Ohio PUC Issues Net Metering Rules
OHIO – On November 5, 2008, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued a net metering order regarding proposed rules to implement S.B. 221, Ohio’s comprehensive energy legislation. This legislation mandates that systems eligible for net metering must be sized to meet the customer’s typical load and can include solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas,…
OHIO – On November 5, 2008, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) issued a net metering order regarding proposed rules to implement S.B. 221, Ohio’s comprehensive energy legislation. This legislation mandates that systems eligible for net metering must be sized to meet the customer’s typical load and can include solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, hydro, fuel cells, and microturbines. The legislation also removed the 1% aggregate capacity limit on net metered systems. Under this order, Commission Staff also commented on third party ownership in that they interpreted the law to mean that it is permissible for a customer to rent or lease generating equipment but that the equipment must be installed behind the customer’s meter. All reduced usage or NEG must also be reflected on the customer’s bill in a leasing arrangement. Hospitals received special consideration under this ruling, in that they may dual meter without a facility size cap, but they will receive market value (essentially avoided cost) for any energy they produce. The generator must remain on the customer side of the meter and the hospital must pay for all electricity supplied by the utility.
Refer to the Case Record for 06-0653-EL-ORD for more information.
