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In this section, you will find summaries of state net metering
activity. For more information on a specific program, click
on the link within the summary to access the full text of
the rule, order, or legislation.
Alabama
There is no activity to date.
Alaska
There is no activity to date.
Arizona Net Billing Rules
Arizona Corporation Commission Decision No. 52345 (July
27, 1981) allowed net metering for qualifying facilities
(under the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act of 1978
[PURPA] and rules set forth by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission [FERC]) of 100 kW or less. Excess customer generation
would be purchased by utilities at the avoided cost. The
commission’s decision applies to all utilities in Arizona,
including investor-owned utilities and rural electric cooperatives.
However, no tariffs were filed by the utilities to implement
it because there was no subsequent customer demand for net
metering. In 1993, Arizona Public Service Company (APS)
filed a net metering tariff, EPR-3, to accommodate residential
customers who installed photovoltaic systems.
Subsequently, in July 1996, EPR-3 was replaced by EPR-4
which allowed all renewable energy technologies instead
of only solar. Tariffs are for APS’ residential customers
only. The installed capacity limit is 10 kW or less, not
the 100 kW permitted under the 1981 order. A single non-ratcheted
meter is allowed to turn backward to register the net energy
consumed or produced during a normal billing cycle. Customers
buy electricity from APS at the standard retail rate for
their class. Excess generation is purchased at APS’ avoided
energy cost. No special liability insurance requirement
is imposed. There are currently less than five net metering
customers in the APS system. For further information, refer to Arizona Corporation Commission
Decision No. 52345.
Arkansas Net Billing Law
On April 19, 2001, Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee signed
into law a bill (HB 2325) requiring the state’s electric
utilities to offer net metering for solar, wind, hydroelectric,
geothermal, and biomass systems, and fuel cells and microturbines
fueled by renewable sources. Eligible systems include residential
systems of up to 25 kW and commercial systems of up to 100
kW located in state. The legislation, which takes effect
on October 1, 2001, tasks the Arkansas Public Service Commission
(PSC) to develop rules covering the terms and conditions
of interconnection and net metering contracts. According
to the Act, the PSC “may authorize an electric utility to
assess a net-metering customer a greater fee or charge,
of any type, if the electric utility’s direct costs of interconnection
and administration of net-metering outweigh the distribution
system, environmental and public policy benefits of allocating
the costs among the electric utility’s entire customer base.”
For further information, refer to the full text of the
bill (HB 2325).
Contact: Chris Benson
Arkansas Department of Economic Development (Energy Office)
Phone: (501) 682-8065
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.1-800-arkansas.com/
California Net Metering Law
On April 11, 2001, California Governor Gray Davis signed
into law a bill (ABX1 29) modifying the state’s net metering
law by raising the capacity requirement for eligible solar
and wind systems from 10 kilowatts to 1 megawatt. Under
the law, utilities are required to bill net metered customers
on an annual basis and any excess generation is granted
to the utility at the end of the year. The law also requires
utilities to develop standard net metering contracts and
to provide customers with net electricity consumption information
on a monthly basis. The provisions remain in effect until
January 1, 2003.
For further information, refer to the bill, ABX1 29.
Contact: Les Nelson
California Solar Energy Industries Association
Phone: (714) 586-2470
E-Mail: [email protected]
Colorado Net Metering Program
Net metering is not required by the state, but several
utilities offer net metering options for their customers
with small generators. For example, the Public Service Company
(PSC) of Colorado has had a net metering option for small
qualifying facilities and small customer-owned generators
of 10 kW or less since 1994. The net metering option is
specified in the company’s Safety, Interference and Interconnection
Guidelines for Cogenerators, Small Power Producers, and
Customer-Owned Generators, revised in April 1994. A single
meter is allowed to run backward to register net customer
consumption or net generation. Any excess generation during
the normal billing cycle is granted to the utility without
compensation. The PSC cited reducing administration and
account costs as the reason for implementing net metering
for small qualifying facilities and customer-owned generators.
Holy Cross Electric Association, Inc. offers a net metering
option to customers with photovoltaic (PV) systems. All
customers can participate and there is no limit on the size
of individual PV systems, but the pilot program has a 50
kW cap on the total PV capacity under net metering. Customers
will not be compensated for any excess generation during
the normal billing cycle. The City of Glenwood Springs Electric
Department also allows net metering for residential customers
with small PV systems.
For further information, refer to PSCo’s Safety, Interference
and Interconnection Guidelines for Cogenerators, Small Power
Producers, and Customer-Owned Generators - Revised, April
1994.
