Pennsylvania PUC Proposes Net Metering Changes
On February 20, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued proposed rules to amend the state’s portfolio standard, interconnection and net metering rules through a single rulemaking proceeding. The proposed changes to the existing regulations include, but are not limited to, the following: The addition of definitions for aggregator (to aggregate renewable energy credits from…
On February 20, the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued proposed rules to amend the state’s portfolio standard, interconnection and net metering rules through a single rulemaking proceeding.
The proposed changes to the existing regulations include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The addition of definitions for aggregator (to aggregate renewable energy credits from small DG systems), default service provider, grid emergencies and microgrids;
- Revisions to the interconnection rules to reflect the increase in limits on customer-generator capacity (from 2 MW to 5 MW);
- Inclusion of a process for obtaining Commission approval to net meter alternative energy systems with a nameplate capacity of 500 kilowatts or greater;
- Clarification of the virtual meter aggregation language to require onsite load;
- Clarification of net metering compensation for customer-generators receiving generation service from electric distribution companies (EDCs), default service providers (DSPs) and electric generation suppliers (EGSs).
- Revisions to the definitions for low-impact hydropower (to include a definition for “moving water impoundments”) and biomass to conform with the Act 129 of 2008 amendment.
- Clarification of Commission procedures and standards regarding generator certification and the use of estimated readings for solar photovoltaic facilities.
- Clarification of the process for verification of compliance with the AEPS Act.
- Standards for the qualification of large distributed generation systems as customer-generators.
- Revision of the definition for year and yearly as it applies to net metering to the period of time from May 1 through April 30.
The proposed rules can be downloaded here or found in Docket L-2014-2404361.