Avista Wants To Expand Net-Metering Program

Avista Utilities is asking the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for authority to increase the size of small, customer-owned generation projects that can qualify for the company's net-metering program.

Currently, customers owning projects up to a capacity of 25 kW are eligible to receive credits for the generation they produce on wind, solar, biomass or hydropower projects. Avista wants to increase the size of projects that qualify to 100 kW. The PUC is taking customer comments on the proposal through June 17.

Avista allows customers to enroll as net-metering customers on a first-come, first-served basis until the cumulative generating capacity of all customers equals 1.52 MW, or about 0.1% of Avista's retail peak demand.

SOURCE: Idaho Public Utilities Commission