we're following the rules the best we can.
That said, the category of clients with old systems are some of the
trickiest to deal with. It doesn't seem like PG&E's internal process is
very well baked at this point. PG&E is holding some NEM2 webinars next
week, so we continue to learn more.

As far as NBT (Net Billing Tariff, formerly called NEM3) goes - there is no
question it is a major step down for new PV-only projects. Projects with PV
paired batteries may fare a bit better since they can be programmed to
discharge and earn credits at higher rates. We are having a really hard
time getting ESS permits in many Bay Area jurisdictions due to challenging
fire code and fire code interpretation. That is really slowing us down.
Anyway, there are a lot of challenges ahead but at the same time lots of
opportunities! I for one have PV and a battery at my house and I love it,
although I am benefitting from NEM2.

Best, August
Luminalt


On Fri, Mar 3, 2023 at 8:49 AM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

> To my Friends on the Wrenches forum:
>
>
>
> This is a question that likely can only be answered by a California based
> grid-tied contractor.  The subject itself may be of more general interest
> as it is demonstrative of a trend that has dogged the industry and may be
> more prevalent in the future.  The subject has many layers to discuss, but
> I have a very specific question:
>
>
>
> The new NEM3.0 legislation applies to current and future grid-tied
> customers connected to Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) in California.  It
> specifies in part that when NEM3 takes effect on 4/14/23, all customers
> that are currently categorized as NEM1 and NEM2 keep their existing status
> for 20 years from date of system commission.  After that 20 years these
> customers will be demoted to NEM3.  The reality of NEM3 is that it sucks
> for customers.
>
>
>
> My home system was commissioned in October of 2003.  That means that in
> eight months I will be forced into significantly worse terms for trading
> kWh with PG&E. It’s not just me-- we installed a lot of grid-tied systems
> in the early 2000s and I want to do what I can to protect my clients.  I
> worry for all people that supported solar when it was much more expensive.
> This is really a sad result for early adopters.
>
>
>
> BTW, everyone is talking about the poor people that have yet to install
> solar but don’t want to get the future bad deal.  The hidden story is this
> sunset provision.  As I said above, this part seems pretty unfair.
>
>
>
> I called PG&E today and was told that there is no way to extend NEM1 or 2
> status, short of removing all solar, having the roof inspected, and
> re-installing.
>
>
>
> So do any of you California wrenches know what options there are to keep
> NEM1 and NEM2 accounts off of NEM3?  Any advice is appreciated.
>
>
>
> If you agree that this is a problem, spread the word and give your
> customers a heads up.
>
>
>
> William
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
>
>
>
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