Dec 27, 2015 now, in what amounts to a massive bait and switch for the local solar industry and its customers right before the holidays, the governors puc has chosen to punish over 12,000 existing solar. Nevadas public utility commission pucn has effectively created a solar black hole for the statues growing distributed energy movement, voting unanimously on wednesday against requests to delay. Solarcity stopping nevada sales, installations after puc ruling. Home page public utilities commission public utilities. Governor sandovals puc owes nevadans the truth about decision to kill rooftop solar.
Regulators deal a blow to rooftop solar industry las vegas. The solar program is subject to changes made by the nevada legislature and the pucn. The colorado public utilities commission puc serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonablypriced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state. Nevadas bizarre decision to throttle its own solar industry, explained. New alliance files referendum petition to reverse the nevada pucs decision to eliminate the rooftop solar industry. No state considering nem changes has reneged on existing contracts like the nevada puc has done.
Nevada puc chair thomsens ties to nv energy probed. Headed for the exits, nevada puc commissioner david noble lifts lid on net metering fight noble, who wont be reappointed to the commission, spoke out against solar lobbying. Todays decision finally brought solar back to nevada. Why sunpower is expanding in nevada as solarcity leaves the. It was a decision by the public utility commission of nevada pucn in december that delivered a fatal blow to rooftop solar in the sunniest state in the u. A nevada utility regulator says that raising fees for rooftop solar customers has not killed the industry in his state. Nevadas net metering transition in context utah law digital. Thomsen said the puc is simply phasing out the net metering subsidy that has been in place in nevada since 1997.
Effective june 15, 2017, nevadans who choose to net meter will fall under a rate structure set by the nevada legislature in assembly bill 405 ab 405. Several weeks into the job, and all we get from chairman thomsen is a decision that expands the profits of a utility. How a solar decision in nevada could shape the 2016 presidential results. This rate structure applies to renewable energy systems of not more than 25 kilowatts, which is typical of a rooftop solar system installed at a home or small business. Solar advocates have praised the public utilities commission of nevada pucn for issuing a key decision on friday implementing the states. Solar advocates praise nevada puc decision solar industry. Hardly a bastion of liberal solar advocacy, politico notes that while the koch brothers didnt directly have a hand in the nevada puc decision, the pucs lethal blowto rooftop solar. This rate will be in effect until the amount of electricity produced. Nevada puc to reconsider grandfathering rooftop solar. The companies cumulatively laid off more than 600 employees after the pucs decision and halted rooftop solar sales in the state. He said, first of all, i would not call this a solar rate hike, i would say were. More than 17,000 nevada households who installed solar panels under programs promoted and supported by the state and the public utilities commission remain stranded by. Carson city the public utilities commission of nevada pucn issued a key decision implementing ab405a bill which passed the legislature with bipartisan support and governor sandoval signed into law on june 15 to immediately bring rooftop solar back to nevada. Following antisolar decision by governor sandovals puc.
Public utilities commission of nevada makes decision on. If you are in need of documents or need to make a filing with the commission please email the documents to the commission secretary email. Nevada boosts solar power, reversing course scientific. During the recession, rooftop solar was the bright spot in the nevada economy, helton tells desmog. My response to governor brian sandoval and the puc about the. Nevadas antirooftop solar decision mirrors lobbys template. Application of nevada power company dba nv energy, under the provisions of the utility environmental protection act, for a permit to construct the dry lake solar energy center project consisting of a 150 mw solar photovoltaic generation facility, a 230 kv overhead transmission line connecting to the existing harry allen substation, and. Jan 14, 2016 nevada decision guts the states thriving solar industry. The solar lobbying group has filed suit in the wake of nevada regulators decision to lower net metering rates, increase fixed charges, and not grandfather in existing customers under old rates. The california public utilities commission regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies, in addition to authorizing video franchises. The commission agreed to grandfather the customers under an agreement between nv energy, solar city and the bureau of consumer protection. In 2014 alone, nevada added 3,500 solar jobs, more than nves. The contentious nevada net metering battle has had consequences for many, including the departure of rooftop solar installer solarcity and sunrun, numerous lawsuits against the nevada puc, and news gov.
The nevada legislature created the current version of the solar energy systems incentive program solar program during the 2007 legislative session to encourage the development of renewable energy. If the nevada public utilities commission fails to reverse its decision, as the states solar companies have requested, they plan to sue. Puc gets it wrong with rooftop solar ruling las vegas. In a win for existing nevada solar customers on tuesday, the nevada state district court for carson city ruled that a pucn decision to hike rates on existing solar customers earlier this year was made through an unlawful process that left existing solar customers with inadequate notice and did not satisfy the due process clause of the nevada constitution. Consumer complaints solar installation companies net. The decision restored more favorable net metering rates for some rooftop solar customers in northern nevada. The nevada puc has kneecapped solar in the state and is sticking to it. The minnesota public utilities commission puc regulates three cornerstone service industries in minnesotas economy, i. The intrepid solar pioneers who were the early solar adopters will now see their investment ruined. Jan 07, 2016 the changes will apply retroactively to all netmetered solar customers. The stunning decision ignored results of the pucns own study and drew. The solar foundation estimates that, at the end of 2015, there were almost 8,700 solar jobs in the state. Nevada puc decides on 12year plan to gradually raise solar.
