Great video! I know you mentioned it but want to triple confirm - can one have a completed interconnection application (therefore lock into NEM 2.0) BEFORE actually having the system installed? If so, is there any grey area/concerns with straddling that deadline?
Yes you have to sign the interconnection application before the system is installed. The issue is you really need to sign up 1-2 weeks prior to the April 14th deadline - so say April 1st - to safely get the planset (CAD design) of the system so can apply for the interconnection application. I hope that makes sense! Happy to help or answer any more questions Janine or provide a free Solar Consultation. My contact info is in the description and at the very end of the video :)
@@solargirltara Does the exact placement of the panels lock in when you submit the interconnect application, or can you move them (without changing how many or how they are wired) based on findings in the site survey?
@@machalot only adjusting the system size will require a new application. If you haven’t gone solar yet tho it’s probably too late most companies stopped guaranteeing nem 2.0 rates. If your still interested let me know and i can get you grandfathered in but we would need to move asap
Thank you for this video. I missed the boat on NEM 1.0 and 2.0 and am enrolled in SBP (Solar Billing Plan) which seems okay because I have the back up battery for night time use. I am very fortunate to live in the middle of the Mojave Desert where we get more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Even better is that I work at night away from home when we would be pulling from the battery, or ultimately the grid. Let me tell you what I didn't like. For years we were on our electric company's Time of Use (TOU) Prime which really benefited us because we were able to use the most electricity during Super Off peak hours especially since I work nights. Once we went solar they changed us to TOU-D which almost punishes someone for using during peak hours (4pm to 9pm). The rate skyrockets to 50 cents a kilowatt hour. Anyone that has kids at home or uses more than their battery can supply will never generate enough to offset that. This won't hurt someone like me but it sure seems like they are punishing people for going solar. Under the TOU prime the peak hours were only 34 cents a kw/h and didn't include weekends.
Hi Sara, when calculating cost savings did you take into consideration items such as maintenance, efficiency degradation over time, replacement costs at end of life, and insurance???
We applied February 2023 with Tesla and they took so long that we missed NEM 2.0. I live in Orange County, California and have Edison as our provider. Not as good as 2.0, but Edison is offering an additional 4 cents per killowatt on top of the 8 cents for anyone who gets solar the first year of NEM 3.0. I had a bad feeling we were going to miss out on NEM 2.0, so got a Powerwall to go along with our system.
If you applied in February, you should be under NEM 2. If you started the process with Tesla in February then yes, that was too late. You just had to submit plans before April. But starting the site surveying, designs approval and corrections and then submitting plans was too late. I think I had approved designs and plans with Tesla in March and they still managed to get plans submitted before the cut off.
In GA we've never had a 1.0 or 2.0 option. And don't even have one as good as 3.0. Yet our power company claims that it encourages home solar. NOT! It limits the amount of power you're allowed to install and limits how much you're allowed to sell back, requires that you purchase a large battery system. Makes no economic sense here. Yet power company is building its own solar farms and has been charging us for years now to finance a nuclear plant which is, as usual, behind schedule and over budget.
I just made it to NEM 2.0 I just received $19 federal tax credit for my Tesla Solar, Powerwall, new roof, Span panel (video on my channel) and Span Drive EV Charger. It's the first time in years I actually got a refund. I had my solar installed in January and I was doing everything I could to optimize usage. Now that it's summer, it's amazing to see how much goes back to the grid after my Powerwall is charged 100%. I just wish I got two power walls. Looking forward to replacing all my gas cars with EVs so I can charge them with the sun.
I feel like an EM 3.0 makes going with a PPA versus the ownership significantly more attractive, especially since ownership now has to approach or exceed $50,000 in order to be profitable for the owner after 5 to 6 years. Whereas PPA immediately locks in, Wx, electricity bill to a fixed rate per month with a fixed roughly 3% elevator. I don’t see how solar ownership stays viable with such reduced NEM rates at this point.
At least by law you do not have to stay connected to pge. Work on getting batteries and a generator and cut them out. Im producing 63KW on a good sunny day and plan on cutting pge out totally. I'm in the country though so not sure how it works in the city.
good information. We are still unsure where we are with NEM 2.0 or NEM3.O We applied right at the deadline including contractors signatures. That said, the contractor was not able to do the site survey for a couple of weeks after because they were backed up. We are still waiting for SCE to process our application and not sure if we are on 2.0 or 3.0.
Hi Jason! Looks like we were born the same year :) I love the Enphase battery and system but it depends on what type of solar panels and invertor you have. I have several options. We sell just batteries if you're interested feel free to reach out! solargirltara at gmail dot com or text me. :)
Interesting video, but I'm more confused than ever because I leased solar unit 20+ years ago and recently bought the system, in which the17 panels had been upgraded in 2015. I received information from SDG&E indicating that I am in the net metering system, but I don't know at what level, or for how many years. How do I go about find this information?
Hi! I am currently wit Solar Energy Partners. The warranties depend on whether we go with the installer warranty or with a 3rd party warranty. They range from 25-30 years and are bumper to bumper, $0 out of pocket and also include production guarantees. How can I help you? Feel free to contact me :)
Great video. Once a battery backup system is installed along with the solar panel system and operating under NEM2.0, how much will say SCE gives you back in credit for each access Kwh sent back to the grid? Will it be 0.30 cents for the next 20 years?
Yes it's still $0.30 cents but you will charge your battery first before pushing back energy to the grid. Essentially in NEM 2 the grid IS your battery backup but in NEM 3 it's makes more sense to get a battery with solar.
I live in Tulare county , I have my own PV SolarEdge system that I will DIY just need to get my plans done to submit. But I was told from a sales rep now I would need to add a Battery ?
They mean Batteries. Most likely 3 batteries. Which will cost you another $20k even if you are able to install it yourself. (FYI - They will only last you 10 years before you have to replace them, again) Happy NEM 3.0 Rip-Off.
It honestly sounds like a pretty good reason not to have solar, and to move. If you're in a position to invest, why grow roots in a place that gives credits for free electricity, instead of cash compensation for helping mitigate their ineptitude? A place that reduces the credit given by 70%? Why do that when you can move out of California where the sun still shines and the municipality has scaled with population usage and can afford to compensate you for your contribution to the grid? What lunatic would invest in a place where the goods procured from your investment can't be sold, but also, you're told that the exact same goods you were contributing last year are worth 70% less next year, even though the demand will grow *because they said so*? Its bonkers 🤣 Y'all need more electricity than you can make and yet instead of basic economics the people making the rules are like "You supply, we demand. Also, get a battery pack or three and stop asking us for stuff."
