Idaho PUC rules for removal of Rocky Mountain Power’s net metering cap
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) ruled for removing the net metering cap for Rocky Mountain Power on Wednesday after the utility submitted a request to increase the cap on net metering generation in its Idaho territory.
The PUC denied Rocky Mountain Power’s request to increase the net metering generation cap from 714 kilowatts (kW) to 2,000 kW, ruling to remove the metering cap altogether. Rock Mountain Power will instead have to file an annual report that details the impact of net metering on its operations, and how growth of residential generators affect operations annually.
Residents with their own generators offset the grid by creating a two-way flow of energy. If a customer generates an excess of power, that power flows to the utility company and back to the grid, offsetting a utility’s estimation for demand. This can result in overproduction or a surplus purchase of energy and unfair distribution of power to all customers on the grid.
In Rocky Mountain’s Idaho territory, net metering customers increased from two in 2007 to 161 last year due to a transition to solar rooftop installations. The utility said that the surge in net metering generation cost the company $44,446 in excess generation, with a corresponding wholesale market value of $10,638.
In line with the PUC’s ruling, Rocky Mountain Power will also be required to submit a detailed report each year that objectively shows the impact of net metering on other customers connected to the grid, as well as the company’s purchasing operations. The report will be due at the end of the third quarter each year.