The real impact is more than 25x greater than thatthe average nevada power solar. Before the nevada decision, the only state to approve a major rollback was wisconsin, where solar is much less popular. That is what nevada is doing with rooftop solar and net energy metering. Nevada regulators deny solar nem grandfathering proposal. The pucn makes determinations in a number of renewable energyrelated dockets, has oversight authority regarding electric and gas utilities administration of renewable energy incentive and demonstration programs, and administers the portfolio energy credit program. Net metering in nevada is a public policy and political issue surrounding the rates that nevada public utilities are required to pay to purchase excess energy produced by electric customers who generate their own electricity, such as through rooftop solar panels. As a result of the pucs decision regarding fees on solar customers, a wide majority of nevada voters agree there should be a special session of the legislature to reverse the decision and allow up to 5% of nevadas energy to come from solar. Nevada puc chair speaks out on solar decision krnv. May 09, 2016 during the recession, rooftop solar was the bright spot in the nevada economy, helton tells desmog. This is the current net metering rate for those who agree to net meter on or after the effective date of june 15, 2017. Brian sandoval r will not reappoint noble to another term at the end of this year. In january 2017, nv energy asked the public utilities commission to reverse a decision regarding net metering rates for future solar customers.
Such a scene would have been difficult to imagine in december 2015 when the public utilities commission voted to end net metering as the credits. The nevada puc decision was the latest blow to solar in the ongoing conflict between the solar industry and with its customers, and utility nv energy. Joint application of nevada power company dba nv energy and sierra pacific power company dba nv energy for approval of annual plans for the solar energy systems incentive program, the wind energy systems demonstration program, the waterpower energy systems demonstration program, the energy storage and lower income components of the solar. Nevada puc chair noble speaks on nevada rooftop solar net. Sep 14, 2016 in a win for existing nevada solar customers on tuesday, the nevada state district court for carson city ruled that a pucn decision to hike rates on existing solar customers earlier this year was made through an unlawful process that left existing solar customers with inadequate notice and did not satisfy the due process clause of the nevada constitution. Mar 22, 2016 the solar lobbying group has filed suit in the wake of nevada regulators decision to lower net metering rates, increase fixed charges, and not grandfather in existing customers under old rates. Patricia farley r that punted the final decision on net metering over to the. Jul 28, 2016 the contentious nevada net metering battle has had consequences for many, including the departure of rooftop solar installer solarcity and sunrun, numerous lawsuits against the nevada puc, and news gov.
Nevada puc approves net metering rules expected to reboot the. Net metering customers will pay the same basic service charge and other fees as nonnet metering customers. This decision by the public utilities commission is a setback in our efforts to make nevada the solar capital of the country. Last wednesday, the public utilities commission voted unanimously to effectively end rooftop solar in nevada and public anger continues to grow. Inquiry triggered by sweeping christmas bait and switch decision to wipe out solar jobs and savings citizen outrage is building in nevada in the wake of the sweeping christmas baitandswitch decision that the public utilities commission of nevada puc made on. We were booming and now were dead how nevadas solar. Pucs decision goes beyond solar to water conservation las. The nevada public utility commissions decision to amend rates for net metering has left solar installers in the state in a precarious position with business having all but ground to a halt. Nevada is one of the sunniest states in the country, and until recently it was one of the best places to go solar. Until further notice, pucn offices are closed to the public per governor sisolaks order. The puc is working against the people of nevada and on behalf of nv energy. The solar debate became even more heated following the december rate hike and the decision by the puc in january to keep the new rates, leading to.
Puc solar decision raises questions reno gazette journal. Such a scene would have been difficult to imagine in december 2015 when the public utilities. Nevada puc approves net metering rules expected to reboot. We saw this coming, nevada assembly candidate vinny. The solar program is defined by the legislature in nrs 701b. These policies and rules govern everything from renewable energy mandates to interconnection, and have a huge effect on the viability of solar. That was the problem with the puc s decision in december to. The pucn regulates the solar program through regulations adopted in nac 701b. Thats why the nevada solar industry grew so quickly over the past two years. New alliance files referendum petition to reverse the. The minnesota public utilities commissions mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with state telecommunications.
