NV Energy reaches solar rate ‘grandfathering’ agreement

ME regulators are proposing changes to an energy policy that lets solar owners receive credits on their utility bill for energy they sell back to the grid.

Rooftop solar system. Author: Centre for Alternative Technology. The Las Vegas Sun reports, according to terms of the deal, qualified customers would be grandfathered in under the old rate structure for 20 years.

“This agreement is a victory not only for 32,000 solar customers in Nevada, but also for all Americans who expect these investments to be protected”, Jon Wellinghoff, SolarCity’s chief policy officer, said in a statement.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is considering a rule change that would allow residents with solar- electric panels to continue to receive full payments for the power they generate and send to the grid for another 15 years. “We appreciate all parties coming together to expedite the process on behalf of our customers”.

Solar energy advocates had asked regulators to wait on any reform until legislators return in January. If approved, the grandfathering agreement will be in effect for 20 years.

The agreement is still pending approval from the PUC. In a statement he said: “I am pleased with the result and believe it is in the best interests of all Nevadans”.

Solar companies fought back, but failed in an effort to bring the rates before voters in November.

The battle is expected to switch next year to the Nevada Legislature. The new rules would keep energy supply credits the same while gradually reducing transmission and distribution credits. State lawmakers were responsible for kicking the new rate decision to the PUC after washing its hands off the net metering debate in frustration during the last session. “We don’t pick winners and losers, we pick the lowest cost”.

Since then, hundreds of homeowners and dozens of solar installers, businesses and municipalities have filed initial comments at the PUC.