Montana maintains net metering (for now)
In the first general rate case in 10 years, Montana regulators have rejected NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to change the way net metering customers would be charged. Would these charges have been as catastrophic as they seem?
Idaho Power renews attacks on net metering
The utility has proposed to state regulators a measure to decrease the rate that solar owners receive for their excess solar generation by 50% under the argument that net metering has failed to properly recover the costs incurred to serve customers with on-site generation.
The necessary evil that is net metering
Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggests that as net metering expands, financially challenged electric customers will begin to pay a higher share of the electric companies guaranteed revenue streams – and while this would be true in a static world – the broader picture of the value of individual energy empowerment makes this an acceptable systemic risk.
Louisiana guts net metering
Regulators in Louisiana have replaced net metering with compensation at avoided cost for all power exported to the grid on an instantaneous basis, effective January 1, 2020. As a result of this, the state’s small solar industry is expected to lose jobs.
Cuomo signs mega mandate for renewables, a Montana hollerin’ match, more! : pvMB 7/19/19
It’s a scorcher out there – but at least its a Friday! Today we have the recommendation of a utility leader on how to make solar customers “go away”, new hires at SunPin Solar and EQ Research, and more!
Florida’s stunted customer owned solar grows 76% in 2018
The State of Florida deployed 113 MWac of net metered, customer owned solar power across 13,705 installations last year – 68% more installations and 76% more watts than the prior year.
Net metering analysis: When utilities attack, go big
Aurora Solar ran 45 million simulations to determine the effects on ROI for owners of residential solar due to specific changes in net metering policies and billing structures, and offers market-specific design guidance to maximize said ROI.
$37 for new solar in Vermont, BOfA to build 60 projects, module pricing stable – more!: pvMB 6/7/19
Put your car on cruise and lay back ’cause this is summertime, but Idaho Power is attacking net metering, while Fellowship Energy is winning a prize, Gillibrand is backing a carbon plan, and more!
A tale of two net metering laws
New Hampshire’s governor has vetoed an increase in the capacity of systems eligible for net metering system to 5 MW, calling it a regressive cost burden. Meanwhile the Connecticut legislature passed a two year net metering extension in a 178 to 1 vote.
Peaker envy, veto proof net metering, and utility scale solar growth in New Hampshire
Legislation calling for 15% of peak demand to be met by energy storage is moving through the House; a veto-proof increase in system sizes under net metering goes to the governor; and 215 MWac of large-scale solar projects are seeking various approvals.
