District of Columbia
Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
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Last DSIRE Review: 07/01/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| State: |
District of Columbia |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric,
Photovoltaics,
Wind,
Biomass,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Fuel Cells,
CHP/Cogeneration,
Anaerobic Digestion,
Small Hydroelectric,
Tidal Energy,
Microturbines
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Residential
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| 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 at retail rate; carries over indefinitely
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| REC Ownership: | Customer and utility own RECs
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| Meter Aggregation: | Not addressed
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Web Site: |
http://www.dcpsc.org/
customerchoice/whatis/electric/elec_restruc.shtm#Link20
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Authority 1:
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DC Code § 34-1501 et seq.
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| Date Enacted: | 05/09/2000 (amended 2008) |
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Authority 2:
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DCMR 15-900
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| Date Enacted: | 02/18/2005 (amended 2008) |
| Date Effective: | 02/18/2005 |
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Authority 3:
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DC PSC Order No. 14840
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| Date Enacted: | 06/25/2008 |
| Date Effective: | 07/04/2008 |
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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 MW. The term "renewable energy sources" is defined as solar, wind, tidal, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric power and digester gas. Legislation in October 2008 (Council Bill 17-492) expanded the limit on individual system size from 100 kW to 1 MW. While this change is not yet reflected in the District's administrative rules (click here to view the PSC's Proposed Rules for this change, issued in October 2009), Pepco's recent January 2009 net metering tariff filing allows for net metering up to 1 MW.
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. Net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer's next bill at the utility's full retail rate.* The renewable-energy credits (RECs) associated with customer generation are shared between the customer-generator and the utility. Utilities must offer a standard net-metering contract approved by the PSC.
*Pepco is the only electric distribution company that serves the District. In June 2008, the DC PSC clarified that Pepco (Order 14840) must award net-metered customers credit at the utility's full retail rate for the electricity they generate during a billing cycle.
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Contact:
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Information Specialist - PSC
DC Public Service Commission
1333 H St. N.W. Suite 200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 626-5100
Fax: (202) 393-1389
Web Site: http://www.dcpsc.org/
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Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.
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