Story by David Beard, The Dominion Post
Charleston, W.V.
Net-Meming Question was part of a overall rate-growth case before PSC, and the parties on 23 January announced an agreement about all other aspects of the case. The issue remained for talks and the agreement was released on Friday.
Net-metering customers receive credit for any power on their bills that they produce more than what they use. Currently, companies offer a full 1-to-1 credit, which means the energy purchased from the utility is similar to the energy purchased-the present is estimated to be somewhere between 11.4 cents per kWh (KWH) and 13 cents because the companies have reached their respective conclusions in many rate cases.
Companies proposed to replace the Aadhaar credit at bulk rate for electricity, which calculates the filing at 6.6 cents per kwh – about half of 13 cents per kwh. It will be effective for the new net-metering customers joining after 27 March, 2024.
Their declared reason was to avoid cross-safety, in which regular customers made a part of the bill for pure-metering customers. Opposition to about 1,400 letters of the proposal – an accurate figure was not available on Friday.
PSC employees earlier agreed that cross-cooperation was an issue, but proposed a middle ground: 8.8 cents per kW.
Settlement parties included PSC Staff, PSC Consumer Advocate Division, West Virginia Citizen Action Group, Solar United Nebors, Energy Kushal West Virginia and Solar Holer, the state’s largest solar development, design, finance and construction firms.
The settlement proposes three credit rates based on the customer class: 9.34 cents for most classes including residential, church, school and general service; 9.15 cents for large general service; And 8.91 cents for large power service and alternative generations.
This rate becomes effective on 27 March. The same date as other rate case issues, but current net-metering customers have grandfather for 25 years. Customers applying for Net metering on or after January 1, 2025will are subject to new rates.
The new rates will be effective for two years. The calendar will be interacted in the net energy cost (ENEC) case spent 2026 at the rates for the year 2027. Changes in future credit rates cannot be converted to more than 10% year-by-year.
The settlement allows companies to do cost-profit analysis to discuss their next base rate case.
Companies commented on disposal in a press release. “Agreement helps to ensure that new net energy metering pay a portion of fixed costs related to customer delivery, transmission and capacity features that they use.”
Solar United Nebors State Director, Liah Barber told the Dominion Post, “While we believe that the retail rate is the best to get a credit for the residential solar customers as a credit, we think it is a reasonable disposal among the interests in this case. Some significant security for the current customers and clear guidelines will continue to move forward.”
Solar Holler Dan Connant said, “In the last 6 months, thousands of us banded together and we have changed the future of solar in West Virginia to establish a degree of fairness which was not present earlier. With this new approach, we have prepared the playground completely for solar rates. Forms and Food Banks and Food Banks and Small Business.
“While no agreement is correct, we are happy with the result of this conversation and hope that Commissioner West will agree in the best interest of Virginia.”