Solar net metering bill heads to Schwarzenegger’s desk

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The state Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill Thursday that would expand a credit program for Californians who generate excess electricity through their home solar power systems.

The bill, AB 510, sponsored by Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), has already passed the Senate and now goes to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is expected to sign the measure into law next week.

Under the state’s net metering program, utilities extend credit to consumers who contribute clean energy to the state’s electricity grid. The program currently caps the amount of electricity eligible for the credit to 2.5% of each utility’s peak power demand. The measure passed Thursday doubles that cap to 5%.

-- Tiffany Hsu