Contact: Chief
Colorado Public Utilities Commission
Phone: (303) 894-2000
E-Mail: [email protected]
Connecticut Net Metering Order
According to Connecticut’s restructuring law Public Act
98-28 (RB 5005), the state’s investor-owned utilities must
offer net metering to all residential customers generating
electricity with solar, wind, hydro, fuel cell, or sustainable
biomass systems, effective January 1, 2000. Net metering
provisions were included in utility tariffs approved by
the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC).
The tariffs call for utilities to offer net metering for
qualifying facilities with a generating capacity up to 50
kW (100 kW for renewable energy resources). Net metering
was required as early as 1990 under rate tariffs filed with
the DPUC (CPUCA No. 159).
For further information, see the Restructuring Law, Public
Act 98-28 (RB 5005).
Contact: Mark Quinlan
Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control
Phone: (860) 827-2691
Fax: (860) 827-2613
Delaware Net Energy Metering Law
In 1999, the state legislature adopted an amendment to
HB10 and required all utilities in the state to offer net
metering to customers operating renewable energy systems
of 25 kilowatts or less. The requirement applies to all
classes of customers and there is no statewide limit. The
treatment of any excess generation is to be determined by
the Delaware Public Service Commission.
Contact: Charlie Smisson
Delaware Energy Office
Phone: (302) 739-5644
E-Mail: [email protected]
District of Columbia Net Metering Law
Residential and commercial utility customers in the District
of Columbia can net meter renewables, fuel cells, and microturbines
up to 100 kW in capacity.
Contact: Charles Clinton
District of Columbia Energy Office
Phone: (202) 673-6700
Fax: (202) 673-6725
Florida Net Metering Programs
Florida has no state-wide net metering program, although
there are several isolated utilities offering net metering
options.
JEA (formerly Jacksonville Electric Authority) offers net
metering and will provide, at the customer’s expense, a
second meter to measure energy deliveries to the utility.
Contact: Bruce Dugan of JEA
Phone: (904) 665-6232
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jea.com
New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission offers net metering
for photovoltaics for commercial, industrial, residential
customers and schools and follows the Florida Solar Energy
Center and industry standards regarding standards of equipment.
Contact: Gregg Goldsworthy
New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission
Phone: (386) 427-1361
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ucnsb.net
Georgia Net Energy Metering Law
On April 28, 2001, Georgia Governor Roy Barnes signed into
law a net metering requirement that allows customer generators
to be compensated at a higher than avoided cost rate if
the utility uses the power to supply a green pricing program.
Under the law, customers can be compensated for any power
produced in excess of on-site needs or for all of the power
generated from the system, depending on the metering arrangement
selected.
The net metering requirement applies to solar photovoltaic,
fuel cell, and wind systems of up to 10 kilowatts (kW) in
size for residential applications and up to 100 kW for commercial
applications. Utilities are required to purchase the excess
power from an eligible customer generator until the cumulative
renewable energy capacity reaches 0.2% of the utility’s
system peak load.
For further information, see the full text of legislation,
Georgia Cogeneration and Net Metering Act (SB93).
Contact: Rita Kilpatrick
Georgians for Clean Energy
Phone: (404) 659-5675
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.cleanenergy.org/
Hawaii Net Energy Metering Law
On June 25, 2001, Hawaii Governor Benjamin Cayetano signed
into law a bill (HB173) requiring the state’s electric utilities
to offer net metering to residential and small commercial
customers with solar, wind, biomass and hydroelectric systems
of 10 kW or less. Under the law, customers who produce more
electricity than they consume during a month will be able
to net their energy use to zero, but will not receive any
compensation for any excess generation. The law requires
utilities to use uniform, standardized interconnection contracts
and offer net metering to customers on a first-come first-served
basis until total net metering capacity equals 0.5% of each
utility’s peak demand.
For further information, refer to HB 173.
Contact: Maria Tome
Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and
Tourism
Phone: (808) 587-3809
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ert/
Idaho Net Metering Order
Idaho PUC issued Order No. 26750 on January 22, 1997 modifying
the original net metering legislation of 1980. Under the
new tariff, net metering is available only to residential
and small commercial class customers who do not have demand
metering. There are no restrictions on generation technologies,
but the generating capacity must be 100 kW or less. The
excess generation is purchased by Idaho Power at the avoided
cost. There is an extra monthly charge to recover the nongeneration-related
cost of the utility. Net metering customers are required
to have $1,000,000 liability insurance. The net metering
orders apply to investor-owned utilities only. Rural electric
cooperatives in Idaho are not rate-regulated by PUC, and
they do not offer net metering to their customers.
