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.
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
