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CUC processing 18 net-metering applications
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is currently processing 18 net-metering applications since the board approved the program last October, according to CUC executive director Alan Fletcher.
Net metering is a low-cost type of renewable energy technology that allows customers to bank their energy and use it at their convenience and then sell any excess power they produce to CUC.
The CUC board approved net metering for its residential customers in October 2014, allowing residential customers of CUC to install solar panels in their homes and get paid for any excess power that is returned to the CUC grid.
Fletcher clarified, though, that right now, they are accepting application for the net metering program from residential customers only.
CUC is currently not working on a program for commercial businesses, he added.
Before CUC could go all-out on the net metering program, CUC will still have to wait on the current power supply resources request for proposals set by Leidos Engineering LLC, which is due Feb. 23, 2015.
Next, will be an additional analytical work that is needed to determine cost and pricing tariffs to fund centralized storage systems and to recover fixed cost components of supplying base-load power.
“The current net metering law is based on practices in the U.S. and not appropriate for an isolated island nation on 100 percent diesel electric and results in cost shifts (subsidy) by general ratepayers,” Fletcher said.
“My position is that tariffs for residential net energy metering should encourage private investment by consumers without offering excessive profits at the expense of other customers. Also, that a larger system, if approved, should pay for the storage necessary to offset operational effects. In doing so, it has been recommended that CUC collect funds from net-metering customers to invest in centralized storage to ensure operational stability,” he added.