For further information on existing net metering legislation,
refer to Order No. 16025 and Order No. 26750.
Idaho’s net metering law is currently being revised. Please
call the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for more information.
Contact: Rick Sterling
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Phone: (208) 334-0351
Fax: (208) 334-3762
Illinois Net Metering Program
In April 2000, ComEd, the investor-owned utility serving
the city of Chicago and surrounding areas, began a Wind
and Photovoltaic (PV) Generating Pricing Experiment, through
which it is offering net metering on a limited basis for
wind and photovoltaic systems of up to 40 kW in size. Under
the program, ComEd pays customers its avoided costs for
any excess power put back into the grid each month. ComEd
will also pay each customer on an annual basis for the total
kilowatts put back into the grid (up to the amount of power
the customer received from the utility). Customers will
be paid at a rate representing the difference between the
average avoided cost paid to the customer and the average
retail rate paid by the customer during the year.
For further information, see the description of ComEd’s
Wind And Photovoltaic Generation Pricing Experiment.
Contact: Denise Bechen
Exelon Corporation
ComEd Energy
Phone: (630) 576-6783
E-Mail: [email protected]
Indiana Net Billing Order
Net metering is available in Indiana under the 170 Indiana
Administrative Code 4-4.1-7 issued in 1985. Qualifying facilities
that generate less than 1000 kWh per month can request the
net metering option. Excess generation is granted to the
utilities. If the qualifying facility can generate more
than 1000 kWh a month, it may request that the utility purchase
its generation, but two meters will be installed to measure
the production and usage. The utility will buy back the
energy at the avoided cost. About 20 small wind power facilities
statewide have signed up for this program. Rural electric
cooperatives in Indiana are not rate-regulated by the Indiana
Utility Regulatory Commission, and they are not required
to offer net billing to their customers.
For further information, refer to 170 Indiana Administrative
Code 4-4.1-7.
Contact: Laura Cvengros
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Phone: (317) 233-5315
E-Mail: [email protected]
Iowa Net Billing Order
Created by the Iowa Utilities Board in 1983, Iowa’s net
metering rule allows customers with alternative energy generation
systems to sell electricity to their investor-owned utilities
on a netted basis against their metered retail usage. The
rule applies to all customer classes and requires that customers’
net excess generation be purchased by the utilities at their
avoided cost. It is worth noting that Iowa Utilities Board
has also required the state’s investor owned utilities to
purchase up to a total of 105 MW of renewable energy under
a separate ruling.
An Iowa district court order (issued 8/24/99) currently
prevents the IUB from enforcing its net metering rule. This
court ruling may be reconsidered in the future, in light
of a recent FERC ruling (issued 3/28/01) upholding the IUB
rule.
For further information, refer to Iowa Administrative Code
Paragraph 15.11(5).
Contact: John Pearce
Iowa Utilities Board
Phone: (515) 281-5679
E-Mail: [email protected]
Kansas
There is no activity to date.
Kentucky Net Metering Law
On March 14, 2002, the Kentucky Public Service Commission
issued an order allowing Louisville Gas and Electric and
Kentucky Utilities to offer net metering on a limited basis
to qualifying customers. The pilot net metering programs
will be offered to the first 25 customers of each utility
for 36 months. Eligible systems include solar, hydro, or
wind energy systems of up to 10 kW for residential customers
and up to 25 kW for non-residential customers. Any excess
generation is to be carried forward to the next billing
period. Customers will not be paid for excess generation.
For further information, refer to the March 14, 2002 Order
(PDF Download: 16K).
Contact: Joshua Bills
Kentucky Solar Partnership
Phone: (606) 256-0077
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.a-spi.org/solar
Louisiana
There is no activity to date.
Maine Net Metering Rule
In December 1998, the Maine Public Utilities commission
adopted a net metering rule (Ch. 13 of PUC Rules and Regulations),
that is to take effect when the market is open to retail
competition on March 1, 2000. When the rule takes effect,
customers will be able to put excess electricity generated
from renewable sources back on the grid and receive a credit
for any excess kilowatt hours generated on the next monthly
bill. The rule applies to all utilities in the state and
to qualifying facilities with a capacity of less than or
equal to 100 kW.
Net metering in Maine has been available since 1987. It
is ordered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
through Code ME R., Chapter 36, Sections 1(A)(18) and (19),
Section 4(C)(4) which provides cogeneration and small power
production regulations. Qualifying facilities with a generating
capacity less than 100 kW are eligible for the net metering
program. Excess generation is purchased at the utility’s
avoided cost. There are no limits on how many customers
can qualify or on total capacity under the net metering
program.
