SolarDaily Unique: One Small Contractor Forces CPUC to Blink on 150% Storage Rule
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Aug 20, 2025
On August 13 at precisely 4:38 p.m., Southern California Edison (SCE) pressed ship on an e-mail that landed like a hammer blow throughout California’s photo voltaic business. The topic was scientific: “Suspension of the Paired Storage 150% Rule is Expiring August 15, 2025.” The truth was far harsher: in 48 hours, contractors would as soon as once more be shackled by an outdated CPUC regulation that restricted storage capability to 150% of paired photo voltaic.
The response was swift – however not from a significant commerce group or utility coalition. As an alternative, it got here from one small photo voltaic firm in Torrance, CA: ABC Photo voltaic Integrated.
The Rule in Query
The Paired Storage 150% Rule, adopted in 2014, restricts the utmost AC output of storage programs paired with rooftop photo voltaic to not more than 150% of the photo voltaic array’s CEC-AC ranking. Initially justified as a guardrail in opposition to export “gaming,” it has lengthy since outlived its function. Beneath right this moment’s Web Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), oversizing batteries yields no export benefit. As an alternative, bigger batteries are used for resilience, outage safety, and self-consumption – precisely the capabilities California prospects need in an period of wildfires, warmth waves, and grid instability.
From 2020 till now, the rule had been suspended beneath CPUC Determination D.20-06-017, permitting flexibility in system design. The 4:38 p.m. e-mail introduced the occasion was over.
The Little Man Fights Again
Enter Bradley L. Bartz, president of ABC Photo voltaic. With 25 years within the business, Bartz has constructed a repute for battling Edison on interconnections and calling out CPUC’s pro-utility bias. That night time, he filed a proper extension request beneath Rule 8.3 of Common Order 96-B.
Not like CALSSA’s broad petition filed in June, which seeks to completely revise or eradicate the rule, Bartz’s submitting was laser-focused: cease the August 16 reinstatement earlier than it stranded initiatives.
Right here is the request, in full, submitted by ABC Photo voltaic:
The Authentic Extension Request
Expensive Govt Director Peterson:
Pursuant to Rule 8.3 of Common Order 96-B, ABC Photo voltaic Integrated respectfully requests a 90-day extension of the compliance deadline for the reinstatement of the Paired Storage 150% Rule beneath Determination (D.) 20-06-017.
As presently scheduled, the momentary suspension of the 150% Rule will expire on August 15, 2025, with interconnection functions submitted on or after August 16, 2025 required to adjust to the restrict that the mixture output capability of paired storage not exceed 150% of the CEC-AC ranking of the renewable producing facility. We request that this efficient date be prolonged to November 15, 2025.
Background
In August 2020, pursuant to D.20-06-017, the CPUC suspended the 150% sizing restrict for paired storage to encourage adoption and adaptability throughout the early Web Billing Tariff (NBT) transition. The rule suspension allowed prospects to measurement storage programs for resiliency, peak shaving, and self-consumption with out being sure to the PV array measurement. This strategy has supported deployment of storage for wildfire resiliency, outage mitigation, and electrification.
The upcoming reinstatement coincides with a number of market stresses, together with the lack of the 30% Federal Funding Tax Credit score for photo voltaic and storage just lately eradicated beneath new federal coverage. This creates a big monetary barrier for California prospects and contractors.
Justification for Extension
Avoiding Mission Stranding – Many purchasers presently within the design, allowing, and procurement course of can be pressured to cancel or redesign programs if the rule is reinstated abruptly.
Buyer Hurt Prevention – The mixed impact of the federal ITC elimination and a sudden rule change would lead to larger prices, lowered system functionality, and in some circumstances whole undertaking abandonment.
No Materials Grid Danger – Beneath NEM 3.0 export charges, there isn’t a incentive to oversize batteries for export gaming. Bigger batteries are used for self-supply and resiliency, supporting grid stability.
Administrative Readiness – A brief extension permits utilities, installers, and allowing places of work to replace types, portals, and public supplies, avoiding buyer confusion and inconsistent software processing.
Request
For these causes, ABC Photo voltaic Integrated respectfully requests that the CPUC prolong the efficient date for reinstatement of the Paired Storage 150% Rule from August 16, 2025 to November 15, 2025.
This extension will cut back buyer hurt, enable for orderly transition, and protect progress in California’s clear vitality and resiliency targets throughout a difficult coverage setting.
We respect your consideration and can be found to offer supporting information, undertaking impression case research, or to take part in any associated workshops.
Sincerely yours,
Bradley L. Bartz
ABC Photo voltaic Integrated
The Blink
On August 15 at 2:59 p.m., Edison despatched out a second e-mail. This time, the tone was totally different:
“A request to increase the suspension…was authorised by the CPUC. Because of this, the suspension of the Paired Storage 150% rule is in place till additional discover.”
The August 16 deadline was lifeless. Tasks might proceed. Contractors breathed a sigh of aid.
Why the CPUC Folded
This wasn’t nearly one submitting. The CPUC is beneath heavy stress. On August 7, the California Supreme Court docket ordered a re-review of CPUC’s rooftop photo voltaic web metering cuts, signaling deep concern that the Fee has leaned too far towards investor-owned utilities on the expense of ratepayers.
Approving ABC Photo voltaic’s extension request was injury management. It prevented stranded initiatives and helped the Fee keep away from reinforcing the notion that it serves utilities first and Californians final.
Impartial vs. Affiliation
It is true: CALSSA’s June petition will decide the rule’s long-term destiny, possible changing the cap with a compromise on grid upgrades and export limits. However let’s be clear – CALSSA’s submitting did not cease the August 16 cutoff.
That credit score goes to at least one small contractor submitting late at night time: ABC Photo voltaic.
The Larger Lesson
Coverage fights in California typically really feel like David vs. Goliath. However this week, David gained. The CPUC blinked, not due to business giants, however as a result of one contractor stood up and refused to let utilities dictate the phrases of resilience.
As Bartz places it: “This time, the little man gained.”
Associated Hyperlinks
ABC Solar Incorporated
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