Idaho Power – Net Metering

Idaho does not have a statewide net-metering policy. However, each of the state’s three investor-owned utilities — Avista Utilities, Idaho Power, and Rocky Mountain Power — has developed a net-metering tariff that has been approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Idaho Power’s net-metering tariff is Schedule 84. Systems owned or operated by residential and small general service customers must be 25 kW or smaller to participate in net metering. Large general service, large power service, and agriculture irrigation service customers may own or operate a system up to 100 kW to participate. 

In July 2013, the PUC issued an order in response to Idaho Power’s application to modify its net metering program. The ruling removed a previously existing service capacity cap of 2.9 MW and changed compensation for net excess generation to a kilowatt hour (kWh) credit that may be carried forward indefinitely. It also rejected Idaho Power’s proposal to move residential and small commercial customers to new service tariffs with increased monthly service charges and new basic load capacity charges. The net excess generation changes took effect in January of 2014. 

In a supplemental order issued in November, 2013, the PUC required Idaho Power to provide meter aggregation for net metered customers with multiple meters on the same property or property contiguous to the net metered system. To transfer credits between meters, all eligible meters must be on the same primary feeder, must be a similar rate class, and must be under the same name or financial responsibility. A meter aggregation fee of $10 applies.

In May 2018, the PUC issued an order requiring Idaho Power to conduct a comprehensive study into on-site generation in terms of rates, rate design, and compensation. In response, Idaho Power filed a Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VODER) study in June of 2022. The PUC issued an order in December 2022, acknowledging an amended version of the study and directing Idaho Power to file a new case requesting to implement changes to the current on-site customer generation offering (expected to be file in the first half of 2023). Existing residential and small general service customers with on-site generation as of December 20, 2019 have be grandfathered into the current service offering. The provisions apply to the system rather than the customer and grandfathering will end on December 20, 2045. New on-site generation customers are subject to future changes in billing and compensation structure.

Under Idaho Power’s net-metering tariff, the customer is responsible for “all costs associated with any [utility] additions, modifications, or upgrades to any [utility] facilities that the [utility] determines are necessary as a result of the installation of the [generator] in order to maintain a safe, reliable electrical system.”