I am on NEM 2.0 we installed 27 panels on our 1500 sqft house flat roof no obstructions we are on TOU Prime and in the first 3 months of full solar we have yet to see a credit and have paid SCE $581 in utility bills after paying 44k to have solar not sure were the benefit is. My honest option I feel scammed by SCE and the Solar company. Any suggestions on how my bill could be so high only about $100 less then my normal bill prior to solar
Im here in California with Edison and about to install tesla solar and i wish I could see the NEM bill since its little confusing. Lets say you are under NEM 2.0 and sell 1 kwh at $0.3 and buy 1 kwh at $ 0.4 from electric company. If you use the grid power 100kwh and feed the grid same 100kwh during the certain amount of time like a month. Do you owe $ 0 or $10( $0.4x100 - $0.3 x 100) to the electric company??
If you're under NEM 2 then you will buy back the power you generate at the same you sell. In NEM 3 you would sell it for 75-80% less back to the utility company but buy it back at retail.
I was skeptical but you hada lot of good information. Lot's of people are jumping into the solar business so everybody do a lot of homework and soon, before NEM3
Thank you! Question; I have a 4.2 kW solar system now under NEM 1.0 with SCE. I am set up to install a 6 kW system soon. I understand I am able to either move my old system to NEM 2.0 along with my new system or I can apply for a multi-tarrif agreement and keep my old system on NEM 1.0 and the new one on 2.0. The downside is that my old system is 6 years old so I would only have another 14 years on 1.0 and then I assume it would go to 3.0 or worse. Would it be better to switch the old system to 2.0 for 20 years or keep it on 1.0 for 14 years? I probably won't use all my solar energy after I get the new system unless I get a EV someday.
That's a really good question! I think you would have to put it in a spreadsheet and do a cost/benefit analysis. Are you getting cash back under NEM 1 or is the 4.2 kw system not enough power for you now (which is why you're doing an add-on 6 kw system?)
@@solargirltara Correct. It is not enough for me now. The extra 6 kw will be overkill (I probably will use half of it now) until I get an EV someday. I'm not too concerned about making money off of it so maybe going to NEM 2 and getting another 20 years would be best. Not sure.
Is Net Metering a subsidy, or do they just pay you what your excess power is actually worth? Do utilities (or their investors) make any money on Net Metering? If utilities want to encourage battery backup, can you participate in Net Metering with only batteries, no solar? (Buy low, sell high.) If you have an EV with Vehicle-to-grid capability can you use your car as grid storage to cover some of your charging costs?
These are all GREAT questions! Net metering is the billing mechanism the utility company uses to pay for excess power back to the grid. Right now they are paying approx 75% of what they did in NEM 1.0, which now is approx $0.25-$0.30 cents. The utilities don't make money with net metering which is why they want to reduce the buy back rate as much as possible! NEM 3.0 is approx $0.05!!! I'm not sure how you would you charge the batteries without solar? But I have heard of programs they are testing where they utility buys back power from people's storage during a black out. If you have an EV vehicle to grid it enables the charged power to also be momentarily pushed back to the grid from the car battery to balance variations in energy production and consumption - so yes I believe so.
the new method of net metering they make money from you. NEM 3 you only get .01 percent of the market rate and still charged all other fees. you also cant cash out... nem 2 no cash out market rate you got for the power. had to pay all fees no cash out. nem 1 cash out and paid full market plus, got carbon credits to sell at 1000 a credit.
Do you already have solar Manny? If not, I can help you get solar and a new roof all rolled into one payment (with gov't assistance) and still get you grandfathered into NEM 2. If you have solar already, you would have to pay labor costs to your installer to remove the system, get your roof re-done and then have them re-install.
Hello..... I am struggling to find the answer hopefully you can help me. I want solar on my small business which is zoned as professional offices.... Is the NEM 2.0 program deadline only for Residential or can it be used on Commercial locations?
CAN YOU GET NET MEETING MY INSTALLER NEVER SUBMIT APLICATION AND NOW I AM IN A PROBLEM I HAVE PROFF THAT I INSTALL BEFORE APRIL 15 BUT MY COMPANY DID NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE
Hello Jose, I am so sorry to hear that 😟 I cannot help you get into NEM 2 I’m sorry you are passed the deadline. I can help you look at current options and see if you qualify for energy security and long term savings but it won’t be as much as NEM 2.
Last year, I was able to get a similar contract as your second example, but with more panels and an upgrade to my electrical panel at a slightly lower price. Maybe there is more inflation this year that caused prices to increase. Do you think that there will be some battery incentives coming soon? I'd love to add a battery at some point.
Hi Kevin! Yes last year the interest rates were much lower, I helped many people get 0.99% APR but with all the rate hikes systems have gotten a bit pricier, however there's still a great overall long term savings. Right now there is a rebate on batteries, usually up to $2k. I personally think the battery technology will get better and prices will go down. You can always tie a battery into your system down the road and it will not bump you into NEM 3 if you are locked into NEM 2. This is NOT the case if someone gets a battery when they are in NEM 3, at least that is what is proposed with NEM 4 that they are discussing now
@@BlenderBabes thanks for all the info, makes sense, I did get that good .99% rate last year. Also good info on the battery, I’ll take your advice and wait a bit longer on the battery. NEM 4.0 sounds like another chance for them to squeeze us solar users so it’s basically pointless…
I got solar in 2014 . I had tier billing then About 2 years ago I switched to TOU so I believe SCE switched me to NEMA 2.0? I should have been in NEMa 1.0? Can i or should I be in nema 1.0 i am a high capacity user with a 12k system. I believe that I pay less now in tou billing i always was going to tier 3. Help
7:55 is not true. If your original monthly bill was $144, your new bill is $91 (over 25 years I assume?), even with -$9/mo savings… you’re saving $62/mo ($144-$91-$9). $62 x 12 months X 25 years = $18,600 in savings. Say you pay it off in 5 years, that’s $3720 + $34,560 = $38,280 savings, not $153K
The latest version of small private power plants (roof-top solar) is bound to fail just like small private generators disappeared as the ecomomies of scale (lower cost per kwhr) created larger power plants and continue to do so. Roof-top solar is a hard sell when you consider the negatives (1) sub-optimal insolation, (2) unpredictable output due to weather, (3) degrading panels, (4) system maintenence, (5) long payout periods, and (6) reroofing complications.
