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Falling panel prices lead to global solar boom, except for the US

(arstechnica.com)
249 points Jtsummers | 6 comments | 30 Oct 25 16:32 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source | bottom
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reenorap ◴[30 Oct 25 17:44 UTC] No.45762822[source]▶
PG&E's most transparent fraud is by forcing people to move everything to electricity and then forcing them to use less electricity, and then complaining they aren't making enough money so that they raise electricity rates. Last year, PG&E raised rates 6 times. I'm now paying double the per kWh rates from only 4 years ago.

PG&E now wants to charge solar panel owners $100+/month just for the privilege of being connected to the grid. This is on top of their $0.41-54/kWh they already charge, the highest in the nation.

PG&E is a government-supported scam that is charging people whatever prices they want with no protection from our politicians because they are all on the take.

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1. pavel_lishin ◴[30 Oct 25 17:48 UTC] No.45762866[source]▶
> forcing people to move everything to electricity

Can you say more about this? I don't live in California, so I'm not familiar with what you mean.

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2. RandallBrown ◴[30 Oct 25 17:52 UTC] No.45762922[source]▶
I'm guessing they're talking about phasing out natural gas in some places?
replies(1): >>45763107 #
3. AnthonyMouse ◴[30 Oct 25 18:08 UTC] No.45763107[source]▶
I read it as promoting electric cars and heat pumps over ICE vehicles and furnaces.
4. Rebelgecko ◴[30 Oct 25 18:20 UTC] No.45763286[source]▶
A lot of new homes don't have natural gas hookups, and there's been various state and local regulations wrt natty gas applicances
replies(1): >>45763803 #
5. reenorap ◴[30 Oct 25 18:52 UTC] No.45763803[source]▶
Also, they charge natural gas rates that are ridiculous compared to the current price of natural gas. They give rebates on electrically powers appliances and then jack up the prices on electricity, and then tell us not to charge our cars during the summer because the grid can't handle it. These are all excuses on how to keep raising electricity prices instead of dropping them.
6. vladgur ◴[30 Oct 25 18:59 UTC] No.45763878[source]▶
In my area, the government passed the law prohibiting replacement or installation of new gas appliances starting a year and a few months from now.

https://www.finegroupre.com/blog/no-more-gas/

This is all the while cost of the alternative -- electric power -- goes up at least 10% YOY