May 2010 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF MAY 2010? Note from the Editor TOU Rates: The devil (can be) in the details Solar net metering customers face several decisions in setting up their systems but few are as important as the electric utility rate under which they choose to take service. This choice can make the difference between…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF MAY 2010?
Note from the Editor
TOU Rates: The devil (can be) in the details
Solar net metering customers face several decisions in setting up their systems but few are as important as the electric utility rate under which they choose to take service. This choice can make the difference between a reasonable investment and a less financially prudent one. In most states net-metering customers can stay on their current rate or switch to a different one and, in fact, best practices dictate that net-metering customers should not face so-called rate discrimination. A few states and utilities around the country however, effectively make the choice for net metering customers through restrictive rate design. For example, North Carolina’s net metering rules stipulate that customers may only claim RECs if the customer is on a TOU rate, which is generally less favorable for NC net-metering customers.
Some questions that are relevant in choosing a rate for net metering include:
1) What are the definitions of on-peak vs. off-peak? Does this information change from season to season and is it readily accessible to the customer? [Continued in Newsletter]
State News in Detail
Northeast States
Connecticut DPUC adopts network interconnection decision
Massachusetts distribution companies considering moratorium on renewable energy interconnections
Mid-Atlantic States
Maryland takes a big risk with net metering
Virginia SCC adopts final rules for net metering
West Virginia could see a vast improvement in net metering
Midwestern States
Indiana Commission studying an increase in net metering
Kansas Commission issues proposed net metering rules
Wisconsin Governor creates clean energy consortium
Southern States
Florida PSC recommends approving interconnection and net metering changes for several utilities
Western States
California PUC votes against out-of-state RECs
Colorado’s Xcel Energy may ramp down solar energy purchases
Nevada third-party ownership regulations go into effect
Oregon PUC still mulling over rate-setting
Utah interconnection rules become effective and net metering rules are expanded
Other States
Alaska net metering rules adopted; interconnection still under way
Miscellaneous News and Events
UL announces new PV certification program
NREL announces leading utilities for green power
NYC working on solar web tool
2009 saw global PV growth of 15%
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: May 2010 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
