Baker Electric Home Energy Takes a Stand to Help Consumers

Change is coming to the way California public utilities charge and provide electricity credit to solar customers and Baker Electric Home Energy is taking a stand to help consumers save money and take control of their energy costs. Baker is partnering with California Solar and Storage Association (CALSSA) as the deadline approaches for the California Public Utilities Commission to announce the next iteration of Net Energy Metering (NEM).

“We’re supporting CALSSA’s Save California Solar campaign to Stop the Utility Power Grab,” said Mike Teresso, President – Baker Electric Home Energy. “Today SDG&E operates under NEM 2.0 – with no extra monthly charges for solar customers and the ability to build up solar credits to use in months when more electricity is needed. The utility’s proposal would see NEM 3.0 drastically devalue those credits and add monthly fees, dramatically changing the energy savings solar customers experience today.”

California’s investor-owned utilities – SDG&E, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas & Electric – proposed to the Public Utilities Commission adding a $65 to $90 monthly solar penalty fee to energy bills and drastically reducing the credit solar consumers receive for selling the excess energy they produce. Solar systems installed before NEM 3.0 becomes effective are expected to be grandfathered under NEM 2.0 for 20 years.

“The result of the utilities’ NEM 3.0 proposal is a move away from rooftop and community solar and batteries, which would over time cost California tens of billions and each ratepayer approximately $295 a year,” said Teresso. “This runs counter to efforts in the U.S. and around the world to increase the use of solar clean energy. We want to keep growing solar in California so more families, schools, and small businesses can keep harnessing clean power from the sun.”

The Save California Solar campaign is gathering 100,000 public comments in a message urging Governor Newsom and the CPUC to keep California a solar state by protecting its successful policies. Teresso says Baker Electric Home Energy is encouraging clean energy advocates to participate here https://www.savecaliforniasolar.org/sign-petition/

A proposed decision is expected from the state PUC on December 10 and a final decision in January 2022.

About Baker Electric Home Energy

Built on over 83 years of electrical contracting expertise, San Diego-based Baker Electric Home Energy has provided home energy solutions to over 16,500 customers throughout Southern California. Known for exemplary customer service and business ethics, Baker Electric Home Energy designs, engineers, and installs solar power systems and home batteries for residences in San Diego County, Western Riverside County, and Southern Orange County. Additionally, the company provides full heating and air conditioning services and smart home solutions. Baker’s goal is to enable Southern California homeowners to generate, manage and use their power to save money, enhance their family’s lifestyle and protect the planet.

Baker Electric Home Energy is a BBB accredited business with an A+ rating and was the Pacific Southwest winner of the prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics in 2019 and 2021 and the proud winner or finalist of the BBB Torch Award in the 100-499 employee category from 2014 through 2021. In addition, Baker received the BBB’s coveted International Torch Award in 2017. The San Diego Business Journal ranked Baker as its No. 31 Fastest-Growing Private Company in 2017.

About the California Solar & Storage Association

The mission of the California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) is to promote the widespread deployment of smart, local, clean energy technologies while supporting a wide variety of businesses that everyday build a better energy future in urban and rural communities and neighborhoods throughout the state.