| State: |
Wisconsin |
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Municipal Solid Waste, CHP/Cogeneration, Small Hydroelectric, Other Distributed Generation Technologies |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential |
| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities |
| System Capacity Limit: | 20 kW (some utilities allow net metering for systems up to 100 kW) |
| Aggregate Capacity Limit: | No limit specified |
| Net Excess Generation: | Varies by utility; Generally credited to customer's next bill at retail rate for renewables and avoided-cost rate for non-renewables
Xcel: Credit is carried over monthly and reconciled annually, at the avoided-cost rate |
| REC Ownership: | Not addressed |
| Meter Aggregation: | Not addressed |
| Web Site: |
http://psc.wi.gov/renewables/netMetering.htm
|
Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
|
PSCW Order, Docket No. 05-EP-6
09/18/1992
|
Authority 2:
Date Enacted:
|
PSC Order, Docket 4220-UR-117
12/22/2011
|
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) issued an order on January 26, 1982 requiring all regulated utilities to file tariffs allowing net metering to customers that generate electricity with systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW)* in capacity. The order applies to investor-owned utilities and municipal utilities, but not to electric cooperatives. All distributed-generation (DG) systems, including renewables and combined heat and power (CHP), are eligible. There is no limit on total enrollment.
The PSC has not adopted administrative rules for net metering.** Utilities' net-metering tariffs contain some variations. Customer net excess generation (NEG) is generally credited at the utility's retail rate for renewables, and at the utility's avoided-cost rate for non-renewables. NEG credit is carried over to the customer's next bill. If NEG credit exceeds $25, then the utility must issue a check for the amount, payable to the customer. In December 2011, the PSC approved a process for Xcel to reconcile NEG credits to customers on an annual basis at the avoided-cost rate.
* Some utilities allow net metering for systems larger than 20 kW. In these cases, excess generation rates, carry-over processes, and capacity limits vary by utility. These provisions are specified in the utility tariffs.
** Subsequent PSC decisions issued June 21, 1983 in docket numbers 05-ER-11, 05-ER-12 and 05-ER-13, further implemented Sections 201 and 210 of the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 (PURPA). These decisions were confirmed by an order issued September 18, 1992, in docket number 05-EP-6. This last order addresses net metering as it applies to Wisconsin's investor-owned utilities.