Yes absolutely. The contract locks in pricing and allow legally allows someone onto your property and to get up on your roof. The site survey is going to tell you for sure if your roof and electrical qualifies for solar. If it doesn't your rep will tell you your options and it just voids out everything if you do not move forward. Let me know if I can help! I do all of California. :) My contact info is at the end of the video and description.
Sorry but I am having a hard time finding some answers…I would appreciate anyone’s help with any of the following🙂 reguarding true up Does it say on your bill if you’re nem 2.0 or 3.0? I know I should be new 2.0 What is the difference between bill credits which I surrendered 1100 and being paid $00.05 per/ kWh for excessive electricity produced? The received and delivered smart meter values, when do they reset? If a nem 2.0 home is sold does it stay nem 2.0? Was a $75-$145 one time connection fee part of my first true up? How is a 25 year cost savings calculated if you don’t know what future kWh costs are? 😊I talked to sdge twice and they were very helpful in helping understand what little I do know about true up more so than my Solar company. Apparently I have a community electricity provider so they will be sending me a check for excessive electricity produced it just surprised me that it only pays $00.05 per kWh.
When I first heard about this I assumed the power company was buying your power. It made total sense you shouldn't get retail money for what you generate. However if it's only a bill credit they should just credit a generated kilowatt hour with a stored kilowatt hour.
They did this in NEM 1.0 - it was 1 kwh produced for 1 kwh back. NEM 2.0 buy back reduced to 25% and NEM 3.0 is reducing a further 75-80% of what it is now. It's terrible!
@@solargirltara If they were actually cashing it out it would make sense to only pay wholesale value but as credits it's totally wrong. Making deals with your neighbors to splice into their system so you just use it all may be an answer,
@@jeffhanson6844 The credits are there to cover the power at night and colder months the solar doesn't produce as much as energy used. So need the credits so the homeowner doesn't have pay the utility company. The credits can even be used to cover the monthly grid connection fee which is currently $10-$12 approx depending on where you live. :)
NEM 2.0 customers are grandfathered to their tariff for 20 years from their PTO date. The 20-year NEM tariff grandfathering does not include grandfathering for your Time-of-Use rate. That means the power company can charge you as much as they want. So as long as you have that meter on your house, you are ratfucked no matter what NEM you have.
The problem I see with NEM 2.0 is let's say I put in 8 units (sorry I have no clue whether it's kw or kwh so I'm going with "units",) that my solar produced onto the grid and then I break even and use 8 units at night. Shouldn't I be charged for the wear & tear I just did on the grid? The more people who have battery'less solar just means more over-generation and wear & tear on the grid. On top of that, eventually those costs are passed down to the non-solar people who are using the grid the same way I am but I don't pay anything. NEM 3.0 is designed to encourage us to buy batteries. It reduces our use of the grid and helps eliminate the duck curve. Does it suck that your system will cost more? Sure, however it really is closer to what is good for your community as a whole. Of course this won't be a popular stance, but ask yourself this: what would happen if everyone in CA (yes, literally everyone,) was on NEM 2.0 without batteries?
Yes this is basically what happened in Hawaii and Australia so CA is following suit b/c the grid can't handle everyone going solar only with no battery. There's actually limits in some neighborhoods (approx 15%) that can go solar only due to this.
I think you did a good job at explaining the basics of NEM but you didn't go into the important specifics. It's important to point out that the buy/sell rate is dependent on the time of use (TOU) rate. The TOU rate is highest during on peak hours (usually from 4pm-9pm) and lowest during off peak hours. Meaning you're most likely selling your solar generated energy when the rate is lowest and buying when it's highest. So, realistically you don't buy and sell at the same rate. Yes, on paper you do buy and sell at the same rate but in practice it is very unlikely that you're able to do so.
Yes you are correct I gave an average but it is dependent on when you sell the energy back. There’s currently 576 different rates with SCE and it’s confusing to everyone, for a reason 😲
Between NEM 3.0 in California and solar companies like Sunrun ripping people off with their crooked solar leases, solar systems can be a financial nightmare for homeowners.
Personally I'm not a big fan of leases or PPAs, but they are the right solution for certain homeowners and their specific situation. I usually only share full purchases with the best equipment for the best price. I always show the cash price and then share many different $0 down financing options. :) solargirltara at gmail dot com
You should clarify to people that all of your numbers are APPROXIMATES since depending on who your electric company is will determine your actual costs. I have NEM1.0. You say the month grid connect fee is 1 dollar. That isnt true, Ive always paid 20 per month. You say the electric company pays back .025.kwh in nem 1.0, thats also not true as it depends on how much you pay for YOUR specific electric company. You say in NEM 3.0 the electric company pays you back at a rate of .08 per KWH, again NOT TRUE. With time of use billing they could be paying you back several different amounts based upon the time of day you were feeding the grid. NEM 3.0 is pretty complicated actually, depending on your electric company. Again, depending on your specific electric company , those numbers you site could be way off. Be clear to people that your numbers are ESTIMATES just for the sake of doing this video.
Yes you are right, the nem numbers I found are supposed to be averages as the billing IS pretty complicated. It will depend where you are but if you are SCE, PG&E or SDG&E you're basically going to get 75-80% less buy back from the utility. How big is your system and where abouts are you? $20/month for NEM 1 seems really high?
Good response, she is in the business on selling solar panels. She is probably out to rip people off like most of these solar companies attempt to do. She says it takes 5 to 9 years to break even, that's also a lie because the panels these people are trying to sell is super expensive. The solar companies are in the business in helping people but rather making the most profit off a customer. That's why I won't get solar.
Thanks for the great video. I am surprised that I am just hearing about this. Why aren't people rioting in the streets. California basically got rid of net metering. Any extra electricity that you produce you are basically giving away to the grid and then paying full price to buy it back.
