This month’s CACE call featured an important conversation on debunking one of the most persistent myths in California energy policy: the claim that rooftop solar creates an $8.5 billion “cost shift.”
Dr. Richard McCann, Partner at M Cubed, walked members through the real numbers, demonstrating how this widely circulated figure is not only misleading, but off by nearly $10 billion. In fact, rooftop solar saves ratepayers approximately $1.5 billion each year, offering significant value while supporting clean energy, grid resilience, and community empowerment.
This discussion was especially relevant as state agencies, utilities, and advocates continue to debate the role of distributed solar in California’s affordability crisis. Understanding the actual data equips CACE members to push back against harmful narratives and champion fair, community-centered energy policy.
