Solar Lobby Questions Gov. Brown's Commitment To Solar Panel Industry

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — As world leaders discuss climate change, Gov. Jerry Brown is preparing to head to Paris this week to provide input.

But at home, Brown is facing criticism for not doing enough to protect California's solar panel industry.

"They are very aggressive in their lobbying as are the utilities and my job is to do what is right for California," Brown said. "No one has promoted solar energy as much and as long as I have and I will continue to do that."

Brown recently signed an ambitious climate change bill, which would make 50 percent of the state's energy use come from renewable sources by 2030. But some believe by then, solar energy consumers may lose more money than they save.

Bernadette Del Chiaro, executive director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association, says utility companies are pressuring the Public Utilities Commission to stifle the solar industry's growth.

"The utilities are threatened by their consumers going solar and their proposal right now before the Brown administration is to basically do away with the market of solar," she said.

Brown calls it political rhetoric on both sides.

"Remember the way government works is we have a cacophony of competing lobbyists' claims," he said. "The electric utilities are pushing one way and the solar installers and solar companies are pushing the opposite direction."

As the world shifts its focus, discussing climate change and energy usage, Del Chiaro says the state sits center state.

"On the eve of the Paris climate talks we think this is not the right time to slow down California's ability to go solar," she said.

Currently, solar users can sell back energy their panels generate that they don't use themselves. The solar industry fears California will end the buyback program.

"What they are trying to do is make solar 2-3 times more expensive for consumers than it is today. Which people will understand if you make solar more expensive that negates the incentive to go solar which will ruin the solar market here in California," she said.

Brown says there will still be incentives for people to install solar panels.

"California is going to be a leader in this," he said.

He says any future changes will still make solar desirable and affordable.

"And avoid any sticker shock by way of rates. These are very committed and very learned people," he said.

Brown says the PUC is expected to make an announcement on changes to the solar panel industry in the next few weeks.