April 2014 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF APRIL 2014? Note from the Editor Sizing Up Net Metering In the U.S., net energy metering (NEM) has served as an important plank of a broader policy platform that states have used to facilitate the development of customer-sited renewables. NEM policies in line with best practices allow individuals, businesses, non-profits,…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF APRIL 2014?
Note from the Editor
Sizing Up Net Metering
In the U.S., net energy metering (NEM) has served as an important plank of a broader policy platform that states have used to facilitate the development of customer-sited renewables. NEM policies in line with best practices allow individuals, businesses, non-profits, schools and government customers to receive full kWh-for-kWh credit for the electricity and benefits their on-site renewable energy systems provide.
Markets for distributed renewables can grow extremely fast. In order for states to sustain these markets, the policies that support them must be flexible. NEM, which has been adopted by 43 U.S. states, is perhaps the most flexible policy tool used to sustain the growth of customer-sited renewables. Policymakers have not been shy about amending NEM policies to accommodate more growth. To illustrate, 18 states have raised their original aggregate capacity limit for NEM at least once, and nine states have done so more than once. New York raised its aggregate cap for the fourth time – for PV and certain other renewables – from 1 percent to 3 percent last year. California, still the nation’s largest rooftop PV market, has expanded its aggregate cap seven times.
State News in Detail
Northeastern States
Vermont raises net metering cap to 15%. Read more.
Understanding the next phase of Massachusetts’s SREC Program. Read more.
Mid-Atlantic States
PJM grid operators: We can handle 30% renewable energy integration, and here’s how. Read more.
An array of policies makes New Jersey an unlikely leader in solar energy. Read more.
Midwestern States
Minnesota regulators back solar plan. Read more.
VEC first Wisconsin utility to construct community-owned solar.Read more.
Southern States
Louisiana: Lively utilities meeting held on net metering. Read more.
Movement on net metering in Mississippi. Read more.
Western States
Utah enacts net metering legislation, avoiding customer penalties. Read more.
California says current solar owners can cash in off their excess power for 20 years. Read more.
Other States
Hawaii investigates illegal photovoltaic systems. Read more.
Federal and Miscellaneous News
View an archived version of the newsletter here: April 2014 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
FORMAT
While customer-sited net metering and interconnection policies are primarily addressed at the state level, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to provide state-level policy updates and capture emerging regional trends. Connecting to the Grid is a free, electronic newsletter published each month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC). Click here to subscribe. Editors: Chelsea Barnes and Rusty Haynes.