For further information, refer to Maine Public Utilities
Commission’s Code ME R., Chapter 36,
Sections 1(A)(18) and (19), Section 4(C)(4).
Contact: James Connors
Maine State Planning Office
Phone: (207) 287-8938
E-Mail: [email protected]
Maryland Net Metering Law
Maryland enacted a net metering law (Annotated Code of
Maryland Article 78, Section 54M, Provision to provide net
energy metering for electric customer-generators) on October
1, 1997.
Only residential customers with solar energy facilities
are eligible for net metering in Maryland. The individual
solar electricity generating facility cannot be more than
80 kW in size. A statewide limit of 34.722 MW (0.2% of the
projected state 1998 peak load) is contained in the law.
Utilities must develop a standard contract for net metering
customer-generators. They cannot assess any special or extra
charges for customer-generators. Billing is done monthly.
The solar energy facilities must meet all applicable national
safety and performance standards. Utilities cannot require
additional control devices or testing if a customer-generator’s
facility meets these standards. However, the law allows
Public Utilities Commission to adopt additional control
and testing requirements to protect public safety and maintain
system reliability.
Net-metering customers receive no credits for any excess
electricity flowing into the utility grid. The law also
requires that net-metering customers pay the applicable
customer charges for the months that excess generation occurs.
For further information, refer to Annotated Code of Maryland
Article 78, Section 54M, Provision to provide net energy
metering for electric customer-generators.
Contact: Geri Nicholson
Maryland Energy Administration
Phone: (410) 260-7207
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://energy.state.md.us
Massachusetts Net Metering Program
The Massachusetts net metering program was originally ordered
by the Department of Public Utilities through 220 Code of
Massachusetts Regulation, Section 8.04(2)(C), in 1982. In
1997, the Department of Telecommunications and Energy amended
the net metering program through 220 Code of Massachusetts
Regulation, Section 11.04(7)(C). The 1997 amendments increase
the allowable capacity from 30 to 60 kW or less and stipulate
that any net energy generated by the qualifying facility
during the course of a month be credited at the average
monthly market rate to the next month’s bill. It is assumed,
however, that there will be no net generation on a yearly
basis, and any credits are therefore carried over from month
to month. At no point does the utility actually purchase
power from the facility. The intent of the program is to
encourage small power production facilities and diversify
the resource mix of the state.
For further information, refer to 220 Code of Massachusetts
Regulation, Section 11.04(7)(C).
Contact: Public Information Officer
Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
Phone: (617) 727-4732
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mass.gov/doer
Michigan
There is no activity to date.
Mississippi
There is no activity to date.
Missouri
There is no activity to date.
Minnesota Net Billing Law
Net metering in Minnesota is authorized under §216B.164,
subp. 5, of the Minnesota Statutes and Section 7835.0100
- 7835.9910 of the Minnesota Department of Public Service
Rules.
Minnesota’s statute based net metering laws were established
in 1983 and apply to all of the state’s utilities’ investor-owned
utilities, municipalities and rural cooperatives. Qualifying
facilities of 40 kW or less are eligible for the program
and there is no limit to statewide capacity allowed under
net metering. Utilities must purchase net excess generation
at the average retail utility rate. The average retail rate
is the total annual class revenue from sales of electricity
minus the annual revenue resulting from fixed charges, divided
by the annual class kWh sales.
The purchase of net excess generation at retail rates distinguishes
Minnesota’s net metering legislation from programs in most
other states. Only Wisconsin also provides for the purchase
of net excess generation at retail rates. It is also worth
noting that Minnesota, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and California
are the only states where net metering is mandated in statute
by the state legislature. As of 2000, the Minnesota Department
of Commerce reported that there were 110 facilities with
net billing arrangements (23 photovoltaic and 87 wind facilities).
For further information, refer to Minnesota Statutes 1997
- 216B.164 - Cogeneration and small power production.
Contact: Mike Taylor
Minnesota Department of Commerce (Energy Division)
Phone: (651) 296-5175
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.commerce.state.mn.us/pages/EnergyMain.htm
Montana Net Metering Law
In 1999, the state legislature adopted legislation (SB
409) requiring all investor-owned utilities in the state
to offer net metering to customers with solar, wind, and
hydroelectric systems of 50 kilowatts or less. All classes
of customers are eligible to receive net metering and there
is no statewide limit. Customers can apply the credit for
electricity generated from their system to the following
month; however, at the end of each calendar year, any excess
generation is granted to the utility.
