San Diego Residents Lead Nation in Rooftop Solar Adoption

The traditional one-way electric system is rapidly giving way to a dynamic network capable of handling two-way power flows. As residents increasingly contribute energy back to the grid, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has overhauled its interconnection process to keep pace with the demand. By streamlining internal coordination, the utility has reduced the average wait time for solar project approval to approximately three days, consistently outperforming state benchmarks.

Scott Crider, president of SDG&E, emphasized that the utility’s primary role is to evolve alongside its customers. Maintaining system reliability remains a priority; the company has held the title of the most reliable electric utility in the West for 20 consecutive years according to PA Consulting. To further bolster this stability, a growing number of customers are pairing solar arrays with battery storage, allowing them to capture excess daytime generation for use during peak evening hours. This transition underscores a broader movement toward a localized, flexible energy system that balances individual generation with the necessity of a robust, interconnected grid.