San Diego news reporter Perla Shaheen interviewed HES Solar President of Residential Brad Souza on site at a local solar installation today. We were thrilled to be asked to be a part of this story. The news report was covering the growing rush of San Diego homeowners to get their solar project started in time to grandfather in NEM2 solar sell-back rates on their new solar system. 

Here’s the story on the ABC10 News website: 

https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/solar-companies-rush-to-fill-orders-before-californias-incentive-changes

Ms. Shaheen interviewed the homeowner who (along with his neighbors) hired HES Solar to design and install their solar system. The solar system project going up has already received its interconnection agreement with the utility, but the project was not started this week. She describes the drop in value that will be placed on excess solar after the changes take place on April 14. She interviews the homeowner who points out that the new solar rules are contradictory to the push for more renewable energy production and use in the state. 

Ms. Shaheen mentions that in HES Solar’s 22 years as a solar company in Southern California, the San Diego solar installer has never gotten so much business as homeowners rush to get their solar project started.  

Solar systems do not need to be physically installed before April 14th, but the application process takes several steps and demand is outpacing local solar companies’ ability to process the applications. Once a solar project has successfully applied for NEM2, the homeowner has three years to get the system installed. Of course, sooner is better, as once the system is installed and energized the renewable energy production begins. The rooftop panels, once given Permission to Operate from the utility, produce energy and lower the electric bill. 

In the news story Mr. Souza discusses the increasing rush of customers to get their solar project’s application submitted before the April 14 deadline. He discusses the recent increase of HES Solar employees and resources dedicated to fulfilling solar customer requests. Next week will be the final week for new solar systems in California to lock in today’s good rates for 20 years. The unfortunate reality is the deadline may be sooner than many San Diegans believe. With the expected surge of applications this week and next, getting a project started might need more lead time than normal, even with the extra effort by top solar companies. 

HES Solar has increased its capacity to get systems submitted in time, but HES Solar Energy Consultants (and the news story) urge Californians to get their project started immediately. Waiting for the final days may already be too late. Solar will still be a great option, but homeowners today should try to grab the NEM2 rates while they are still available.