California IOU’s File Virtual Net Metering Tariffs

CALIFORNIA – On February 13, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE) filed virtual net metering tariffs (and related program applications and interconnection agreements) with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). These filings are in compliance with an October 2008 decision which established the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) Program as part of the California Solar Initiative (CSI). Specifically the tariffs:

• Allow for the allocation of net metering benefits from a single PV system to all meters on an individually metered multifamily affordable housing property, without adversely impacting building tenants.

• Allow the building owner/manager to determine the percentage of solar energy credits allocated to common area meters and individual tenant meters, this allocation remaining fixed for at least five years.

• Specify that allocation of annual credits to the common area and to each of the tenant meters may not exceed the associated estimated load (in kWh) for the coming year.

• Credit the percentage (in kWh) allocated to tenant meters across all individual meters based on the relative size of the tenant’s unit. Credits (in dollars) should be applied at the otherwise applicable rate for each meter.

• May require the building owner/manager to be responsible for installing a generator output meter capable of recording production output in 15 minute increments.

• Carry excess credits forward monthly according to standard NEM rules.

• Disallow any additional charges or administration fees of tenants who benefit from the VNM tariff.

SDG&E requested an effective date of March 11, 2009, PG&E requested an effective date of March 16 and SCE requested an effective date of March 15.

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