California Regulators Delay Vote on Solar Incentives for Renters

California regulators are delaying a vote on a proposed decision that would slash incentives for schools, apartment dwellers and farmers to install rooftop solar panels.

(Bloomberg) — California regulators are delaying a vote on a proposed decision that would slash incentives for schools, apartment dwellers and farmers to install rooftop solar panels.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) posted a notice that the vote, which was previously scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed to November 2. The proposal comes in the wake of a similar decision adopted by the CPUC last year that slashed rooftop solar incentives for homeowners. Both only apply to new customers, but, if passed, the decision would effectively do away with the multifamily residential solar market by making it financially unviable, said Joe Osha, an analyst at Guggenheim Securities.

The delay comes as the commission faces significant opposition from solar developers, environmental advocates and local housing associations. Hundreds have submitted public comments opposed to the proposed decision, saying it would put rooftop solar out of reach for California’s lower-income renters as well as crush the state’s clean-energy transition. Cutting incentives could put an additional damper on the state’s rooftop solar industry, which has been struggling with weak demand.

Environmental justice groups have also sent letters to Governor Gavin Newsom and CPUC protesting the proposal, and local school board officials have also spoken up against the reduction.

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