This Would Be Great: New Incentives for Solar in Los Angeles

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Why, with 300 days of sunshine each year, has Los Angeles not shifted to solar power in a big way? Well, it's because solar is still not quite cost competitive (yet). Now it looks like the city may raise taxes on electricity use a bit and use the proceeds to fund a version of "net metering," where people with solar panels can sell excess electricity back to the grid.From The New York Times:

...the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the largest municipal utility in the United States, is poised to pass a roughly 5 percent rate increase on electricity use. The proceeds would be earmarked for renewable energy purchases and programs, including one that would repay people or businesses that use solar panels to contribute to the power grid.

This is a great idea. It lowers costs for individuals and businesses that switch to solar. And if schools and public agencies do it too, that saves everyone's tax dollars. Does anyone know how this fits with California's state net metering situation?Photo (cc) from Flickr user goodrob13.