California, New York Advance Solar Subsidy Changes

California's Assembly Bill 942, which proposes reducing rooftop solar incentives, has advanced in the state legislature after amendments were made to ease effects on long-term solar owners. The original bill sought to halve the contract period for net metering from 20 to 10 years and end incentives when homes are sold, but changes were introduced following opposition. Proponents assert that non-solar customers are subsidizing solar users by $8.5 billion annually, creating affordability concerns for many Californians. Opponents, including solar advocates and homeowners, argue the bill undermines prior agreements and may hinder clean energy progress. In New York, regulators are phasing out subsidies for small-scale solar, a move criticized for threatening jobs and climate objectives. These developments underscore the difficulty of balancing ratepayer equity with the need to expand renewable energy.