Yes it's really because people just don't know about it! When the NEM 3 was firs proposed we did a rally in the streets in Sacramento because the first proposal also included a "solar tax" where the utility companies wanted $5-$8 PER KW PER MONTH instead of just $10-$12 connection fee. That will likely be a part of NEM 4
Bascially, if you snooze, you lose. Ten years ago I got in under NEM 1 with a large solar home system, knowing that the electric company would tighten their rules as time progressed, and they got greedier. Good move ! As the electric companies continue to tighten their rules, I'm ready to buy some batteries to go off-grid if necessary.
although this is well-done to sell a system, I urge potential customers to READ THE ENTIRE contract! Then run scenarios based on current use (the generalized figures displayed here are inflated). I've been a solar panel user for 8 yrs, now. I have followed PGE/mce's bills for this time. The benefits of solar have been seriously eroded. Now, only 15c/Kw is put in our "solar account" on power to grid production. If I was deciding to go solar these days, I would vote NO. Do your own research bf going into debt...
I really don't like the "savings" mambo jumbo scam! If you would really like saving on solar then you would do:1. Buy what you can afford (don't borrow from bank). 2. Rationalize your power consumption (yes, no AC for inconvenience) 3. Go off-grid ( f. the greedy companies)
The savings is based on a conservative utility escalator that happens every year, not even what the rate increases have been the last few years which is much higher. Rates have doubled every 15 years statistically for the last 60 years so this is based on historical data and conservative forecasting. People are getting loans at a price that is less than their current utility payment and it's for purchasing an asset vs renting electricity. hope that makes more sense. And who wants to use less AC? ;)
Yes each iteration of the net metering program is not as good for customers. However now in NEM 3 once you get a battery you can still appreciate a large savings in electricity by using stored power rather than grid power. 😊
So cal Edison, please STOP charging me double for our regular use of electricity. We did not vote for it or approve of it, it’s strain on the middle class.
It honestly sounds like a pretty good reason not to have solar, and to move. If you're in a position to invest, why grow roots in a place that gives credits for free electricity, instead of cash compensation for helping mitigate their ineptitude? A place that reduces the credit given by 70%? Why do that when you can move out of California where the sun still shines and the municipality has scaled with population usage and can afford to compensate you for your contribution to the grid? What lunatic would invest in a place where the goods procured from your investment can't be sold, but also, you're told that the exact same goods you were contributing last year are worth 70% less next year, even though the demand will grow *because they said so*? Its bonkers 🤣 Y'all need more electricity than you can make and yet instead of basic economics the people making the rules are like "You supply, we demand. Also, get a battery pack or three and stop asking us for stuff."
Solar is a money losing proposition! You are better off investing your money in a market index fund which will grow faster than the increase in the cost of electricity. You will have more money at the end of 20 years than the person who bought solar.
Good Information but no way the example saved $153,000 over 25 years. That would be $510 savings per month ? Old bill was $144 and if new bill was $90 that works save $54 per month or $3888 the first 6 years total....then they would save $1728 per year which would equal $32832 for 19 more years. Don't forget to distract solar cleaning, maintenance and repairs as well the loss of the baseline credit which SCE surcharges under nem 2.0.( you lose the credit and then they penalize $20 to $50 per month) so if you want to know what the real credit is after the desperate utility company is done with all the micromanaging and pilfering it's not $30 cents per kw it's $15 cents. Nem 2.0 is not that great but certainly better than nem 3.0 which is a total sham.
Glad someone was paying attention. You have to do your own math because the solar companies math is ALWAYS way off. With a NEM 3.0 system costing 2x because of 🔋 backup, it’s just not worth it anymore.
@@solargirltara and they've despised being mandated to doing it in the first place. The PUC is a bunch of useful idiots that serve the utility companies.
I love this video!! You broke it down so I can understand myself!! Super simple process it seems!! Do you have Instagram? I’d like to talk to you about more options for my home!
Great video! I know you mentioned it but want to triple confirm - can one have a completed interconnection application (therefore lock into NEM 2.0) BEFORE actually having the system installed? If so, is there any grey area/concerns with straddling that deadline?
Yes you have to sign the interconnection application before the system is installed. The issue is you really need to sign up 1-2 weeks prior to the April 14th deadline - so say April 1st - to safely get the planset (CAD design) of the system so can apply for the interconnection application. I hope that makes sense! Happy to help or answer any more questions Janine or provide a free Solar Consultation. My contact info is in the description and at the very end of the video :)
@@solargirltara Does the exact placement of the panels lock in when you submit the interconnect application, or can you move them (without changing how many or how they are wired) based on findings in the site survey?
@@machalot only adjusting the system size will require a new application. If you haven’t gone solar yet tho it’s probably too late most companies stopped guaranteeing nem 2.0 rates. If your still interested let me know and i can get you grandfathered in but we would need to move asap
@@machalot you can change the design, but you can’t change the number of panels
It took nearly 6 months for SDGE to process our permits in San Diego. It was horrible. But SO happy to finally have it installed and we have NEM 2.0!
Great info! i just got my solar installed just in time for NEM 2.0.. This video helped me to understand
Thank you for this video. I missed the boat on NEM 1.0 and 2.0 and am enrolled in SBP (Solar Billing Plan) which seems okay because I have the back up battery for night time use. I am very fortunate to live in the middle of the Mojave Desert where we get more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Even better is that I work at night away from home when we would be pulling from the battery, or ultimately the grid.
Let me tell you what I didn't like. For years we were on our electric company's Time of Use (TOU) Prime which really benefited us because we were able to use the most electricity during Super Off peak hours especially since I work nights. Once we went solar they changed us to TOU-D which almost punishes someone for using during peak hours (4pm to 9pm). The rate skyrockets to 50 cents a kilowatt hour. Anyone that has kids at home or uses more than their battery can supply will never generate enough to offset that. This won't hurt someone like me but it sure seems like they are punishing people for going solar. Under the TOU prime the peak hours were only 34 cents a kw/h and didn't include weekends.
You did a great job explaining everything!
Thank you! I spent a lot of time making this so I really appreciate the feedback! :)
Heck yeah! You nailed this! This is great information for homeowners interested in making the switch to solar.
4:00 I wouldn't call it progression, it's degression.
Hi Sara, when calculating cost savings did you take into consideration items such as maintenance, efficiency degradation over time, replacement costs at end of life, and insurance???
