### Why Rooftop Solar Isn’t the Cause of California’s High Electricity Costs
California’s rising electricity costs have become a central concern for homeowners seeking to manage their monthly bills. With electric rates nearly three times the national average, many state policies are under scrutiny for their impact on affordability. Among these, rooftop solar has been placed in the spotlight—but not for the right reasons.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s recently signed Executive Order N-5-24 aims to address California’s electricity affordability crisis by examining various programs linked to rising utility costs. However, as energy experts point out in a recent letter to the Governor, blaming rooftop solar for high electricity rates misrepresents the real issues.
### Debunking the “Solar Cost Shift” Myth
One of the key claims under examination is the idea that rooftop solar panels drive up utility costs for other ratepayers. This argument rests on the premise of a supposed “cost shift,” a discrepancy that critics blame on programs like the state’s legacy Net Energy Metering (NEM). Yet, economic analyses reveal a different story.
According to a review by consulting firm M. Cubed, solar panels for your home actually produce a *net benefit* of $2.3 billion annually for all California
Original Article: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/12/19/energy-experts-urge-california-governor-to-reject-anti-rooftop-solar-executive-order/
