AB 920: New Buyback Program

Wouldn’t it be nice to never pay an electric bill again and get a check from your utility company? Well, now it’s possible with the recent approval of AB 920.

Legislation passed this October that requires utility companies pay their customers for their surplus solar electricity. In the past if a customer generated more energy than they used the utilities were allowed to receive it for free but now customers will have the option to either get money back or keep the excess electricity.

This should encourage people to conserve because the less energy they use the more money they get from their utility at the end of the year. The Payback on Solar increases quickly just by making small replacements like energy efficient light bulbs and appliances.

The payback rates will be determined by the California Public Utilities Commission and will take effect on January 1, 2010 to be paid out the following year.