Mad lol
We applied February 2023 with Tesla and they took so long that we missed NEM 2.0. I live in Orange County, California and have Edison as our provider. Not as good as 2.0, but Edison is offering an additional 4 cents per killowatt on top of the 8 cents for anyone who gets solar the first year of NEM 3.0. I had a bad feeling we were going to miss out on NEM 2.0, so got a Powerwall to go along with our system.
If you applied in February, you should be under NEM 2. If you started the process with Tesla in February then yes, that was too late. You just had to submit plans before April. But starting the site surveying, designs approval and corrections and then submitting plans was too late. I think I had approved designs and plans with Tesla in March and they still managed to get plans submitted before the cut off.
In GA we've never had a 1.0 or 2.0 option. And don't even have one as good as 3.0. Yet our power company claims that it encourages home solar. NOT! It limits the amount of power you're allowed to install and limits how much you're allowed to sell back, requires that you purchase a large battery system. Makes no economic sense here. Yet power company is building its own solar farms and has been charging us for years now to finance a nuclear plant which is, as usual, behind schedule and over budget.
I just made it to NEM 2.0 I just received $19 federal tax credit for my Tesla Solar, Powerwall, new roof, Span panel (video on my channel) and Span Drive EV Charger. It's the first time in years I actually got a refund. I had my solar installed in January and I was doing everything I could to optimize usage. Now that it's summer, it's amazing to see how much goes back to the grid after my Powerwall is charged 100%. I just wish I got two power walls. Looking forward to replacing all my gas cars with EVs so I can charge them with the sun.
I feel like an EM 3.0 makes going with a PPA versus the ownership significantly more attractive, especially since ownership now has to approach or exceed $50,000 in order to be profitable for the owner after 5 to 6 years. Whereas PPA immediately locks in, Wx, electricity bill to a fixed rate per month with a fixed roughly 3% elevator. I don’t see how solar ownership stays viable with such reduced NEM rates at this point.
Such a helpful video and very clear information. Thank you, this helped me understand why I should sign up now.
You're so welcome! Let me know if I can help :) I do all of California! ~Tarashaun
At least by law you do not have to stay connected to pge. Work on getting batteries and a generator and cut them out. Im producing 63KW on a good sunny day and plan on cutting pge out totally. I'm in the country though so not sure how it works in the city.
Cities do require connection to the grid. Do you mean 63 kwh per day? 63 KW is a solar farm!!
good information. We are still unsure where we are with NEM 2.0 or NEM3.O We applied right at the deadline including contractors signatures. That said, the contractor was not able to do the site survey for a couple of weeks after because they were backed up. We are still waiting for SCE to process our application and not sure if we are on 2.0 or 3.0.
Sorry, if you didn't submit the Site Survey along with your plans to the electric company before the deadline. You are under NEM 3.0
I'm looking for those rebates California had for powerwalls. I seen them before and now appear to be gone.
Hi Solar girl got in under Nem 2.0 no batteries. What battery system do you recommend in California?
Hi Jason! Looks like we were born the same year :) I love the Enphase battery and system but it depends on what type of solar panels and invertor you have. I have several options. We sell just batteries if you're interested feel free to reach out! solargirltara at gmail dot com or text me. :)
Interesting video, but I'm more confused than ever because I leased solar unit 20+ years ago and recently bought the system, in which the17 panels had been upgraded in 2015.
I received information from SDG&E indicating that I am in the net metering system, but I don't know at what level, or for how many years.
How do I go about find this information?
You will want to contact your utility company and their net energy metering department to find out what program you are in. :)
Hey solar girl, what company are you working for and what are your warranties?
Hi! I am currently wit Solar Energy Partners. The warranties depend on whether we go with the installer warranty or with a 3rd party warranty. They range from 25-30 years and are bumper to bumper, $0 out of pocket and also include production guarantees. How can I help you? Feel free to contact me :)
Great video. Once a battery backup system is installed along with the solar panel system and operating under NEM2.0, how much will say SCE gives you back in credit for each access Kwh sent back to the grid? Will it be 0.30 cents for the next 20 years?
Yes it's still $0.30 cents but you will charge your battery first before pushing back energy to the grid. Essentially in NEM 2 the grid IS your battery backup but in NEM 3 it's makes more sense to get a battery with solar.
I live in Tulare county , I have my own PV SolarEdge system that I will DIY just need to get my plans done to submit. But I was told from a sales rep now I would need to add a Battery ?
They mean Batteries. Most likely 3 batteries. Which will cost you another $20k even if you are able to install it yourself. (FYI - They will only last you 10 years before you have to replace them, again) Happy NEM 3.0 Rip-Off.
It honestly sounds like a pretty good reason not to have solar, and to move. If you're in a position to invest, why grow roots in a place that gives credits for free electricity, instead of cash compensation for helping mitigate their ineptitude? A place that reduces the credit given by 70%? Why do that when you can move out of California where the sun still shines and the municipality has scaled with population usage and can afford to compensate you for your contribution to the grid? What lunatic would invest in a place where the goods procured from your investment can't be sold, but also, you're told that the exact same goods you were contributing last year are worth 70% less next year, even though the demand will grow *because they said so*? Its bonkers 🤣 Y'all need more electricity than you can make and yet instead of basic economics the people making the rules are like "You supply, we demand. Also, get a battery pack or three and stop asking us for stuff."
I am on NEM 2.0 we installed 27 panels on our 1500 sqft house flat roof no obstructions we are on TOU Prime and in the first 3 months of full solar we have yet to see a credit and have paid SCE $581 in utility bills after paying 44k to have solar not sure were the benefit is. My honest option I feel scammed by SCE and the Solar company. Any suggestions on how my bill could be so high only about $100 less then my normal bill prior to solar
Whoa, 27 panels for only 1500 sq ft? We have 14 and I thought that was a lot. Do you not live in a sunny area?
Im here in California with Edison and about to install tesla solar and i wish I could see the NEM bill since its little confusing.
Lets say you are under NEM 2.0 and sell 1 kwh at $0.3 and buy 1 kwh at $ 0.4 from electric company.
If you use the grid power 100kwh and feed the grid same 100kwh during the certain amount of time like a month. Do you owe $ 0 or $10( $0.4x100 - $0.3 x 100) to the electric company??
