June 2011 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF JUNE 2011? Note from the Editor Eschewing obfuscation Or… A little info goes a long way Imagine, for a moment, that you’ve never heard of net metering (which is not likely if you’re reading this newsletter) but you’re interested in installing solar panels on your home or business. Where…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF JUNE 2011?
Note from the Editor
Eschewing obfuscation
Or…
A little info goes a long way
Imagine, for a moment, that you’ve never heard of net metering (which is not likely if you’re reading this newsletter) but you’re interested in installing solar panels on your home or business. Where do you turn for information?
In these days of instant access to information, it can be surprisingly difficult for electricity consumers to find information about net metering that is clear, concise, and written for the layperson. And even if the information is readily accessible, it’s sometimes written in such a way that you need a degree in energy policy to understand it. Consumers want solar, not an education in engineering and regulatory issues.
While conducting initial research most people will surf around until they find their utility’s website, random reports, or the DSIRE database. But, even with all this detailed information about state net metering policies, utility net metering programs can differ slightly from one to the next. Furthermore, customers of municipal utilities and electric cooperatives that are not regulated by the state PUC may not have a net metering tariff at all. [Continued in Newsletter]
State News in Detail
Northeast States
Massachusetts continues to work on net metering queue
New York allows remote net metering; allows customers to choose their annual reconciliation date
Vermont enacts wide-ranging solar bill
Mid-Atlantic States
New Jersey Governor announces a scale-back of the state’s renewable energy goal
Pennsylvania PUC begins investigation of retail electricity market
Interconnection in West Virginia, The Sequel
Midwestern States
Illinois Governor unveils broad energy plan
Michigan PSC reduces renewable energy surcharge
Southern States
Georgia PSC Commissioner calls on Georgia Power for more solar deployment
Western States
Idaho PUC keeps100 kW temporary cap in place for large wind and solar facilities
Nevada increases aggregate participation cap for net metering
Montana governor vetoes interconnection bill
Upcoming Events
Miscellaneous News
Jamaica explores net metering policy
U.S. DOE announces SunShot Initiative
U.K. follows Spain, Germany in reducing feed-in tariff
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: June 2011 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) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. Click here to subscribe.
Editor: Laurel Varnado
NC Solar Center, NC State University