Contact: Mark Hines
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Planning, Prevention and Assistance Division
Phone: (406) 444-6769
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.deq.state.mt.us/ppa/
Nebraska
There is no activity to date.
Nevada Net Metering Law
Net metering was established in Nevada by Senate Bill 255
on July 1, 1997. The law provides for net metering for customer-generators
using wind or solar energy systems of less than 10 kW. Utilities
are required to offer net metering to 100 customer-generators
in their service territories.
Utilities are also required to supply a two-way meter to
measure flow in both directions, and utilities are prohibited
from adding any additional charges to the bills of those
customers participating in net metering. Furthermore, utilities
cannot place any additional standards or requirements on
customer-generators beyond those requirements established
by the National Electric Code and Underwriters Laboratories.
Utilities are not required to pay for any net excess generation
by the customer-generator. Customers have the option of
annualizing the net metering calculation by having net excess
generation at the end of a month credited toward the following
month’s bill.
For further information, refer to Nevada Senate Bill 255.
Contact: Diana Howard
Office of the Governor: Nevada State Office of Energy
Phone: (775) 687-5975
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://energy.state.nv.us
New Hampshire Net Metering Order
In January, 2001, the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
(PUC) issued final net metering rules implementing the state’s
net metering law, HB485. Under the law, all utilities selling
power in New Hampshire are required to allow net metering
for customers with generating facilities using wind, solar,
or hydro power. The eligible generating system has to be
located on the customer’s premises and with generating capacity
of 25 kW or less. New Hampshire wants to limit the availability
of net metering to early adopters of small-scale renewable
generating technologies only and, therefore, set a low limit
of 0.05% of the utility annual peak demand as the overall
available net metering capacity of each utility. This limit
will be reviewed by the Public Utility Commission within
six months after the limit is reached in any one utility’s
service area to see if they should be continued or amended.
Net metering will be accomplished using a single meter
capable of registering the electricity flow in two directions.
Utilities can install two meters at their own expenses.
The customers under net metering program can sell electricity
to up to three retail customers other than the local electric
utility with whom they are interconnected. Excess net generation
by the net metering facilities is carried over to the next
billing period as a credit to the customers. Detailed interconnection
requirements regarding safety, reliability, and power quality
will be determined by the Public Utility Commission.
For information on the rules, contact Peter Kelley of the
PUC or see Final Rules - PUC 900.
For additional information, refer to New Hampshire HB485,
January 15, 1998.
Contact: Tom Frantz
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
Phone: (603) 271-2431
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.puc.state.nh.us/
New Jersey Net Metering Rule
In January 1999, the New Jersey legislature enacted restructuring
legislation (Bill #A16) requiring all utilities in the state
to offer net metering to residential and small commercial
customers generating electricity with photovoltaic and wind
systems of any size. The law requires any net excess generation
to be credited to the following month and any unused credit
at the end of the year to be purchased by the utility at
its avoided cost. The law caps net metering at 0.1% of the
utility’s peak demand or at an annual financial impact of
$2,000,000. As of January 2000, the NJ Board of Public Utilities
(BPU) issued a draft rule to implement the requirement,
entitled Net Metering, Safety, & Power Quality Standards
for Wind & Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
For further information, refer to Restructuring Bill #A16:
HTML or PDF
Contact: Cameron Johnson
State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Phone: (609) 777-3316
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bpu.state.nj.us
New Mexico Net Metering Rule
On September 30, 1999, the New Mexico Public Regulation
Commission (PRC) issued a rule requiring all utilities regulated
by the PRC to offer net metering for cogeneration facilities
and small power producers with systems of 10 kW or less.
Municipal utilities are exempt because they are not regulated
by the PRC. Excess electricity generated by a qualifying
system must be purchased at the utility’s “energy rate”
or be credited to the consumer and carried over to the next
month. When a customer leaves the system, utilities must
pay the customer for any extra credits. There is no statewide
cap on the number of systems eligible for net metering.
For further information, refer to New Mexico, Title 17,
Chapter 10, Part 571 - Net Metering Of Customer - Owned
Qualifying Facilities Of 10kW Or Smaller.
Contact 1: Terry Rodriguez (505) 827-6954
Contact 2: Tom Halpin (505) 827-6940
New Mexico Public Utility Commission
E-Mail: [email protected]
New York Net Metering Law
New York’s net metering law (Laws of New York 1997, Chapter
399) was signed by the governor on August 13, 1997. The
law has established a net metering program for the utility’s
residential photovoltaic (PV) systems of 10 kW or less.
