San Diego reaches cap on amount utilities have to buy back solar-generated power

San Diego recently became the first city in California to reach the cap on the amount of solar-generated electricity that utilities have to buy back from customers.

As a result, San Diego Gas and Electric will impose new charges on homeowners with PVs that are estimated to add an extra $115 a year over the 20-year life of a residential installation. In 2013, the state legislature limited the amount of solar power utilities had to buy from their customers to 5% of its total load during peak hours. The new regulations will be in effect through at least 2019.