If you're under NEM 2 then you will buy back the power you generate at the same you sell. In NEM 3 you would sell it for 75-80% less back to the utility company but buy it back at retail.
I was skeptical but you hada lot of good information. Lot's of people are jumping into the solar business so everybody do a lot of homework and soon, before NEM3
Yes! And I'm happy to do a savings report ASAP so people have a little time to think about it before the deadline.
Thank you! Question; I have a 4.2 kW solar system now under NEM 1.0 with SCE. I am set up to install a 6 kW system soon. I understand I am able to either move my old system to NEM 2.0 along with my new system or I can apply for a multi-tarrif agreement and keep my old system on NEM 1.0 and the new one on 2.0. The downside is that my old system is 6 years old so I would only have another 14 years on 1.0 and then I assume it would go to 3.0 or worse. Would it be better to switch the old system to 2.0 for 20 years or keep it on 1.0 for 14 years? I probably won't use all my solar energy after I get the new system unless I get a EV someday.
That's a really good question! I think you would have to put it in a spreadsheet and do a cost/benefit analysis. Are you getting cash back under NEM 1 or is the 4.2 kw system not enough power for you now (which is why you're doing an add-on 6 kw system?)
@@solargirltara Correct. It is not enough for me now. The extra 6 kw will be overkill (I probably will use half of it now) until I get an EV someday. I'm not too concerned about making money off of it so maybe going to NEM 2 and getting another 20 years would be best. Not sure.
Is Net Metering a subsidy, or do they just pay you what your excess power is actually worth? Do utilities (or their investors) make any money on Net Metering?
If utilities want to encourage battery backup, can you participate in Net Metering with only batteries, no solar? (Buy low, sell high.) If you have an EV with Vehicle-to-grid capability can you use your car as grid storage to cover some of your charging costs?
Nope they will charge you... they want the taxes and they want the money.... its a scam....
These are all GREAT questions! Net metering is the billing mechanism the utility company uses to pay for excess power back to the grid. Right now they are paying approx 75% of what they did in NEM 1.0, which now is approx $0.25-$0.30 cents. The utilities don't make money with net metering which is why they want to reduce the buy back rate as much as possible! NEM 3.0 is approx $0.05!!!
I'm not sure how you would you charge the batteries without solar? But I have heard of programs they are testing where they utility buys back power from people's storage during a black out.
If you have an EV vehicle to grid it enables the charged power to also be momentarily pushed back to the grid from the car battery to balance variations in energy production and consumption - so yes I believe so.
the new method of net metering they make money from you. NEM 3 you only get .01 percent of the market rate and still charged all other fees. you also cant cash out... nem 2 no cash out market rate you got for the power. had to pay all fees no cash out. nem 1 cash out and paid full market plus, got carbon credits to sell at 1000 a credit.
Are the nem 2.0 credits the same for all of California? I thought for San Diego I saw that it was only like 8 cents per kwh credit.
It's not the exact same credits per utility company but each investor owned company was operating under NEM 2 at the time.
What if you need to replace your roof, while the solar system is still on your roof? Thx
Do you already have solar Manny? If not, I can help you get solar and a new roof all rolled into one payment (with gov't assistance) and still get you grandfathered into NEM 2. If you have solar already, you would have to pay labor costs to your installer to remove the system, get your roof re-done and then have them re-install.
Hello..... I am struggling to find the answer hopefully you can help me. I want solar on my small business which is zoned as professional offices.... Is the NEM 2.0 program deadline only for Residential or can it be used on Commercial locations?
Great question! It applies to commercial locations as well.
CAN YOU GET NET MEETING MY INSTALLER NEVER SUBMIT APLICATION AND NOW I AM IN A PROBLEM I HAVE PROFF THAT I INSTALL BEFORE APRIL 15 BUT MY COMPANY DID NOT HAVE EXPERIENCE
Hello Jose, I am so sorry to hear that 😟 I cannot help you get into NEM 2 I’m sorry you are passed the deadline. I can help you look at current options and see if you qualify for energy security and long term savings but it won’t be as much as NEM 2.
Woah! It’s that easy?? Thanks for the really good info :)
Love it! ESP in layman’s terms!! Well and the fact that it came from SEP!!! 🚀
Thank you! I LOVE SEP. They are my solar family and rocking the solar industry with our customer service driven solution. :)
Nut butter is my favorite protein for smoothies!!!
Last year, I was able to get a similar contract as your second example, but with more panels and an upgrade to my electrical panel at a slightly lower price. Maybe there is more inflation this year that caused prices to increase. Do you think that there will be some battery incentives coming soon? I'd love to add a battery at some point.
Hi Kevin! Yes last year the interest rates were much lower, I helped many people get 0.99% APR but with all the rate hikes systems have gotten a bit pricier, however there's still a great overall long term savings. Right now there is a rebate on batteries, usually up to $2k. I personally think the battery technology will get better and prices will go down. You can always tie a battery into your system down the road and it will not bump you into NEM 3 if you are locked into NEM 2. This is NOT the case if someone gets a battery when they are in NEM 3, at least that is what is proposed with NEM 4 that they are discussing now
@@BlenderBabes thanks for all the info, makes sense, I did get that good .99% rate last year. Also good info on the battery, I’ll take your advice and wait a bit longer on the battery. NEM 4.0 sounds like another chance for them to squeeze us solar users so it’s basically pointless…
@@kevo212 yep! And I'm also solar girl tara blenderbabes is my other account! :)
I got solar in 2014 . I had tier billing then About 2 years ago I switched to TOU so I believe SCE switched me to NEMA 2.0? I should have been in NEMa 1.0? Can i or should I be in nema 1.0 i am a high capacity user with a 12k system. I believe that I pay less now in tou billing i always was going to tier 3. Help
Yes when they change you to TOU they bumped people into NEM 2. Utilities suck!
hi
i heard this nem 3 only apply to certain elec provider. does it apply to smud?
It applies to all Californians going solar after April 17th.
