This bill amends existing laws concerning community solar projects in New Hampshire, specifically targeting low-moderate income households and enhancing net metering provisions. Key changes include increasing the maximum size for low-moderate income community solar projects from 6 megawatts to 18 megawatts, with a stipulation that if applications exceed this capacity, the Department of Energy will prioritize projects based on the largest on-bill credits offered. The bill also raises the capacity limit for net metering from 100 kilowatts to 500 kilowatts, modifies the definition of "political subdivision" to include not-for-profits, and expands the definition of "municipal host" to encompass nonprofit educational institutions and public housing authorities, while removing previous references to special purpose entities.

Additionally, the bill allows group net metering members to enter agreements with multiple group hosts, provided their combined load does not exceed their total load. It mandates the Department to report on the costs and benefits of low-moderate income community solar projects and requires the authorization of at least two new projects annually in each utility's service territory starting January 1, 2020. The anticipated fiscal impact of these changes is indeterminable for counties and municipalities, as the New Hampshire Municipal Association lacks sufficient data to evaluate the overall financial implications. The act will take effect 60 days after passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 362-A:9, 362-F:2, 362-A:1-a
As Amended by the Senate: 362-A:9, 362-F:2, 362-A:1-a