By Mary Powell, CEO, Sunrun
Two clear and present dangers are staring us down: climatic change and geopolitical conflict. Both suggest it is the time to move MUCH faster, and more courageously, toward modern-day energy solutions. Today – as our hearts go out to Ukraine – we’re yet again asking what more can be done to avoid dependence on oil that supports the whims of dictators who control large swaths of the fossil fuel economy.
California, long known as a hub of clean energy thought leadership can literally be the shining example of a better path forward. As someone who, for over a decade, was the CEO of a utility routinely cited as the most innovative and influential for work fighting climate change, I observed and leveraged the leadership in clean energy that California was known for, often by blending private capital and a unique climate awareness innovation culture. Today, we have an incredible opportunity to build on that history and harness even more solar energy, paired with storage and sophisticated control systems to achieve our whole home electrification and transportation goals.
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This is an unprecedented opportunity to lead the way on our patriotic duty to deliver meaningful solutions to combat climate change AND geopolitical conflict. As if that isn’t enough, my love of people and the planet drives even greater urgency to move faster so that more customers can have an increased feeling of safety and comfort in their own homes, knowing their power won’t be shut off and knowing that they can wake up to a “full tank” in their vehicle every day.
California has made some powerful strides, but only 10% of our power comes from rooftop solar. The CPUC, CAISO, and CEC all found that we need rooftop solar to triple by 2045 to meet our climate goals. As one of the top solar power producers in the country, leveraging competition, innovation, and private capital to allow customers to drive the clean energy revolution is an advantage we need to accelerate. In fact, roughly 44% of California’s current solar energy output comes from solar homes, which leverage non-ratepayer dollars to help the state achieve its climate goals.
Electrification of our homes and transportation is the fastest route to energy independence, lower cost, and greater comfort and reliability. California has the most registered electric vehicles in the country. Thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom’s continued EV leadership, it’s likely that we will keep this title for years to come. In 2021, it was announced that America’s best selling vehicle for the past 40 years, the Ford F-150, was going all-electric, and can also provide critical backup power for California families.
Today, 40% of EV owners have rooftop solar, and 80% prefer charging their vehicles at home. People want energy independence, rooftop solar + storage to go along with their electric vehicles. Power outages are something I know all too well, as my California community lost power during a public safety power shutoff last fall for three full days. We can’t afford to slow this momentum, especially when our state is currently anticipating even more blackouts from not having enough power on the grid.
Unlike oil and gas, stored solar energy allows for self-sufficiency on both a national and micro scale. Just as Americans planted “victory gardens” to feed themselves and protect the food supply chain during World War I and World War II, self-generated energy from rooftop solar protects our energy supply. Without this buffer, Americans will likely suffer from high energy bills and even more blackouts.
In a time of crisis, we must all contribute what we can, state by state. Our state policymakers can lead by ensuring there are stable, foundational policies that support energy independence and self-resiliency.
Yet somehow, the California Public Utilities Commission proposed a step backward, considering a solar tax, which would make rooftop solar unaffordable for working-class homeowners who are the largest drivers of adoption and penalize the idea of generating your own, clean, local power.
Opposing this measure, however, has already proven to be a rare opportunity for bipartisanship. Both Republicans and Democrats agree we need energy independence, and we need it fast. In California, our industry installs a peaking gas power plant worth of solar every month. Other countries are taking advantage of these resources, and are feeling the need to speed up. It’s imperative that we don’t fall behind or remain saddled with old, expensive fuel sources.
Our move toward more renewable energy is good for our national security and our future. Just last week, the EU announced measures to increase access to rooftop solar. Energy independence means never accepting the whims of a fossil-fuel-powered dictator. Energy independence means predictable energy prices. Energy independence means power from the people through local solar, creating a planet we can be proud to pass on to our kids.
California solar must lead the way.
About the author
Mary Powell is the CEO of Sunrun, one of the nation’s leading rooftop solar and battery companies. Sunrun is headquartered in San Francisco’s ‘Standard Oil’ building.