SMUD already has the equivalent of Nem 3.0 implemented since March 2022
7:55 is not true. If your original monthly bill was $144, your new bill is $91 (over 25 years I assume?), even with -$9/mo savings… you’re saving $62/mo ($144-$91-$9). $62 x 12 months X 25 years = $18,600 in savings. Say you pay it off in 5 years, that’s $3720 + $34,560 = $38,280 savings, not $153K
If you add another battery to your home, will you go into NEM 3.0 or can you stay at NEM 2.0? Being that you’re already at 2.0 previously
Hello! No if you add a battery in NEM 3.0 it will not affect your NEM 2 status.🙌 Where abouts are you located? ~Tara
sce gives me 9 cents per kwh but charges me 21 cents to get back my kwh...
The latest version of small private power plants (roof-top solar) is bound to fail just like small private generators disappeared as the ecomomies of scale (lower cost per kwhr) created larger power plants and continue to do so. Roof-top solar is a hard sell when you consider the negatives (1) sub-optimal insolation, (2) unpredictable output due to weather, (3) degrading panels, (4) system maintenence, (5) long payout periods, and (6) reroofing complications.
Is it common to sign a solar contract before the site visit?
Yes absolutely. The contract locks in pricing and allow legally allows someone onto your property and to get up on your roof. The site survey is going to tell you for sure if your roof and electrical qualifies for solar. If it doesn't your rep will tell you your options and it just voids out everything if you do not move forward. Let me know if I can help! I do all of California. :) My contact info is at the end of the video and description.
@@solargirltara amazing response
Sorry but I am having a hard time finding some answers…I would appreciate anyone’s help with any of the following🙂 reguarding true up
Does it say on your bill if you’re nem 2.0 or 3.0? I know I should be new 2.0
What is the difference between bill credits which I surrendered 1100 and being paid $00.05 per/ kWh for excessive electricity produced?
The received and delivered smart meter values, when do they reset?
If a nem 2.0 home is sold does it stay nem 2.0?
Was a $75-$145 one time connection fee part of my first true up?
How is a 25 year cost savings calculated if you don’t know what future kWh costs are?
😊I talked to sdge twice and they were very helpful in helping understand what little I do know about true up more so than my Solar company. Apparently I have a community electricity provider so they will be sending me a check for excessive electricity produced it just surprised me that it only pays $00.05 per kWh.
When I first heard about this I assumed the power company was buying your power. It made total sense you shouldn't get retail money for what you generate. However if it's only a bill credit they should just credit a generated kilowatt hour with a stored kilowatt hour.
They did this in NEM 1.0 - it was 1 kwh produced for 1 kwh back. NEM 2.0 buy back reduced to 25% and NEM 3.0 is reducing a further 75-80% of what it is now. It's terrible!
@@solargirltara If they were actually cashing it out it would make sense to only pay wholesale value but as credits it's totally wrong. Making deals with your neighbors to splice into their system so you just use it all may be an answer,
@@jeffhanson6844 The credits are there to cover the power at night and colder months the solar doesn't produce as much as energy used. So need the credits so the homeowner doesn't have pay the utility company. The credits can even be used to cover the monthly grid connection fee which is currently $10-$12 approx depending on where you live. :)
Battery prices just went down with Tesla at $6200 a piece and drops depending on how many you buy.
Leave it to California to give you an incentive with one hand and take it back with the other. You could not pay me enough to live in that nuthouse.
Your state is so boring that you spend your time watching videos on another state’s electricity billing lmao
NEM 2.0 customers are grandfathered to their tariff for 20 years from their PTO date. The 20-year NEM tariff grandfathering does not include grandfathering for your Time-of-Use rate. That means the power company can charge you as much as they want. So as long as you have that meter on your house, you are ratfucked no matter what NEM you have.
The problem I see with NEM 2.0 is let's say I put in 8 units (sorry I have no clue whether it's kw or kwh so I'm going with "units",) that my solar produced onto the grid and then I break even and use 8 units at night. Shouldn't I be charged for the wear & tear I just did on the grid? The more people who have battery'less solar just means more over-generation and wear & tear on the grid. On top of that, eventually those costs are passed down to the non-solar people who are using the grid the same way I am but I don't pay anything.
NEM 3.0 is designed to encourage us to buy batteries. It reduces our use of the grid and helps eliminate the duck curve. Does it suck that your system will cost more? Sure, however it really is closer to what is good for your community as a whole.
Of course this won't be a popular stance, but ask yourself this: what would happen if everyone in CA (yes, literally everyone,) was on NEM 2.0 without batteries?
Yes this is basically what happened in Hawaii and Australia so CA is following suit b/c the grid can't handle everyone going solar only with no battery. There's actually limits in some neighborhoods (approx 15%) that can go solar only due to this.
Hi Tara great video.
If you are looking for the Design support for PV system for making CAD and Permit me and my team is happy to help you.
I think you did a good job at explaining the basics of NEM but you didn't go into the important specifics. It's important to point out that the buy/sell rate is dependent on the time of use (TOU) rate. The TOU rate is highest during on peak hours (usually from 4pm-9pm) and lowest during off peak hours. Meaning you're most likely selling your solar generated energy when the rate is lowest and buying when it's highest. So, realistically you don't buy and sell at the same rate. Yes, on paper you do buy and sell at the same rate but in practice it is very unlikely that you're able to do so.
Yes you are correct I gave an average but it is dependent on when you sell the energy back. There’s currently 576 different rates with SCE and it’s confusing to everyone, for a reason 😲
Sounds like the utility is sick of Solar and is giving much, much less money back to the consumer.
Between NEM 3.0 in California and solar companies like Sunrun ripping people off with their crooked solar leases, solar systems can be a financial nightmare for homeowners.
Personally I'm not a big fan of leases or PPAs, but they are the right solution for certain homeowners and their specific situation. I usually only share full purchases with the best equipment for the best price. I always show the cash price and then share many different $0 down financing options. :) solargirltara at gmail dot com
You should clarify to people that all of your numbers are APPROXIMATES since depending on who your electric company is will determine your actual costs. I have NEM1.0. You say the month grid connect fee is 1 dollar. That isnt true, Ive always paid 20 per month. You say the electric company pays back .025.kwh in nem 1.0, thats also not true as it depends on how much you pay for YOUR specific electric company. You say in NEM 3.0 the electric company pays you back at a rate of .08 per KWH, again NOT TRUE. With time of use billing they could be paying you back several different amounts based upon the time of day you were feeding the grid. NEM 3.0 is pretty complicated actually, depending on your electric company. Again, depending on your specific electric company , those numbers you site could be way off. Be clear to people that your numbers are ESTIMATES just for the sake of doing this video.