It limits the total installed solar electric generating
capacity under net metering to 0.1% of each utility’s 1996
peak demand as determined by the Public Service Commission
(~ 23.4 MW) . Individual utilities, however, can choose
to allow a greater capacity to enroll in net metering. The
capacity limit will be reviewed by the PSC in 2005 to determine
whether it should be increased.
New York’s law requires all utilities in the state (investor-owned,
publicly owned, municipally owned, and cooperatives) to
offer net metering to eligible customers and that they do
not impose any extra charges or fees not imposed to other
non-net metering customers. The law specifies that billing
for net metering customers should be annualized. At the
end of each month, net excess generation is credited toward
the following month’s bill. At the end of the annual billing
cycle, if there is any net excess generation by the customer,
consumers are paid the utility’s avoided cost for that generation.
If a customer uses more electricity than the customer generates
during one billing period, the customer will pay regular
residential rate for the energy used.
In addition to usual requirements of customer-owned PV
systems, New York’s law specifically stated that a customer-owned
PV system must include extra specified safety features.
To help defray the additional interconnection cost for safety
and service reliability, New York’s net metering law contains
a small income tax credit for residents who own PV equipment.
Residential customers can claim a credit of twenty-five
(25%) percent of the cost of a qualifying photovoltaic system.
The income tax credit amounts to $0.375 per watt of PV capacity,
and it began in 1998.
For further information, refer to Laws of New York 1997,
Chapter 399.
Contact: Charles Puglisi
New York State Department of Public Service
Phone: (518) 474-2530
E-Mail: [email protected]
North Carolina
There is no activity to date.
North Dakota Net Metering Order
Net metering has been available in North Dakota since 1991
under the North Dakota Administration Code, Section 69-09-07-09,
ordered by the Public Utility Commission. Customer-owned
renewable energy generators or qualifying facilities under
100 kW are eligible. Utilities are to install a single meter
to measure the net electricity consumption or production
of such customers. Excess generation by customer-owned generators
will be purchased by utilities at the avoided cost. There
is no limit on the total capacity under the net metering
program. The net metering order applies to investor-owned
utilities only. The rural electric cooperatives in North
Dakota are not rate-regulated by the Public Utility Commission,
and therefore, do not have to offer net metering to their
customers.
For further information, refer to North Dakota Administration
Code, Section 69-09-07-09.
Contact: Joe Murphy
Division of Community Services
Phone: (701) 328-2697
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.state.nd.us/dcs/Energy/default.html
Ohio Net Metering Rule
On July 6, 1999, Ohio Governor Bob Taft signed into law
legislation opening the state’s electricity market to competition
starting January 2001. The bill included a net metering
provision applicable to all customers who operate renewable
generation units, microturbines, and fuel cells. No limits
were placed on the size of the resource; however, total
customer-generation capacity is not to exceed 1% of a power
provider’s peak demand. Therefore, net metering will be
offered to the first customers who apply up to the limit.
Excess power will be credited on the following month’s bill
at the unbundled generation rate. The requirement takes
effect in October 1999.
For further information, refer to SB 3.
Contact: Kurt Waltzer
Ohio Environmental Council
Phone: (614) 487-7506
E-Mail: [email protected]
Oklahoma Net Billing Order
Net metering has been available in Oklahoma since 1988
under Oklahoma Corporate Commission Order 326195. Utilities
under the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma Corporate Commission
(investor-owned utilities and Rural Electric Administration
[REA] cooperatives) are required to file a net billing tariff
for customer-owned renewable energy generating facilities
rated 100 kW or less. The Oklahoma order also includes an
energy limitation on net-billing of 25,000 kWh per year
on generating facilities allowed.
For eligible customer-owned generating facilities, utilities
must allow parallel operation with a single meter to register
the net energy consumed. Other than industry standard protection
devices and normal customer charges that apply to all customers
in the same class, utilities are not allowed to make additional
requirements or extra charges for the interconnection of
the customer-owned generating facilities. However, utilities
are not required to purchase any electricity from customers
under the net billing program. Meters are read monthly.
Any excess generation is granted to the utilities. There
is no limit on how many customers may participate in this
program, nor a cap on the total installed generating capacity
under the net metering program.
For more information, refer to Oklahoma Corporate Commission
Order 326195.
