June Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
Laurel’s column highlights planning for growth in distributed generation. And from the states: Arizona study finds overwhelming benefit from DG systems to ratepayers. Georgia PSC approves plan to solicit 60 MW of solar development. New Jersey BPU approves plan to develop 45 MW of grid-connected solar. And more.
WHAT’S NEW AS OF JUNE 2013?
Note from the Editor
Integrated Distribution Planning: A path to sustaining growth
For years, the cumulative amount of distributed generation (DG) on the grid was akin to a drop of water in a glass. That is, a tiny drop in a big glass. But look how far we’ve come in the past few years. Last year the U.S. installed more than 90,000 photovoltaic installations, with a total capacity of 3.3 GW. This represents an 80% increase over installations completed in 2011. If we were to sustain this growth rate, we could expect to see close to 20 GW of solar installed in 2015.
This is great news for distributed generation industries, but how do we plan for that kind of growth? In highly active DG states, we are already seeing stalled DG development, as distribution circuits surpass the ubiquitous 15% penetration level that serves as a review checkpoint in most state interconnection procedures. As a result, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for developers to find circuits with available capacity to host additional DG.
State News in Detail
Northeast States
New York authorizes additional funds for customer-sited renewable energy programs
Mid-Atlantic States
New Jersey BPU approves plan to develop 45 MW of grid-connected solar
Midwestern States
Minnesota enacts extensive renewable energy bill including net meteirng updates
Southern States
Georgia PSC approves plan to solicit 60 MW of solar development
Western States
Arizona study finds overwhelming benefit from DG systems to ratepayers
California ramps up energy storage mandates
Colorado increases Renewable Energy Standard for cooperatives
Idaho PSC agrees to small expansion of net metering capacity but also to harmful interconnection fees
Other States
Hawaii PUC issues decisions in rate decoupling to encourage investment in renewables and efficiency
Upcoming Events
Miscellaneous News
New Solar Guide Could Tap 3.3GW Potential Of HOA Communities
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: June 2013 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.
Editor: Laurel Passera
