{"id":5897,"date":"2023-08-01T01:05:44","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T08:05:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westernsolarinc.com\/?p=5897"},"modified":"2023-09-27T15:03:24","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T22:03:24","slug":"net-metering-with-puget-sound-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westernsolarinc.com\/net-metering-with-puget-sound-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Net Metering with Puget Sound Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"[spb_text_block pb_margin_bottom=”no” pb_border_bottom=”no” el_class=”tidyPost” width=”1\/1″ el_position=”first last”]\n
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Puget Sound Energy net meter<\/p><\/div>\n

Revised August 17, 2023 to reflect WSU Energy Program’s most up-to-date net metering capacity data.<\/em><\/p>\n

Revised September 27, 2023 to reflect PSE’s updated net metering statement on Customer Connected Solar<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re considering going solar or seeking to maximize the benefits of your existing system, net metering plays a pivotal role in making solar possible in the Pacific Northwest. Net metering allows solar owners to not only generate their electricity during our long and sunny summer days, but to also share excess power with the grid, earning credits that can be used to offset future electric bills.<\/p>\n

Electric utilities in Washington are required to offer net metering to their customers, until the utility reaches a set cap. As our state\u2019s largest utility, Puget Sound Energy\u2019s cap equates to a generating capacity of about 177.6 MW, which far outpaces other utilities; however, PSE customers have risen to the occasion. At last count, PSE net meters over 155 MW of solar, meaning their net metering cap is on the horizon.<\/p>\n

This article delves into the details of Washington\u2019s net metering law, exploring how it works, the current status of Puget Sound Energy\u2019s net metering program, and what we do and don\u2019t know about future changes to net metering.<\/p>\n

RCW 80.60: Washington\u2019s net metering law<\/h2>\n

Under Washington State law, electric utilities are required to allow you to send excess electricity back onto the grid and credit your account in kilowatt-hours for the excess generation; this is called net metering (also referred to as 1:1, meaning when you export 1 kWh out to the grid, they give you a credit for 1 kWh which you can use at any time). This credit remains on your account until you use it, but the credit bank does reset each year on March 31st in accordance with state law. Any credit remaining at that time is zeroed out and the cycle starts again. (RCW 80.60.030<\/a>)<\/p>\n

This law requires utilities to offer net metering \u201cuntil the earlier of either: (i) June 30, 2029; or (ii) the first date upon which the cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals four percent of the utility\u2019s peak demand during 1996.\u201d Utilities that reach this 4% cap have the option to continue to offer net metering at current 1:1 rates or to develop a different rate structure for new systems. (RCW 80.60.020<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Rate-change proposals from investor-owned utilities, such as Puget Sound Energy, must be reviewed by the Utilities and Transportation Commission before taking effect. Per RCW 80.60.020<\/a>, \u201cThe commission must approve, reject, or approve with conditions a net metering tariff schedule pursuant to this subsection within one year of an electrical company filing. If the commission approves the filing with conditions, the investor-owned utility may choose to accept the tariff schedule with conditions or file a new tariff schedule with the commission.\u201d The commission must also determine when customer-generators become ineligible for the net metering credit.<\/p>\n

Every six months, each electric utility must provide information on the progress toward their 4% net metering capacity. The Washington State University Energy Program is required to make the following information for each utility publicly available:<\/p>\n