Agreed very inaccurate presentation
Yes you are right, the nem numbers I found are supposed to be averages as the billing IS pretty complicated. It will depend where you are but if you are SCE, PG&E or SDG&E you're basically going to get 75-80% less buy back from the utility. How big is your system and where abouts are you? $20/month for NEM 1 seems really high?
@@solargirltara I have a 10.4kw system and live near Modesto. I have MID( Modesto Irrigation District) as our utility provider.
Good response, she is in the business on selling solar panels. She is probably out to rip people off like most of these solar companies attempt to do. She says it takes 5 to 9 years to break even, that's also a lie because the panels these people are trying to sell is super expensive. The solar companies are in the business in helping people but rather making the most profit off a customer. That's why I won't get solar.
Thanks for the great video. I am surprised that I am just hearing about this. Why aren't people rioting in the streets. California basically got rid of net metering. Any extra electricity that you produce you are basically giving away to the grid and then paying full price to buy it back.
Yes it's really because people just don't know about it! When the NEM 3 was firs proposed we did a rally in the streets in Sacramento because the first proposal also included a "solar tax" where the utility companies wanted $5-$8 PER KW PER MONTH instead of just $10-$12 connection fee. That will likely be a part of NEM 4
Bascially, if you snooze, you lose. Ten years ago I got in under NEM 1 with a large solar home system, knowing that the electric company would tighten their rules as time progressed, and they got greedier. Good move ! As the electric companies continue to tighten their rules, I'm ready to buy some batteries to go off-grid if necessary.
Awesome John! I can help you with batteries. Are you in an area where you are allowed to go off grid?
although this is well-done to sell a system, I urge potential customers to READ THE ENTIRE contract! Then run scenarios based on current use (the generalized figures displayed here are inflated). I've been a solar panel user for 8 yrs, now. I have followed PGE/mce's bills for this time. The benefits of solar have been seriously eroded. Now, only 15c/Kw is put in our "solar account" on power to grid production. If I was deciding to go solar these days, I would vote NO. Do your own research bf going into debt...
I really don't like the "savings" mambo jumbo scam! If you would really like saving on solar then you would do:1. Buy what you can afford (don't borrow from bank). 2. Rationalize your power consumption (yes, no AC for inconvenience) 3. Go off-grid ( f. the greedy companies)
The savings is based on a conservative utility escalator that happens every year, not even what the rate increases have been the last few years which is much higher. Rates have doubled every 15 years statistically for the last 60 years so this is based on historical data and conservative forecasting. People are getting loans at a price that is less than their current utility payment and it's for purchasing an asset vs renting electricity. hope that makes more sense. And who wants to use less AC? ;)
Can’t wait for NEM4.0. If you think they are screwing you now, just wait. They just want more money..😮😊
It definitely goes against the homeowners favor with each iteration. NEM 1 customers are still getting CASH checks back for A LOT of money!
Is there anyone who is looking for plan set designer??
sdge buys back at .05 not .30
Yes in NEM 3.0 that is the average buy back rate
Didn’t sun run just declare bankruptcy?
Now is too late for this great information.
So it just gets worse. That I need to know.
Yes each iteration of the net metering program is not as good for customers. However now in NEM 3 once you get a battery you can still appreciate a large savings in electricity by using stored power rather than grid power. 😊
@@TarashaunHausner I'm a believer in off grid solar. No goberment crap or control.
Do not use infinity solar, I have had infinite problems with them.
So cal Edison, please STOP charging me double for our regular use of electricity. We did not vote for it or approve of it, it’s strain on the middle class.
It honestly sounds like a pretty good reason not to have solar, and to move. If you're in a position to invest, why grow roots in a place that gives credits for free electricity, instead of cash compensation for helping mitigate their ineptitude? A place that reduces the credit given by 70%? Why do that when you can move out of California where the sun still shines and the municipality has scaled with population usage and can afford to compensate you for your contribution to the grid? What lunatic would invest in a place where the goods procured from your investment can't be sold, but also, you're told that the exact same goods you were contributing last year are worth 70% less next year, even though the demand will grow *because they said so*? Its bonkers 🤣 Y'all need more electricity than you can make and yet instead of basic economics the people making the rules are like "You supply, we demand. Also, get a battery pack or three and stop asking us for stuff."
Solar is a money losing proposition! You are better off investing your money in a market index fund which will grow faster than the increase in the cost of electricity. You will have more money at the end of 20 years than the person who bought solar.
Good Information but no way the example saved $153,000 over 25 years. That would be $510 savings per month ? Old bill was $144 and if new bill was $90 that works save $54 per month or $3888 the first 6 years total....then they would save $1728 per year which would equal $32832 for 19 more years. Don't forget to distract solar cleaning, maintenance and repairs as well the loss of the baseline credit which SCE surcharges under nem 2.0.( you lose the credit and then they penalize $20 to $50 per month) so if you want to know what the real credit is after the desperate utility company is done with all the micromanaging and pilfering it's not $30 cents per kw it's $15 cents. Nem 2.0 is not that great but certainly better than nem 3.0 which is a total sham.
Glad someone was paying attention. You have to do your own math because the solar companies math is ALWAYS way off. With a NEM 3.0 system costing 2x because of 🔋 backup, it’s just not worth it anymore.
Welp there goes the 10yr payback plan on that solar install 😂😂😂
Relying on politics to make a 30yr commitment is just asinine..
NEM 3.0 just no
If its after April 15 2023 solar is a waste. SCE is then given a license to rip off any new solar customers.
This is not true. Solar is still beneficial and I am still helping people save money and go green in the current Solar program. 😊
Who didn't see this coming?
They've been threatening NEM 3 for awhile now, it just finally passed almost 2 years after it was proposed.
@@solargirltara and they've despised being mandated to doing it in the first place. The PUC is a bunch of useful idiots that serve the utility companies.
@@theprofessorfate6184 Agreed! lol
I love this video!! You broke it down so I can understand myself!! Super simple process it seems!! Do you have Instagram? I’d like to talk to you about more options for my home!
Thank you so much! Yes I'm on instagram as instagram.com/solargirltara