“Net metering cap increase passes N.H. Senate committee” by David Brooks, published in the Concord Monitor.
A proposal to raise the limit on how much solar power can be sold to New Hampshire utilities got an initial okay on its trip through the Legislature on Wednesday when it passed the Senate Energy Committee.
The bill increases the limit from 50 megawatts to 75 megawatts for the total amount of distributed energy, mostly solar, that can be net metered, meaning solar panel owners are reimbursed when their system generates extra electricity.
The cap increase will be split 60-40 between small, home solar systems and larger commercial systems. The cap would remain in effect until the Public Utilities Commission figures out new rules for the system, which is expected to take about a year.
The 50 megawatt cap – roughly the amount of power needed for 10,000 homes – has been largely hit throughout the state, and solar installation firms say this is bringing a growing industry to a halt.
Representatives of firms argued at a committee hearing last week that the 25 megawatt increase is far too small, particularly for larger systems, and that the industry will again come to a halt long before any PUC rules are developed and approved.
The bill, SB333, will be taken up in a future Senate session.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/20637343-95/net-metering-cap-increase-passes-nh-senate-committee