As the energy grid evolves to accommodate more and more solar energy, conflicts emerge.

As solar power moved from thermal panels to photovoltaic systems and as installing solar panels became less expensive, more and more property-owners started generating solar power. Sometimes, these home owners can sustain some of their energy needs while supplementing their solar generation with energy from their local utility. But, increasingly, some have been able to generate enough power to sell some back to the utility.
"Huge political battles are now being fought all over the U.S. about what rate should be paid to people with solar panels for the electricity they produce, and engineers and economists are starting to look at completely different solutions – like redesigning the electric meter to better reflect the true economic value of electrons at a given moment," 99% Invisible writes. Naturally, the utilities would prefer to pay the people generating solar energy, with whom they're directly competing, as little as possible; and the people generating the energy, as well as the companies installing those panels for them, want to get the highest price they can.
For more background on the issue of net metering, the term that describes the issues at the heat of the controversy, see past Planetizen coverage.
FULL STORY: Reversing the Grid

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.

How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.

Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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