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Connecticut

Connecticut

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Printable Version
Net Metering   

Last DSIRE Review: 07/23/2012
Program Overview:
State: Connecticut
Incentive Type: Net Metering
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Fuel Cells, Municipal Solid Waste, Small Hydroelectric, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Ocean Thermal, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels
Applicable Sectors: Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Schools, Local Government, State Government, Fed. Government, Multi-Family Residential, Agricultural, Institutional
Applicable Utilities:Investor-owned utilities
System Capacity Limit:2 MW
Aggregate Capacity Limit:No limit specified
Net Excess Generation:Credited to customer's next bill at retail rate; excess reconciled annually
REC Ownership:Customer owns RECs
Meter Aggregation:Yes (virtual net metering allowed for municipal customers)
Web Site: http://www.ctenergyinfo.com/dpuc_net_metering.htm
Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-243h
1998 (subsequently amended)
7/1/1998
Authority 2:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-244u
07/01/2011
07/01/2011
Summary:

Connecticut's two investor-owned utilities -- Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) and United Illuminating Company (UI) -- are required to provide net metering to customers that generate electricity using "Class I" renewable-energy resources, which include solar, wind, landfill gas, fuel cells, sustainable biomass, ocean-thermal power, wave or tidal power, low-emission advanced renewable-energy conversion technologies, and hydropower facilities up to two megawatts (MW) in capacity.

There is no stated limit on the aggregate capacity of net-metered systems in a utility's service territory. Any net excess generation (NEG) during a monthly billing period is carried over to the following month as a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit for one year. At the end of the year (March 31), the utility pays the customer for any remaining NEG at the "avoided cost of wholesale power." (See specific utility rate tariffs for details).

In July 2011, Connecticut established virtual net metering for municipal customers only. A virtual net metering facility, like all net metering facilities, must generate electricity using Class I renewable energy and may serve the electricity needs of the municipal host customer and additional "beneficial accounts" as long as the beneficial accounts and host account are within the same electric distribution company's service territory. Up to five beneficial accounts may be assigned. If a municipal host customer produces more electricity that it consumes, the excess electricity will be credited to the beneficial accounts for the next billing period at the retail rate (note: only the generation portion of the bill is netted). Excess credits rollover monthly for one year. The electric distribution company is to compensate the municipal host customer for excess virtual net metering credits remaining at the end of the calendar, if any, at the retail generation rate. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection established docket 11-07-05 and subsequently approved the utilities' virtual net metering tariffs during spring 2012.



 
Contact:
  Mark Quinlan
Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
10 Franklin Square
New Britain, CT 06051
Phone: (860) 827-1553
E-Mail: mark.quinlan@po.state.ct.us
Web Site: http://www.ct.gov/dpuc/site/default.asp
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Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

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