The Policy Fight For Solar In 2020

The 50 States of Solar: Net Metering Reforms Lead Solar Policy Activity in 2020

January 27, 2021 (The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center [NCCETC])

“…[NCCETC’s 2020 annual review and Q4 update edition of The 50 States of Solar] finds that 46 states and the District of Columbia took some type of distributed solar policy action during 2020…[The greatest number of actions were on] net metering policies, community solar policies, and residential fixed charge increases. The states taking the greatest number of actions include Virginia, California, New York, Maine, and South Carolina…

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...[T]en of the top distributed solar policy trends of 2020…[were] Utilities proposing additional fees based on DG system capacity…States adopting unique net metering successor policies…States facing challenges with low-income community solar participation…Net metering successor tariffs being considered on a utility by utility basis……States and utilities considering time-of-use crediting for net metering customers…Utilities continuing to propose fewer and smaller residential fixed charge increases…

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...Interest growing in minimum bills as a DG rate design element…States considering expansion of existing community solar programs…Strong movement away from mandatory residential demand charges; and…States establishing timelines for net metering successor transitions…A total of 257 state and utility level distributed solar policy and rate changes were proposed, pending, or decided in 2020…In Q4 2020, 39 states and D.C. took some type of action on distributed solar policy or rate design. A total of 140 actions were tracked in Q4.” click here for more

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