Contact: Gordon Gore
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Community Affairs and Development
P.O. Box 26980
Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0980
Oregon Net Metering Order
In July 1999, the Oregon General Assembly passed H.B. 3219
requiring utilities to offer net metering for fuel cells
and solar, wind, and hydro resources of 25 kilowatts or
less. The bill requires utilities to offer net metering
to all customer classes, but total customer-generation capacity
is not to exceed 0.5% of a utility’s historic single-hour
peak load. When the 0.5% of peak load limit has been reached,
net metering eligibility can be limited by regulatory authority.
Excess power can be purchased at the utility’s avoided cost
or credited to the following month. At the end of a year,
any unused credits can be granted to a low-income assistance
program, credited to the customer, or dedicated to another
use to be determined by the Public Utility Commission.
For more information, refer to HB 3219.
Contact: Phil Carver
Oregon Office of Energy
Phone: (503) 378-4040
Fax: (503) 373-7806
Pennsylvania Net Metering Program
Pennsylvania’s 1998 net metering rule (52 Pennsylvania
Code 57.34) covers all renewable electric technologies and
fuel cells up to 10 kW and is available to all customer
classes. Net excess generation at the end of each month
is granted to the utility. Interconnection rules are determined
by each distribution utility individually.
Contact: Public Information
Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3265
Phone: (717) 783-1740
Rhode Island Net Metering Order
According to a 1998 order by the Rhode Island Public Utility
Commission (Docket No. 2710), the state’s investor-owned
utilities must offer net metering to all customers generating
electricity with renewable energy systems or fuel cells
of 25 kW or less. The rule requires that, at the end of
each month, any power generated in excess of the customer’s
needs be credited to the following month. Any used credits
are granted to the utility at the end of a twelve-month
period. For Narragansett Electric, the total net-metered
capacity is capped at 1 MW.
For further information, refer to Public Utility Commission
Order, Docket No. 2710.
Contact: Doug Hartley
Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission
Phone: (401) 941-8827
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ripuc.state.ri.us/
South Carolina
There is no activity to date.
South Dakota
There is no activity to date.
Texas Net Metering Order
Net metering is ordered by the Public Utility Commission
of Texas under Substantive Rules, Section 23.66(f)(4), which
became effective in 1986. The order requires utilities to
offer a net metering option to qualifying facilities of
50 kW or less, using renewable energy resources. Utilities
will install a single meter for such customers and allow
the meter to turn backward to register the net energy consumption
or production by the customers. Net consumption is billed
at the applicable tariff, and excess generation by the customers
during a billing cycle is purchased by utilities at the
avoided cost (fuel cost only, no capacity component). Texas
initiated the net metering program 10 years ago to promote
small wind power and PV markets in the state. There is no
statewide limit on the number of customers or total capacity
under the net metering program.
Refer to Public Utility Commission of Texas Substantive
Rules, Section 23.66(f)(4) and PUC Substantive Rule § 25.242(h)(4).
http://www.puc.state.tx.us/rules/subrules/electric/25.242/25.242.cfm
Contact: John McElroy, Jr.
Office of Public Utility Counsel
Phone: (512) 936-7518
E-Mail: [email protected]
Tennessee
There is no activity to date.
Utah Net Metering Law
On March 15, 2002, Utah Governor Mike Levitt signed into
law a bill (HB 7) requiring the state’s investor-owned utilities
and electric cooperatives to offer net metering to customers
with solar, wind, small hydropower, or fuel cell systems
of up to 25 kW in size. During each billing period, the
utility must credit the customer generator for any net excess
power “at a value that is at least avoided cost.”
The customer may use the credit to offset purchases of electricity
during future billing periods in the same year. Any unused
credits expire at the end of the calendar year.
The net metering law caps total participation in the program
at 0.1% of the cumulative generating capacity of the utility’s
peak demand during 2001. Utilities are prohibited from imposing
additional charges or fees on customers with net metering
unless authorized by the Commission.
For further information, see text of 2002 HB 7.
Contact 1: Christine Watson (801) 538-4792
E-Mail: [email protected];
[email protected]
Contact 2: David Lochtefeld (801) 538-5443
Utah Department of Natural Resources
Website: http://www.nr.utah.gov/energy/home.htm
Vermont Net Metering Law
Vermont’s net metering statute became effective on April
22, 1998. In addition to allowing net metering for customers
with PV, wind, and fuel cell facilities of 15 kW or less,
the statute establishes a new class of net metering system
called the farm system. A farm system generates energy from
the anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste produced by
farming and can be up to 125 kW in generating capacity.
The total generating capacity under net metering for each
electric company is limited to 1% of the company’s peak
demand during 1996. Excess generation during a billing period
will be credited to the next billing period until the end
of the calendar year. At the beginning of the next calendar
year, any remaining credits will revert back to the utility
without compensation to the customer.
