Solar r.e.view Podcast

Solar r.e.view Podcast


PF! E13: Surviving the NEM 3 California solar market

January 23, 2024

California solar installers experienced a disastrous 2023 as soon as the NEM 3 rate changes took effect. The California Solar and Storage Association reports about an 80 percent drop in rooftop solar projects since April 2023. To make matters worse, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) closed out 2023 by approving further changes that impact the payback on battery exports. The CPUC also ended the self-consumption of solar for most virtual net metering projects. Is there any way to Power Forward! in California? We discuss with David Dunlap, VP of Product Strategy for the US, with BayWa r.e.


1:04 - Summing up latest NEM 3 rule changes

2:18 - Scale of 1-10: How worried should solar installers be?

7:08 - Given the new California market, how can installers maintain profitability?

11:43 - What else can I do to diversify, and not totally rely on solar sales?

14:15 - Overview of Virtual NEM program changes: "This looks wrong"