SPONSOR: McMullen
This bill increases the allowable capacity of an electrical generating system that qualifies for net metering under the Net Metering and Easy Connect Act from 100 kilowatts to 1,000 kilowatts and requires the electrical generating system to meet the requirements of a uniformed solar permit and inspection form.
Currently, a retail electrical supplier must make net-metering available until the total capacity of net metering systems equals 5% of the supplier's total peak load during the previous year. The bill increases the net metering capacity to 15% of a retail electrical supplier total peak load.
Currently the customer generator is to be credited an amount equal to the avoided fuel cost of the excess electricity generated by the customer during the billing period, with the credit applied to the following billing period. The bill changes the credit to the retail electric cost of the excess electricity generated by the customer during the billing period, with the credit applied anytime during the next 12-month period.
Currently, systems of 10 kilowatts or less are exempt from certain requirements and standards. This bill increases the size of systems that are exempt to 100 kilowatts.
By January 1, 2025, the Public Service Commission must create a unified solar permit and inspection form and automated permitting and inspection software for solar energy devices. Permitting and inspection authorities must use the software and collect fees from applicants for solar energy device permits.
The bill also requires homeowners' associations to deny or request resubmission of applications for solar panels or collectors within 30 days of receipt of the request or the application is considered approved. Homeowners' associations can not require applications for solar panels or collectors to be approved by a committee that addresses architectural or aesthetic qualities.
Statutes affected: