What It All Means: Solar Regulatory World 101
Sara Baldwin AuckIREC Regulatory Program Director
October 21, 2014www.irecusa.org
@IRECUSA#3iForum
Regulatory Director, Interstate Renewable Energy Council
“So…what do you do for work?”
A Key Ingredient to a Stable, Robust Solar Market
The Regulatory World: What is it?
What it All Means?
Consumer Empowerment
Expanded Access
Attracting Financing Shaping Future Investments
Consistency, Stability, & Predictability
Adoption of National Best Practices
Implementing Policies | Removing Barriers
Clean Energy Future
At the Table: IREC’s Regulatory Team
• Healthy appetite for complex issues• Developer of best practices, model regulatory
rules and standards• State-level engagement, national perspective • Independent, fact-based experts• Translate technical jargon into impactful
regulatory reforms
IREC Regulatory Activity 2012-2014 (US DOE SunShot Initiative)
IREC Regulatory Activity 2007 – 2011 (Other US DOE contracts)
What’s on the menu?
Grid ModernizationNet Metering, VOST, NEM 2.0Distributed Energy Storage
Interconnection Reform Permitting ReformShared Renewables Dessert
Grid Modernization
Grid Modernization
Complementary Regulatory Reforms
***New Models &
Performance-based Incentives
More distributed energy resources and
energy storage
Higher penetrations of
renewable energy
More efficient use of energy
Modern, resilient low-
carbon electricity grid
Who’s Leading the Charge?
California: • Net Metering 2.0• Distributed Resource Planning (DRPs)• Interconnection Reforms• New Energy Storage Requirement
Hawaii: • Interconnection Reforms (improved technical screens)• Energy Storage + Solar PV• NEM 2.0 ?
Massachusetts:• 10-year grid modernization plans
• Distribution grid mapping and integrated planning
New York:• Reforming the Energy Vision
• Clean Energy Fund• Solar PV/Net Metering Valuation
Learn More Here Booth #3909: Wednesday @ 10:30 am and Thurs @ 12 pm!
Net Metering (and VOST, NEM 2.0…)
NV: PUC docket 13-07010, E3
developed study proving NEM’s benefit to grid
VT: 2012 legislation directed the V PSB
to complete an evaluation of NEM
MN: 2013 legislation required development
of a VOST, methodology complete
AZ: ACC workshops to develop methodology. Multiple studies to date
CA: 2012 legislation required a CPUC study of
costs and benefits of NEM; LADWP considering
VOS approach; new NEM 2.0 Docket
CO: PUC considering Xcel
cost/benefit study of NEM
TX: Austin Energy developed a VOST in 2012; San Antonio’s CPS will be
replacing NEM with a SunCredit tariff
NC: In docket No. E-100 Sub 136, NCUC
is examining avoided cost
methodology. PNNL study just released.
SC: E3 chosen to develop valuation methodology for
PSC
WA: Docket UE-131883 to discuss costs and
benefits of DG
LA: Consultant chosen to conduct benefit/cost study
OR: PUC recently held a workshop to discuss solar rates
in docket UM 1452
HI: NARUC funded a NEM
benefit/cost study from E3
AL: Consultant hired by PSC in 2014 to study
costs-benefits of NEM
MS: Valuation study
completed
ME: 2014 legislation directed PUC to
complete VOS study
UT: Defeat of proposed solar
charge, valuation study forthcoming
Net Metering and Solar Valuation
Learn More Here (Booth #3909): Today @ 1 pm!
Distributed Energy Storage
Energy Storage
New Report: Economics of Grid Defection Rocky Mountain Institute, Feb 2014 www.rmi.org/
electricity_grid_defection
• Energy storage requirement (1.3 GW by 2020)• Interconnection cost waiver for RE+storage NEM systems
• 200 MW of large storage to ease high penetrations of RE • Looking at solar PV+distributed storage value methodology
Interconnection Reform
Interconnection Reform • Improved efficiency, cost allocation, and certainty• Striking a balance (time, resources, safety, reliability) • Refining, updating evolving technical standards • FERC Order - Improvements to Small Generator
Interconnection Procedures to handle higher volumes of small distributed generators
Learn More Here Booth #3909: Today @ 11 am and Thurs @ 11 am!
Shared Solar
Shared SolarKey Issues: • Program structure• Value for Energy• Finance-ability• Ownership• Expanding access to all potential customers
Markets to watch:
Learn More Here (Booth #3909): Today @ 3 pm and Wed @ 3 pm!
Rate DesignAvoided Costs Demand Response/Energy EfficiencyUtility Business ModelsRevised Regulatory Framework
Dessert Anyone?
