ORIGINAL REPORTING: Solar Advocates Push Nevada Regulators Too Far
Did solar lobbying tactics sow the seeds of the Nevada net metering controversy? Aggressive efforts by the solar industry may have put off policymakers, stakeholders say
Herman K. Trabish, January 28, 2016 (Utility Dive)
Editor’s note: Nevada regulators just announced they would reverse the decision on grandfathering described here and reconsider the state’s solar policies.
Nevada’s debate over net metering policies captured the attention of utilities and renewable energy advocates nationwide at the beginning of 2016 when regulators voted against “grandfathering” in existing solar systems in a new set of rules on rooftop solar. Policy experts across the coutry said it was likely the first such decision anywhere and one source, who declined to be identified for fear of professional retribution, called the ruling “punitive.”
New Nevada rates will increase the monthly charges for NV Energy customers with rooftop solar from the $12.75 to $17.90, while the volumetric rate will fall from $0.111/kWh to $0.108/kWh. The NEM credit for present and future solar owners would fall from $0.11/kWh — roughly the retail rate of electricity — to $0.026/kWh in 2020. Democratic State Senate Minority Leader Aaron D. Ford, who was one of the first Nevada lawmakers to ask the commission for a now-denied stay of its decision, also acknowledged that the tactics used by solar advocates were “very aggressive and at times overly aggressive…[and] could have been a bit more diplomatic.” click here for more
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