Changes to Rooftop Solar Billing

CleanPowerSF is considering a successor tariff to our Net Energy Metering program. Currently, CleanPowerSF offers a Net Energy Metering program known as “NEM”, which compensates rooftop solar customers at the retail rate for monthly energy exports. CleanPowerSF is evaluating a transition to a program that more closely aligns with PG&E’s Solar Billing Plan, and is currently conducting an analysis to determine potential policy options that support rooftop solar customers, address ratepayer equity concerns, and ensure financial sustainability for CleanPowerSF.

On April 15, 2023, PG&E implemented the Solar Billing Plan, as the successor to its Net Energy Metering (NEM) program. Since that transition date, PG&E/CleanPowerSF customers who have installed new rooftop solar systems were placed on PG&E’s Solar Billing Plan, but have continued to remain on CleanPowerSF’s NEM program for their generation charges. . Until a new NEM successor tariff is adopted by the SFPUC Commission, CleanPowerSF’s current NEM tariff remains in effect.

Upcoming Outreach and Key Dates

CleanPowerSF is expected to propose its own successor to the Net Energy Metering program in the summer of 2025. The SFPUC Commission must take action on any proposed change before they go into effect.

The CleanPowerSF team is currently working on a technical analysis and policy recommendations for consideration. Below are some key dates* for the development of proposed changes to CleanPowerSF’s solar billing program:

  • February 20, 2025: Webinar: What’s Next for Rooftop Solar in California?

    • California has led the nation in the installation of rooftop solar systems. After recent changes to solar rates and costs, market conditions have significantly shifted. At this one-hour webinar hosted by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, hear from solar industry experts about what’s next for rooftop solar in California.

  • March 24, 2025: CleanPowerSF Solar Workshop

    • CleanPowerSF is expected to propose changes to its solar billing program, also known as Net Energy Metering, in the summer of 2025. The CleanPowerSF team is currently working on a technical analysis and policy recommendations for consideration. We want to hear from our customers on the proposed program changes. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback directly to CleanPowerSF staff. Join us!

  • April 2025: Written comment period.

  • Summer 2025: SFPUC Commission votes on adopting changes to CleanPowerSF’s solar billing program.

  • *Note: some dates may be subject to change. CleanPowerSF will provide updates on any changes to this proposed schedule.

  • In late 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) adopted the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), also commonly referred to as NEM3. NBT is a new program for determining customer compensation for excess electricity generation exported to the grid by rooftop solar systems. It is replacing PG&E’s current Net Energy Metering (NEM) program, known as NEM2, and will apply to future customer rooftop solar installations. PG&E’s NBT program is known as Solar Billing Plan (SBP).

    Existing NEM customers will remain on their current NEM tariff for 20 years from when their system was connected to the electric grid. After the 20-year period, customers will be enrolled in Net Billing Tariff (or subsequent versions of NBT).

    The current Net Energy Metering tariff (NEM2) closed to new customers on April 14, 2023. Customers who submitted an interconnection application before that date must have their systems fully installed and inspected by April 15, 2026. Customers who apply to interconnect their systems after the April 14th deadline will be enrolled in PG&E’s Net Billing Tariff program.

    CleanPowerSF will be accommodating customers on PG&E’s Solar Billing Plan under CleanPowerSF’s NEM tariff for the near term. Existing NEM customers that transition to PG&E’s SBP will remain CleanPowerSF NEM customers and will see no change on the CleanPowerSF side (generation side) of the bill. Customers with new renewable facilities who are placed on PG&E’s SBP tariff will be placed on CleanPowerSF’s NEM tariff.