Last DSIRE Review: 04/22/2013
Program Overview:
| State: |
West Virginia |
| Incentive Type: |
Net Metering |
| Eligible Efficiency Technologies: |
CHP/Cogeneration |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, Small Hydroelectric, Renewable Fuels, Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels |
| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial, Industrial, Residential, Nonprofit, Local Government, Multi-Family Residential, Agricultural |
| Applicable Utilities: | All utilities |
| System Capacity Limit: | IOUs with more than 30,000 customers: 2 MW for industrial; 500 kW for commercial; 25 kW for residential.
IOUs with fewer than 30,000 customers, municipal utilities and co-ops: 50 kW for commercial and industrial; 25 kW for residential. |
| Aggregate Capacity Limit: | 3% of peak demand during the previous year
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| Net Excess Generation: | Credited to customer's next bill at retail rate with no annual true-up (perpetual rollover) |
| REC Ownership: | Not addressed |
| Meter Aggregation: | Allowed |
Authority 1:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
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W. Va. Code ยง 24-2F-1 et seq.
06/02/2009
07/01/2009
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Authority 2:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
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General Order No. 258
06/30/2010
08/30/2010
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Authority 3:
Date Enacted:
Date Effective:
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General Order No. 258.1
05/19/2011
07/18/2011
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Summary:
Net metering in West Virginia is available to all retail electricity customers. System capacity limits vary depending on the customer type and electric utility type, according to the following table.
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Customer Type |
IOUs with 30,000 customers or more |
IOUs with fewer than 30,000 customers, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives |
|
Residential |
25 kW |
25 kW |
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Commercial |
500 kW |
50 kW |
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Industrial |
2 MW |
50 kW |
Systems that generate electricity using "alternative" or "renewable energy" resources are eligible for net metering, including photovoltaics (PV), wind, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, run of the river hydropower, biofuels, fuel cells, and combined heat and power (technically called "recycled energy" in the rules). Net excess generation (NEG) may be carried over to a customer-generator's next bill as a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit at retail rate and may be rolled over, indefinitely. The credits may only be applied to the energy portion of the bill (not fixed costs or demand charges, for example). Customers may aggregate meters (either physically or virtually) and apply net metering credits earned on one meter to additional meters, as long as they are located within two miles of the point of generation. The associated costs of meter aggregation are the responsibility of the customer.
Net metering may be accomplished using a single, bi-directional meter or two meters. In the event that two meters are used, the net number of kWh for billing purposes will be determined by subtracting the amount of electricity flowing from the customer to the utility from the amount of electricity flowing from the utility to the customer. Net-metering tariffs must be identical in rate structure, retail-rate components, and monthly charges, to the tariff for which the customer would qualify if that customer were not a customer-generator. Customers on a time-of-use (TOU) tariff are permitted to net meter.
The issue of who owns the alternative energy credits (also known as renewable energy credits, or RECs) remains unresolved. The PSC must establish rules regarding alternative energy credits for the alternative energy portfolio standard, and as a result, the PSC has not yet addressed credit ownership for the purpose of net metering.
Each customer with a net-metered system up to 50 kW must carry a minimum of $100,000 in liability insurance. Customers with systems greater than 50 kW and up to 500 kW are required to carry a minimum of $500,000, and customers with systems greater than 500 kW must carry a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance.
History
The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved consensus filings regarding net metering and interconnection guidelines in December 2006. The approved consensus provisions include proposed rules that apply to all electric utilities in the state. Utility tariffs incorporating the consensus net-metering provisions took effect in March 2007. In June 2010, the PSC adopted new net metering and interconnection procedures. In May 2011, the PSC clarified the definition of "run-of -river hydropower" to match the definition in the Alternative and Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard.
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Contact:
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General Information - PSC
West Virginia Public Service Commission
201 Brooks Street
P.O. Box 812
Charleston, WV 25323
Phone: (800) 344-5113
Fax: (304) 340-0325
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