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