This bill establishes a shared solar net metering cooperative program in Iowa, which allows electric utility customers to participate in solar energy generation projects. It defines a shared solar net metering cooperative as a distributed generation facility that produces electricity through solar panels, enabling subscribers to receive bill credits proportional to their subscription size. The bill clarifies that these cooperatives will not be classified as public utilities and that their electricity provision will not be seen as unnecessary duplication of electric utility facilities.

The program encourages customers to enter into cooperatives with electric utilities, allowing them to own solar production at locations separate from their electricity meters. Subscribers can include all their electricity meters in the cooperative, and the cooperatives are limited to ten subscribers, all of whom must be customers of the same utility. The bill also mandates the Iowa Utilities Commission to develop interconnection agreements for these cooperatives and outlines that they may be owned by investors. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance solar energy generation and facilitate customer participation in alternative energy projects.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 476.1, 476.50