Column: California needs to get its act together on rooftop solar

Government officials in California and the rest of the country should be doing everything they can to support clean energy. In theory, a strong community solar program could help make up for cuts to “virtual net metering” — the solar incentive program for apartment dwellers, schools and farms that’s currently on the chopping block at the utilities commission. From Edison’s perspective, community solar farms are fundamentally different beasts, making greater use of the utility’s power lines and resulting in more profits flowing to solar companies — at least under the industry’s proposal. Although consumer advocates at the Utility Reform Network disagree with the utility on community solar, they’ve got a similar position on solar incentives for homeowners and renters, saying lower payments will help keep electric costs down for everyone else — while encouraging more families that do go solar to also install batteries, a crucial tool for California’s power grid. But there’s a lot at stake — especially considering a new state requirement that took effect this year, requiring all newly built apartments and condos to install solar or sign up for community solar projects.