New York Triples Net Metering Limit for One Utiility
On October 18, the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) decided to triple the net metering limit for solar and other net-metered technologies in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s (Central Hudson) service territory. The decision will help promote and support the development of residential and business renewable energy installations in Central Hudson’s service…
On October 18, the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) decided to triple the net metering limit for solar and other net-metered technologies in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation’s (Central Hudson) service territory. The decision will help promote and support the development of residential and business renewable energy installations in Central Hudson’s service territory.
“Allowing customers the opportunity to generate their own renewable energy is an important tool in promoting State energy policy,” said Chairman Garry Brown. “Enabling and encouraging more customers to be able to install solar cells and other net-metered technologies will help New York meet its renewable energy goals, including Governor Cuomo’s ambitious NY-Sun Initiative, driving growth in the clean energy economy and making solar technology more affordable for all New Yorkers.”
Central Hudson’s net metering limitation will now be increased to 36 megawatts (MW), up from its current level of 12 MW. The increase will make available sufficient net metering in Central Hudson’s service territory to accommodate the solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity installation goal of the NY-Sun Initiative to quadruple the customer-sited solar PV capacity in New York State by 2013, which is now incorporated into the Commission’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), as well as anticipated demand for net metering of other eligible technologies (farm waste, microhydroelectric, micro-combined heat and power, and fuel cells). As part of its continuing efforts to develop renewable energy resources, the Commission will issue a notice in the near future that will call for a review of the net-metering caps of the other major utilities to determine if adjustments are warranted and in the public interest.
Under current rules, electric utility customers installing certain generation technologies rated at or below specified capacity limits may obtain net metering, and electric utilities are required to provide net metering until statutory minimums are met. In February 2011, the Commission approved changes to utility tariffs to strengthen and promote installation of small-scale renewable energy systems in homes and businesses.
Source: NY PSC press release
