Microgrid Knowledge
Lisa Cohn
February 29, 2016
Net metering and microgrids can go hand-in-hand, but first you have to do your homework.
Across the country, utilities are challenging net metering projects and laws, resulting in time-consuming delays and expensive charges and rate adjustments for some —and thwarted net metering projects for others.
Utilities successfully challenged net metering in Nevada, resulting in high rates that make it uneconomic for the producer, says Chandler Sherman, public affairs manager for SolarCity. And California recently tweaked its net metering regulations in response to requests from utilities, but mostly kept the practice intact.
“The California Public Utilities Commission’s decision in keeping net metering with minor modifications and rejecting the proposal from utilities to impose fixed charges, will be watched closely by other states,” says Brian Nese, a partner in the Energy Development group and the Renewable and Thermal Energy Initiatives at Stoel Rives.
Hawaii and other states are also re-evaluating their net metering laws. For full article.