Last DSIRE Review: 09/21/2012
Program Overview:
| State: |
District of Columbia |
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, CHP/Cogeneration, Anaerobic Digestion, Small Hydroelectric, Tidal Energy, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels, Microturbines |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Residential |
| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities
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| System Capacity Limit: | 1 MW
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| Aggregate Capacity Limit: | No limit specified
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| Net Excess Generation: | Credited to customer's next bill indefinitely at retail rate (including generation, transmission and distribution) for systems 100 kW or less, and at generation rate for larger systems up to 1MW. |
| REC Ownership: | Customer-generator unless indicated otherwise
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| Meter Aggregation: | Not addressed
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| Web Site: |
http://www.dcpsc.org/customerchoice/whatis/electric/elec_restruc....
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Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
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DC Code ยง 34-1501 et seq.
05/09/2000 (subsequently amended)
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Authority 2:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
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DCMR 15-900 et seq.
02/18/2005 (subsequently amended)
02/18/2005
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Authority 3:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
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PSC Order No. 15837
06/11/2010
06/18/2010
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Authority 4:
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Net Metering Fact Sheet
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Summary:
In the District of Columbia (DC), net metering is currently available to residential and commercial customer-generators with systems powered by renewable-energy sources, combined heat and power (CHP), fuel cells and microturbines, with a maximum capacity of 1 megawatt (MW). The term "renewable energy sources" is defined as solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric power and digester gas. In October 2008, the Clean and Affordable Energy Act of 2008 (Council Bill 17-492) expanded the limit on individual system size from 100 kilowatts (kW) to 1 MW . On June 11, 2010, DC PSC issued Order No. 15837 adopting final Net Energy Metering (NEM) Rules and directing Pepco to file a new NEM tariff and standard contract consistent with the Commission’s Notice of Final Rulemaking (NOFR). The NOFR was issued in the D.C. Register on June 18, 2010.
The District's net-metering rules specify that metering equipment must be capable of measuring the flow of electricity in two directions. Utilities are not prohibited from installing an additional meter on the facilities of eligible customer-generators, but utilities that choose to do so must pay for the added cost of the second meter and/or other necessary equipment. Compensation for monthly net excess generation (NEG) varies based on the size of the generator. For systems of 100 kW or less, NEG is credited to the customer's next bill at the full retail rate, which includes generation, transmission, and distribution components.* For systems with capacities of, or greater than, 100 kW, NEG is credited to the customer's next bill at the generation rate. Credits for NEG are expressed as a dollar value on the customer's bill and may be carried forward indefinitely.
Utilities (i.e., Pepco) must offer a standard net-metering contract approved by the PSC. The District's net metering rules also contain sections addressing net metering for customers of competitive electricity suppliers. The rules for crediting NEG are essentially the same as those used for customer-generators that receive standard offer service, but it should be noted that competitive suppliers are not required to offer net metering if they do not choose to do so.
*In June 2008, the DC PSC clarified that Pepco (PSC Order No. 14840) must award net-metered customers credit at the utility's full retail rate for the electricity they generate during a billing cycle. This provision remains in the current rules for systems of 100 kW or less.
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Contact:
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Grace Hu
DC Public Service Commission
1333 H St. N.W. Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 626-5548
Fax: (202) 393-1389
E-Mail: ghu@psc.dc.gov
Web Site: http://www.dcpsc.org/
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