Existing law requires each electric utility in this State to offer net metering to customer-generators operating in the service area of the utility. (NRS 704.773) Existing law defines “net metering” to mean measuring the difference between the electricity supplied by a utility and the electricity generated by certain customers which is fed back to the utility. (NRS 704.769) Sections 13 and 14 of this bill authorize the users of a solar-powered affordable housing system to participate in net metering. Sections 2-8 of this bill define certain terms related to solar-powered affordable housing systems. Section 11 of this bill excludes persons who own or operate a solar-powered affordable housing system from the definition of “public utility.” Section 12 of this bill makes a conforming change to make the definitions set forth in sections 2-8 applicable to the provisions of existing law governing net metering. Sections 15 and 16 of this bill revise existing provisions governing net metering to provide for the administration of net metering with respect to solar-powered affordable housing systems, including the measuring of net electricity produced or consumed and the awarding of credit for excess electricity produced by a solar-powered affordable housing system. Sections 9 and 10 of this bill establish certain requirements for any tariff or contract which relates to a solar-powered affordable housing system. Section 18 of this bill provides that, with certain exceptions, certain provisions governing the rates charged for the provision of electric service by the landlord of a manufactured home park or mobile home park or owner of a company town do not apply to the owner or operator of a solar-powered affordable housing system. Existing law requires: (1) certain electric utilities in this State to offer an expanded solar access program to residential customers and to certain nonresidential customers who consume less than 10,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month; (2) the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada to adopt certain regulations for the implementation of the expanded solar access program; and (3) an electric utility to submit a plan for the implementation of the expanded solar access program. Under existing law, the customers who are eligible to participate in an expanded solar access program are: (1) low-income residential customers; (2) certain disadvantaged businesses and nonprofit organizations; and (3) certain residential customers who cannot install solar resources on the premises of the customer. In implementing the expanded solar access program, an electric utility is required to: (1) make use of at least a certain number of community-based solar resources; and (2) provide participating low-income residential customers with a lower rate. (NRS 704.7865) Section 17 of this bill: (1) revises the criteria for eligibility so that only low-income residential customers are eligible to participate in an expanded solar access program; and (2) adds certain rate reductions for such customers who are supported with certain funding from the Nevada Clean Energy Fund. Section 17 also authorizes such a participating customer to remain continuously enrolled in the program without having to reapply. For community-based solar resources, section 17: (1) increases the maximum nameplate capacity from not more than 1 megawatt to not more than 5 megawatts; (2) requires a process for open bidding or requests for proposals for the selection of sites; (3) requires prioritizing the selection of sites that provide resiliency for the electric grid and benefits for the community; and (4) requires construction of additional community-based solar resources in proportion to increased participation in the expanded solar access program.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 704.021, 704.767, 704.768, 704.771, 704.773, 704.775, 704.7865, 704.940
BDR: 704.021, 704.767, 704.768, 704.771, 704.773, 704.775, 704.7865, 704.940