To not only end solar net metering but then to have a significant charge even for low-import solar/battery sites... ugh. I hope this doesn't go through.
Which does make sense in a way - they can’t tell if whatever your off grid setup is actually is working or has adequate capacity, but they can tell if your local utility connection is working and up (and up to standards).
And renters have needs. And medical equipment, basic fire safety stuff/lights, heat, etc. are generally required for habitability.
Almost every panel should have breakers that can be tripped to manually disconnect the feed from the utility though, if you don’t want to have to worry about being charged for electricity (beyond ‘grid connection’ fees, which aren’t going away).
No need to apologize. I could be entirely wrong as to what they meant.
I think that means you could close your account, bet they don’t change the rules, then reopen the account before selling the house.
I imagine they’ll change the rules if this becomes common. Electricity service is so bad here that our house needs to be off-grid capable regardless of whether we pay them.
I'm personally flabbergasted that a basic solar installation (e.g., 2 kw+) hasn't been required on every house for national defense, just as the impetus for the interstate highway system national defense (and obviously now maintained for the commerce it enables). In a grid collapse scenario, the difference it would make to have every house with even small stand-alone capability (just enough for a refrigerator, communication, some lighting, etc.) vs millions just in the dark, would be enormous. But here we are, just shoveling $$billions to the grid operators.