The Net Metering

1
The Net Metering InterconnectionLabyrinth

• Rusty Haynes
• N.C. Solar Center
• N.C. State University
• rusty_haynes_at_ncsu.edu
• National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference
• San Francisco, California
• December 6, 2006

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Presentation Outline

• EPAct 2005 Impact
• Other State Developments
• Overall Picture
• Public Resources

3

• labyrinth n.
• An intricate structure of interconnecting
  passages through which it is difficult to find
  ones way a maze.
• 2. Something highly intricate or convoluted in
  character, composition, or construction a
  labyrinth of rules and regulations.
• 3. Anatomy. A group of complex interconnecting
  anatomical cavities.

(Excerpts from the American Heritage Dictionary)
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Energy Policy Act of 2005

• Section 1254 Interconnection.
  PUCs and
  certain nonregulated utilities must consider an
  interconnection standard. Must begin
  consideration by 8/8/06 complete
  determination by 8/8/07.
• Section 1251 Net Metering.
  PUCs and
  certain nonregulated utilities must consider a
  net-metering standard. Must begin consideration
  by 8/8/07 complete determination by 8/8/08.

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Consideration of Interconnection Standard
X
X
X
X

• (At least 34 states as of October 2006)

6
Consideration of Net-Metering Standard
X
X
X
X
X
X

• (At least 27 states as of October 2006)

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Interconnection Standards Adopted(since fall
2005)

• CO three interconnection levels 10-MW limit
• PA four interconnection levels no limit
  specified
• IN three interconnection levels no limit
  specified
• VT two interconnection levels no limit
  specified
• WA 25-kW limit standards for larger systems
  in progress

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Net-Metering Rules Adopted(since fall 2005)

• CO 2-MW limit annual NEG reconciliation
• PA 2-MW/1-MW/50-kW limit monthly NEG
  reconciliation
• LA 100-kW/25-kW limit indefinite NEG
  carryover
• NC 100-kW/20-kW limit annual NEG
  reconciliation

9
Net-Metering Laws Revised(since fall 2005)

• Aggregate capacity raised CA, VT, WA
• Individual capacity raised WA
• More resources eligible OR, NC, VT, VA, WA
• NEG treatment clarified/improved MD, NC
• Leased systems eligible MD, VA

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Spotlight Best Practices

• Maximum system capacity 2 MW
• All renewables eligible ( CHP)

• All utilities must participate
• All customer classes eligible
• No limit on aggregate capacity
• Annual reconciliation of NEG, or no expiration
• Interconnection standards
• No application fee
• No special charges, fees or tariff change
• Customer retains RECs

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Interconnection Standards for Net Metering

• (30 states as of November 2006)

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Interconnection Standards for Other DG

• (19 states as of November 2006)

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Interconnection Standards

• Standards for net-metered systems only
• Standards for net-metered systems and other
  DG
• (November 2006)

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Net Metering Rules
www.dsireusa.org


November 2006
25 kW
100 kW
50 kW
NH 25 MA 60 RI 25 CT 100
100
VT 15/150
100


100
50

40

25
10/400
30
20

25/100

25


no limit
500
PA 50/1,000/2,000 NJ 2,000 DE 25 MD
500 DC 100 VA 10/500

40



30


2,000
10
25

1,000
15

20/100

100
25/100

10
10
10/100

50
25/100
10
50
Net metering is available in 40 states D.C.
State-wide net metering for all utility types
State-wide net metering for certain utility
types (e.g., IOUs only)

Net metering offered by one or more individual
utilities
s indicate system size limit (kW) in some
cases limits are different for residential and
commercial as shown
15
(No Transcript)
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State Leaders in Net Metering (U.S. EIA
estimates, 2004)
Something seems to be missing
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IREC Public Resourceswww.irecusa.org/connect

• State-by-state net-metering table (updated 10/06)
• State-by-state interconnection table (updated
  10/06)
• Model interconnection rule (current)
• Model net-metering rule (current)
• Library of legal documents (updated 10/06)
• Connecting to the Grid e-newsletter (published
  monthly)
• DSIRE www.dsireusa.org

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Contact Information
Rusty Haynes Policy Analyst N.C. Solar
Center N.C. State University rusty_haynes_at_ncsu.edu
919.513.0445