Solar

If California ditches fossil fuels for greener energy, we can still expect weekly rolling blackouts. But nuclear power is unaffected by weather.

PG&E and Southern California Edison routinely blow their deadlines to hook up new solar panels, an advocacy group says. But after years of complaints they have not been punished.

The state's farmers are divided over a bill that would loosen rules protecting agricultural land. The goal of a bill proposed by Assembly Democrat Buffy Wicks is to seed solar farms on fallowed fields.

Justices told a lower court to revisit their decision to uphold cuts of 75 percent to payments for solar panel owners.

A conflict in the Imperial Valley offers a window into an increasingly sharp debate within California's $60 billion agricultural sector over what should happen as acreage devoted to crops and livestock shrinks.

Environmental groups want to revive higher payments to panel owners. But the subsidies were unfair to non-solar ratepayers, regulators say.

Consumers would get a small credit on electric bills if the legislation passes. Solar companies say the energy measures might not be effective in streamlining projects.

Fossil fuels are still a large source of electricity, but California has made progress with renewables while keeping the lights on.

Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.

These community projects can give renters and low-income homeowners a chance to go solar, but the PUC's action is unlikely to give them the option.