November 14, 2012

November 2012 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

WHAT’S NEW AS OF NOVEMBER 2012?   Note from the Editor Facilitating Mass Connections in Massachusetts Massachusetts might not get as much sun as California but, judging by interconnection queues, the Bay Staters’ interest in solar seems just as high. Not surprisingly, Massachusetts was also just placed in the top five most attractive states in the country for…

WHAT’S NEW AS OF NOVEMBER 2012?

 

Note from the Editor

Facilitating Mass Connections in Massachusetts

Massachusetts might not get as much sun as California but, judging by interconnection queues, the Bay Staters’ interest in solar seems just as high. Not surprisingly, Massachusetts was also just placed in the top five most attractive states in the country for solar installations. According to a KEMA report prepared for the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center in 2011, the total volume of interconnection applications grew four-fold for National Grid and NSTAR between 2004 and 2010.  Additionally, for those same utilities, the number of kilowatts reviewed through the Commonwealth’s two more complex interconnection paths (Expedited and Standard) increased seven-fold between 2004 and 2010.

So, how does a state go about managing all this growth?  For Massachusetts the answer has seemingly been: through careful study and collaboration.

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State News in Detail

 

Northeast States

New York PSC triples net metering limit for one utility; opens investigation to examine all other net metering limits

Mid-Atlantic States  

New Jersey BPU considers solar DG siting regulations

Virginia SCC schedules public hearing to consider Dominion Power solar proposals

Midwestern States      

Michigan utility expands experimental renewables program

Wisconsin utilities meeting renewable energy targets

Southern States         

Georgia utility seeks to triple investment in solar through long-term contracts

Western States          

California PUC approves utility renewable energy procurement plans

New Mexico PRC issues proposed rule amendments to state’s net metering and cogeneration rules

Other States               

Hawaii seeks to install solar on all public schools

 

Upcoming Events

 

Miscellaneous News

After Storms’ Massive Blackouts, One State Explores High-Tech Solutions

 

 

Download the full newsletter as a PDF: November 2012 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 Varnado