Public Utilities Commission of Ohio adopts updates to net metering rules
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted Wednesday revisions to the administrative rules that govern electric net metering in the state.
Net metering allows customers who own electric generation facilities, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to offset their need for electricity by producing their own. These customers receive credit for surplus electricity they send back into the electric grid.
“The rules adopted today enhance the state of Ohio’s energy policy by establishing consistent, state-wide parameters for net metering, and foster a competitive marketplace for innovative products and services,” PUCO Chairperson Asim Z. Haque said. “The PUCO will continue to monitor its policies as more customers take advantage of net metering opportunities.”
The updates deal with the types and sizes of qualifying electric generation facilities, as well as the rate utilities, use to credit customers for excess electric generation returned to the grid.
PUCO established that a net metering facility may be sized based on 120 percent of a customer’s average annual electric usage when the facility is connected to the electric grid.
Customers who receive the standard service offer from regulated electric distribution utilities will be given a monthly bill credit at the utility’s standard service offer rate to compensate for excess energy supplied to the grid, Customers of a competitive electric supplier may receive credit at a rate agreed to in their contract for service.
On Nov. 18, 2015, PUCO requested comments on proposed rules regarding net metering. The commission will submit final rules for the administrative code to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review after it issues a final, appealable order.
