Future of U.S. solar threatened in nationwide fight over incentives

[Lodestar]

Two sun-drenched U.S. states have lately come to very different conclusions on a controversial solar power incentive essential to the industry's growth.

In California, regulators voted in January to preserve so-called net metering, which requires utilities to purchase surplus power generated by customers with rooftop solar panels. But neighboring Nevada scrapped the policy - prompting solar companies to flee the state.

The decisions foreshadow an intensifying national debate over public support that the rooftop solar industry says it can't live without.

"Without net metering, it just doesn't work," said Lyndon Rive, chief executive of top U.S. residential solar installer SolarCity Corp.

More than 25 of the 40 U.S. states with net metering policies are reconsidering them, according to the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center at North Carolina State University.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/us-solar-policy-states-insight-idUSKCN0W35CN

[cprise]

1. As soon as electric car mfgs make battery packs swappable...

its game-over for utilities as we know them. Buying a second battery pack for the car (to charge during the day) will become an irresistible option for many people with solar roofs.

[FBaggins]

2. That's not feasible.

Batteries for electric cars can easily weigh over 1,000 pounds. You won't be hot-swapping them at home anytime soon.

What you could see is significant storage at home that is then used to charge the car's battery overnight. Home storage will be essential in a post-subsidy environment without net metering.