Regulatory Rate Trend. Separate Rate Classes for Solar. Largest Nationwide Request.

The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center quarterly report tallies solar policy actions.

The most common utility proposal: a separate Distributed Generation (DG) customer class but without a rate increase or rate change.

Why? 2 OPTIONS:

  • The new rate class would test regulators
  • The new rate class sets the stage for later rate changes

Is there regulatory or legislative precedent? Yes:

  • Montana & North Carolina have new laws that allow separate rate class as part of a comprehensive DG proceeding
  • Kansas Corporation Commission approved a separate solar rate class

How do these porposals compare historically:

  • solar policy change requests have increases 21% for Q3 2017
  • the largest portion of these solar policy requests relate to residential fixed charge and minimum bill increases

Utility Dive | In new trend, utilities propose separate rate classes for solar customers without rate increase