The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) Has Opened New Net Metering Dockets

Net Metering would allow you to sell excess energy produced by your own solar panels, wind turbine, or other renewable technology back to HEA at the retail rate. Unlike the "SNAP" program, no member contributions are required.

Draft RCA Net Metering proposal:
Size Limit For Individual Renewable Energy System: 25 KW
Overall Renewable Energy Systems Limit Per Utility: 1% of utility’s peak demand
Net Metering Accounting Period: Monthly*
Treatment of Monthly Net Excess Power: Paid at utility’s non-firm avoided cost*
Renewable Energy System Types Allowed: Solar, Wind, Hydro, Biomass, Tidal, Ocean Thermal, Wave, Landfill Gas

The RCA will only establish an Alaskan Net Metering rule if ratepayers demand it.

*Monthly accounting is a bad idea. Excess energy production should be applied over a twelve month period. A solar array will produce most energy in late spring and summer when days are longest. Monthly won't let you use that excess production to offset fall and winter consumption.

*Payment at the utility’s “non-firm avoided cost” is a bad idea too. The utility charges you retail for the power but only credits your excess production at the wholesale price.

“Technical” conferences have been scheduled by the RCA for:
March 4, 2009 (Net Metering Standards, Docket R-09-1) and
March 18, 2009 (Interconnection Standards, Docket R-09-2).
Both will be held at the Commission’s East Hearing Room, suite 300, 701 West Eighth Avenue in Anchorage.

Persons planning to participate in one or both conference must file notice of intent by:
4:00 PM, February 27, 2009 for Net Metering Standards, Docket R-09-1
4:00 PM, March 13, 2009 for Interconnection Standards, Docket R-09-2
Notice must indicate whether you intend to appear in person or telephonically. Contact Joyce McGowan at 1-800-390-2782 or send to rca.mail@alaska.gov at least three days before the technical conference.

For More Information:
Regulatory Commission of Alaska

701 West Eighth Avenue, Suite 300
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-3469
In Anchorage: (907) 276-6222
Toll Free: 1-800-390-2782 (outside Anchorage, within Alaska)

E-mail: rca.mail@alaska.gov

Website: https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/home.aspx