Relates to net energy metering for certain solar and wind electric generating systems

Summary of provisions: Section 1 of the bill would amend the definition of "solar electric generating equipment," set forth in Public Service Law (PSL) § 66-j(1)(d), to remove the provision which limited the defi- nition to equipment with a capacity not greater than the customer's peak load.

Section 2 of the bill would amend PSL § 66:j(3)(c)(i) to provide that a non-residential customer-generator with equipment rated to not more than 25 kilowatts would be responsible for the electric corporation's actual cost of installation of required safety equipment up to $350.

Section 2 of the bill would also amend PSL § 66-j(3)(c)(iii) to provide that a non-residential customer-generator with equipment rated to more than 25 kilowatts would be responsible for the electric corporation's actual cost of installation of required safety equipment, and that such cost shall be determined by the electric corporation and subject to the review by the Department of Public Service.

Section 3 of the bill would amend the definition of "wind electric generating equipment," set forth in PSL § 65-1(1)(f), to remove a provision which limited the definition to equipment with a capacity not greater than the customer's peak load.

Section 4 of the bill would amend PSL § 66-1(3)(c)(i) to provide that a residential, farm service, and non-residential customer-generator with equipment rated to not more than 25 kilowatts would be responsible for the electric corporation's actual cost of installation of required safe- ty equipment up to $750. Section 4 of the bill would also amend PSL 66- 1(3)(c)(ii) to provide that a farm service customer-generator with equipment rated to not more than 500 kilowatts would be responsible for the electric corporation's actual cost of installation of required safe- ty equipment up to $5,000. Section 4 of the bill would also amend PSL 66- 1(3)(c)(iii) to provide that a non-residential customer-generator with equipment rated to more than 25 kilowatts would be responsible for the electric corporation's actual cost of installation of required safe- ty equipment, and that such cost shall be determined by the electric corporation and subject to review by the Department of Public Service.

Section 5 of the bill would provide for an immediate effective date.

Existing law:

PSL § 66-j provides for the net metering of solar electric generating and other electric generating systems. PSL, § 66-1 provides for the net metering of wind electric generating systems. Both sections limit net metering of non-residential solar electric generating equipment and non-residential wind electric generating equipment to such systems with rated capacity of the lesser of 2,000 kilowatts or the customer- generator's peak load as measured over the prior twelve month period. Both sections also limit the costs certain customer-generators are required to pay for the electric corporation's installation of equipment required for the safety and adequacy of electric service provided to other customers.

Legislative history: This is a new bill.

Statement in support:

Net metering was expanded to non-residential customers in 2008 to encourage increased deployment of solar electric and wind electric generation technologies. This expansion was limited to non-residential customers with system capacity of the lesser of 2,000 kilowatts or peak load. This limitation hindered the intended expansion of net metering to non-residential customers. First, not all non-residential customers have demand meters that allow them to measure peak load. Second, solar and wind systems should be sized in excess of peak load in order to effec- tively offset a reasonable portion of the customer's annual energy use. This is because peak load is determined as the highest power used by a customer in a 15-minute interval, but the highly variable wind and solar systems typically produce electricity only during a portion of the day:

This bill would encourage greater deployment of renewable energy gener- ation systems that advance the State's clean energy goals. In addition to helping to achieve.renewable energy goals, on-site solar and wind generation will also allow the customer to save on energy costs.

Budget implications:

This bill would have no impact on the State budget.

Effective date: This bill would take effect immediately.