California Solar Market Faces Increased Regulatory Challenges

California regulators are considering changes to the net energy metering (NEM) rules for solar projects in apartments, schools, and farms, which critics argue would make investing in solar economically unappealing. The proposed decision would end virtual net metering for complexes with multiple electric meters but served by one solar array, potentially impacting the savings and benefits shared among tenants. Investor-owned utilities support the recommendation to require complexes to sell their solar-generated electricity to the utilities at wholesale prices, making solar financially unappealing for affordable housing complexes. The fate of the proposal will be decided by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) when they meet on Thursday.