How a solar decision in nevada could shape the 2016. New alliance files referendum petition to reverse the nevada pucs decision. The decision comes after utility regulators voted to phase out net metering credits and hike fixed fees on all residential solar customers in december 2015. Nevada puc oks policies to help rooftop solar industry grow las. Solar power in nevada is growing due to a renewable portfolio standard which requires 20% renewable energy by 2015, and 5% from solar power. My response to governor brian sandoval and the puc about. Solarcity statement on nevada public utilities commission. Pucs decision goes beyond solar to water conservation. Nevada decision guts the states thriving solar industry. The nv energy team is preparing to implement the program changes outlined in todays decision and will work diligently to support our.
Sep 01, 2017 carson city the public utilities commission of nevada pucn issued a key decision implementing ab405a bill which passed the legislature with bipartisan support and governor sandoval signed into law on june 15 to immediately bring rooftop solar back to nevada. Voters oppose puc solar decision, want special session. Solar energy the public utilities commission of nevada state of. The pucs decision orders the utility to charge solar and nonsolar customers the same fees and sets compensation levels for tranches of. Headed for the exits, nevada puc commissioner david noble lifts lid on net metering fight noble, who wont be reappointed. Jun 16, 2017 nevada boosts solar power, reversing course. Sep 05, 2017 solar advocates have praised the public utilities commission of nevada pucn for issuing a key decision on friday implementing the states new net energy metering nem law and rejecting. Now, in what amounts to a massive bait and switch for the local solar industry and its customers right before the holidays, the governors puc has chosen to.
Public utilities commission staff denies lobbying contacts, but wont release nobles meeting records checks and balances project has been using public records requests to help citizens better understand the origins of what one couple called the christmas baitandswitch decision by the public utility commission of nevada pucn to end the solar rooftop industry in the silver state. Pucn pec administrator nevada public utilities commission. In a nation with respect for contract law, it is pretty shocking. Following antisolar decision by governor sandovals puc, solarcity to cease nevada sales and installations, fight to protect customers and employees. Nevadas antirooftop solar decision mirrors utility lobbys template. But passage of the law alone did not settle nevadas solar policy debate. Nevada regulators approve net metering draft order for nv energy. The nevada legislature created the current version of the solar energy systems incentive program solar program during the 2007 legislative session to. Background on solar jobs in nevada prior to the recent decision by the public utilities commission of nevada pucn, nevadas solar industry was growing at a rapid pace. Solar has been an uphill battle in nevada ever since a controversial decision last year to cut net metering that all but froze the entire rooftop solar residential market.
Nevada boosts solar power, reversing course scientific american. So we never expected that the public utilities commission of nevada would be given the power to bill us for the energy we contribute back to the. Tasc sues nevada puc to overturn net metering decision. The state has abundant open land areas and some of the best solar potential in the country.
The decision would retroactively sabotage the investments nevadans have already made in solar, even though they were encouraged by their government to make those investments. Thats largely because of a solid solar policy called net metering, which basically means each kilowatthour kwh of electricity produced by a solar system reduces the homeowners energy bill on a 1to1 basis, whether the energy is used to power the home or sent out to the grid. Nevada solar customers are likely to cheer the pucs decision. Solarcity stopping nevada sales, installations after puc. The policy information section contains all our latest research on the rules set by lawmakers and the public utilities commission, which determine how easy it is to go solar in nevada. Public utilties commission of nevada docket information. Public utilities commission of nevada makes decision on solar. Nevada puc agrees to grandfather net metering customers. Nevada solar fee retroactive, makes solarcity exit state. Individual or entity in possession of title for land or building where the solar panels or esd w as installed. Puc made a decision and it just devastated our industry, says robco president rob kowalczik.
Why sunpower is expanding in nevada as solarcity leaves the state. Nevada regulators unanimously approve rooftop solar. Headed for the exits, nevada puc commissioner david. In latest blow to solar users, nevada sticks with rate hikes. Thats largely because of a solid solar policy called net metering, which basically means each kilowatthour kwh of electricity produced by a solar system reduces the homeowners energy bill on a 1to1. Mar 11, 2016 nevada solar power business struggles to keep. Kevin romney, general manager of radiant solar solutions in las vegas, said. Nevada puc refuses to delay new net metering rates pv tech. Nevada solar power business struggles to keep the lights on. Regulators deal a blow to rooftop solar industry las. Nevada court overturns solar rate hike for existing customers.
Installations must be permitted through the local building authority and interconnections must be performed by a nevada licensed c 2 or c2g electrical contractor. Scty today announced that as a result of the decision by the nevada public utilities commission to severely undermine nevadans ability to go solar, the. Nevada s public utilities commission did not fully grandfather them in prior. It was a decision by the public utility commission of nevada pucn in december that delivered a. Nevada is killing home solar and punishing recent solar. Commissioner david noble, who had presided over the pucs net metering docket. But solar companies challenged that ruling and won. The changes will apply retroactively to all netmetered solar customers. We are currently working remotely until further notice. Solarcity is ceasing solar sales and installation in nevada effective immediately, following the nevada public utilities commissions puc recent antisolar decision on dec. Nevada puc approves net metering rules expected to reboot the states rooftop solar industry.
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