Study proves (again) that net metering can undervalue solar
At the behest of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Minnesota Power submitted a Value of Solar Tariff plan – and proved (yet again) that as even the best net-metering plan can undervalue what solar means to the grid and ratepayers.
Indiana’s anti-DG solar bill passes Senate with ease
In the face of ever-increasing public opposition and serious questions about the author’s motives, the Indiana Senate approved controversial Senate Bill (SB) 309, which critics say will eliminate net-metering and stop the burgeoning Indiana solar industry in its tracks.
Bill could destabilize growing Kentucky solar industry
The sponsor of Senate Bill 214 says he only wants to bring stability to the market and prevent non-existent cost shifts from harming non-solar ratepayers. But critics suggest the bill would kill a growing industry before it can blossom.
Nevada bill would raise RPS to 80% by 2040
AB 206, introduced yesterday into the Nevada Legislature by Assemblyman Chris Brooks, sets an aggressive ramp up of the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to four-times its current level of 20%.
SEIA seeks Midwest expansion
The national solar association is setting up a committee to focus on solar expansion in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin in a move designed to refocus the association on state-level policy battles, which are where most observers believe the future of solar will now be decided.
Solar+storage helps avoid CA post-net metering program costs
GRID Alternatives and Enphase have partnered on solar+storage project in California’s Imperial Irrigation District (IID) territory that may help new PV customers avoid higher costs as they are moved into new billing programs, following fullfillment of the utility’s 5% net metering mandate.
Maine PUC issues final ruling on net-metering compromise
Current solar customers are grandfathered for 15 years, but customers who sign up next year will see their net-metering benefits decline over time.
Utilities still struggle to win fixed, demand charge appeals
In the latest 50 States of Solar Report from the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, net metering once again topped the list of actions of policies that states tried to change in 2016.
New Hampshire PUC staff suggests net-metering tweaks
The state’s public utilities commission staff recommended four minor tweaks to the net-metering programs, but said the utility had not proven its cost-shifting case to its satisfaction and asked utilities to gather more data before final rates can be determined.
Berkeley Lab finds negligible potential rate impacts from distributed solar
The latest report from the respected national lab finds that even if – big if – behind-the-meter solar is raising the rates of other utility customers, the impacts are tiny, especially compared to other activities.
