Excerpt from “Bill would raise limit on solar power by 25 MW, push for new rules on pricing” by  DAVID BROOKS, published in the Concord Monitor

Solar power is becoming so popular that New Hampshire needs to redesign its pricing system for electricity generation to avoid harming other customers – but until that happens, easing limits on how much solar power is sold back to utilities will help keep the industry operating in the state.

That was the general consensus, although far from the universal opinion, at a hearing Tuesday on a bill that would raise the cap on what is known as net metered electricity from 50 to 75 megawatts statewide.

The net metering cap was set several years ago when solar power was much less popular but a surge in development over the past year fueled by new types of financing and lower costs has pushed New Hampshire Electric Cooperative past its cap, while the three investor-owned utilities in New Hampshire are close to, or already at, their limits.

The cap does not prevent solar installations, but can prevent net metering, which lets panel owners sell excess electricity produced on sunny days back to the utility at set rates.

Without net metering, solar power becomes much more expensive, roughly doubling the time period it takes for a home installation to cover its costs via lower electricity bills, according to testimony before the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday.

More at: https://politics.concordmonitor.com/2016/01/environmental/bill-would-raise-limit-on-solar-power-by-25-mw-push-for-new-rules-on-pricing/

Excerpt from Editorial, “The Bradley Special: A short-term net metering fix” published in the Union Leader:

Sen. Jeb Bradley has a knack for making everyone equally unhappy.

The Wolfeboro Republican is the Legislature’s go-to guy on thorny technical issues such as energy infrastructure siting and workers’ compensation reform.

He usually finds a solution giving both sides what they need, but usually not everything they want.

This week, Bradley unveiled a compromise on net metering that would salvage the program in the short run, and give regulators time to work out a long- term fix.

The current net metering program allows homeowners and businesses with solar cells to sell excess power into the grid. This makes solar more affordable, but also forces utilities to buy high cost electricity, often when demand is low.

Solar companies want to lift the 50 megawatt cap on net metering, which they say is slowing growth of solar power. They are eager for larger commercial facilities to sell solar power at retail rates. In this, they ask for too much.

Eliminating the cap without lowering rates would be a boondoggle, forcing most ratepayers to foot the bill for those who can afford to build solar.

Bradley’s compromise increases the cap to 75 megawatts statewide, and begins development of alternative net metering tariffs to find a more appropriate price for power sold back to utilities.

This is a temporary solution that leaves neither side satisfied. But it would allow modest expansion of net metering.

It’s a Bradley Special. – See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=UL&date=20160115&category=OPINION01&lopenr=160119458&Ref=AR&template=printart#sthash.45JuLHmt.dpuf

http://www.unionleader.com/The-Bradley-Special-A_-short-term-net-metering-fix

Excerpt from “Gov. Hassan pushes lawmakers for expansion of ‘net metering’ program” by DAVE SOLOMON Published in the New Hampshire Union Leader

CONCORD — Gov. Maggie Hassan urged lawmakers to expand a state program that rewards homeowners and businesses using solar panels to generate electricity, despite protests from utilities that the program is being paid for by non-solar customers.
Hassan yesterday urged the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to approve a bill that would salvage the state’s so-called “net metering” program in the short term, while stakeholders and regulators work on a long-term solution.
Her letter arrived as the committee began hearings on the controversial bill before a packed room of utility representatives, regulators and advocates for the solar industry.

Under net metering laws, in place in 44 states, the owners of solar panels can sell electricity back into the grid on those days when they generate more than they use, and get a credit on their electric bills for the full retail rate per kilowatt hour sold.
So many have taken advantage of the opportunity in the past year that a statewide limit on net metering in place since 1998 has been almost totally exhausted.

“New Hampshire’s families and businesses have invested millions of dollars in our local economy by installing solar arrays and other renewable generation facilities that make us more independent and keep our money closer to home,” Hassan wrote. “This consumer-driven progress must continue, and I support efforts to lift the cap on net metering as soon as is possible.”

See more at: http://www.unionleader.com/article/20160114/NEWS05/160119562/0/newhampshire#sthash.xhpDBRtq.dpuf