For the full bill text, please see Sec. 2.30 V.S.A. § 219A;
VT Legislature H. 605.
Contact: David Grover
State of Vermont Department of Public Service
Phone: (802) 828-4072
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.state.vt.us/psd/ee/ee14.htm
Virginia Net Metering Law
In March 1999, the Virginia state legislature enacted legislation
(Virginia Assembly bill SB1269) requiring net metering for
small solar wind, and hydroelectric systems. The law requires
all of the state’s utilities to offer net metering to residential
systems of 10 kilowatts or less and non-residential systems
of 25 kilowatts or less. The law limits the amount of net
metered generation to 0.1% of peak demand of the previous
year. Customers can apply the credit for electricity generated
from their system to the following month; however, at the
end of the year, any excess generation is granted to the
utility.
Contact: Ken Jurman
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Phone: (804) 692-3222
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.mme.state.va.us
Washington Net Metering Law
Washington enacted a net metering law in March 1998. Under
the new law, all electric utilities in the state are required
to offer net metering programs to customers who have installed
small generating systems that use solar, wind and hydropower.
To be eligible for net metering, each installation must
be 25 kW or less in size. Total net metering capacity for
each utility is set at the 0.1% of the utility’s 1996 peak
demand. Excess generation at the end of each bill period
will be carried over to the next billing period as credit.
At the beginning of each calendar year, any excess generation
accumulated during the previous year will be granted to
utilities. The net metering law further specifies that utilities
cannot request additional standby, capacity, interconnection
or other fees or changes from net metering customers unless
the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission determines
that such fees or charges are justified.
For more information, see RCW 80.60 and WA Legislature
HB 2773.
Contact: Mike Nelson
Washington State University
Extension Energy Program
Phone: (206) 285-1061
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.energy.wsu.edu
West Virginia
There is no activity to date.
Wisconsin Net Billing Order
Net metering in Wisconsin is authorized by Public Service
Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) Order 6690-UR-107, effective
January 1, 1993. The order applies to all utilities under
the jurisdiction of PSCW (investor-owned utilities). Rural
electric cooperatives in Wisconsin are not rate-regulated
by PSCW, but they often follow Commission’s rulings voluntarily,
and several rural electric cooperatives are preparing to
offer net metering to their customers. Wisconsin’s net metering
applies to customer-owned electric generation facilities
that are rated at 20 kW or less, regardless of energy sources.
The utility’s electric meter is permitted to run backward
when the customer is generating electric power to feed into
the utility grid. If the amount of energy supplied to the
utility exceeds the amount of energy consumed, the customer
will receive a credit on his monthly bill equal to the net
excess kilowatt-hours of energy received by the utility
multiplied by the Energy Credit Rate, including any applicable
adjustment for cost of fuel, or the customer will receive
a check for this amount issued by the utility. Any credits
to the customer shall be reduced by the monthly customer
charge of the standard applicable rate schedule. Actual
issuance of a check payable to the customer shall not occur
until the amount due the customer exceeds $25. If a customer-generator
operates a renewable energy facility, then the utility pays
the retail rate for net excess generation. For non-renewable
generation sources, the utility pays their avoided cost
for net excess generation.
For further information, refer to Public Service Commission
of Wisconsin (PSCW) Order 6690-UR-107.
Contact: Paul Helgeson
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
Fax: (608) 266-3957
E-Mail: [email protected]
Wyoming Net Billing Law
On February 22, 2001, Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer signed
into law a bill (HB-195) requiring all of the state’s utilities,
including all electric cooperatives and irrigation districts,
to offer net metering for solar, wind, and hydroelectric
systems of 25 kW or less. As a result, net metering took
effect July 1, 2001. Under the legislation, utilities are
required to compensate or credit customers on a monthly
basis for any power generated and supplied to the grid in
excess of the customer’s monthly consumption. At the beginning
of each calendar year, any unused credits accumulated during
the previous year shall be sold to the utility at the utility’s
filed avoided cost.
Further Details: HB 195, Enrolled Act No. 62
Contact: Frank Smith
Wyoming Public Service Commission
Phone: (307) 777-5721
Fax: (307) 777-5700
Source 1: EREN Green Power Net Metering Summary:
http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/netmetering/index.shtml#WI
Source 2: Contact info & some additional state information
from DSIRE Net Metering Rules: Net Metering Rules: http://www.dsireusa.org/dsire/library/includes/seeallincentivetype.cfm?type=Net
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