CALSSA asks CPUC to fine PG&E and SCE $10M for solar interconnection delays

Trade group says utilities routinely ignore state timelines, delaying rooftop solar and storage projects for thousands of customers

The California Solar & Storage Association (CALSSA) has filed a formal complaint with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), calling for a $10 million fine against Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison for repeated failures to meet state-mandated interconnection timelines.

Homeowners and businesses must receive utility approval before operating rooftop solar panels and battery systems, but CALSSA says PG&E and SCE routinely drag their feet, driving up financing and construction costs and leaving customers stuck paying higher electric bills while their systems sit idle.

“There are clear rules on how long the utilities can take for their review, but there has been zero enforcement of those rules,” said Kevin Luo, policy and market development manager for CALSSA. “PG&E and SCE get away with suppressing what they consider to be their competition.”

Compliance rates far below standards

In 2020, the CPUC set a requirement that utilities meet review deadlines for 95% of projects and ordered quarterly reporting. Those reports show that PG&E and SCE’s compliance rates on some steps are as low as 27% to 45%, with others falling between 53% and 81%. CALSSA says the utilities’ performance has not improved in the years since the order.

“It is clear that if PG&E and SCE are not held accountable, they will continue to flagrantly ignore requirements that are intended to make them provide reasonable customer service,” Luo added.

An administrative law judge will review the complaint in the coming months and determine whether fines are warranted.