| Implementing Sector | State |
|---|---|
| Category | Regulatory Policy |
| State | Washington |
| Incentive Type | Net Metering |
| Web Site | http://www.utc.wa.gov/regulatedIndustries/utilities/energy/Pages/netMetering.aspx |
| Utilities | Alder Mutual Light Co, Inc, PUD No 1 of Benton County, Benton Rural Electric Assn, Big Bend Electric Coop, Inc, City of Blaine, City of Centralia, PUD No 1 of Chelan County, City of Cheney, City of Chewelah, PUD No 1 of Clallam County, PUD No 1 of Clark County, Clearwater Power Company, Columbia Rural Elec Assn, Inc, City of Coulee Dam, PUD No 1 of Cowlitz County, PUD No 1 of Douglas County, City of East Point, Town of Eatonville, Elmhurst Mutual Power & Light Co, City of Ellensburg, PUD No 1 of Ferry County, PUD No 1 of Franklin County, PUD No 1 of Grays Harbor Cnty, Inland Power & Light Company, PUD No 1 of Kittitas County, PUD No 1 of Klickitat County, Kootenai Electric Coop Inc, Lakeview Light & Power, PUD No 1 of Lewis County, City of McCleary, City of Milton, Modern Electric Water Company, Nespelem Valley Elec Coop, Inc, Northern Lights, Inc, Ohop Mutual Light Company, Inc, PUD No 1 of Okanogan County, Okanogan County Elec Coop, Inc, Orcas Power & Light Coop, Public Utility District No 2, PacifiCorp, Parkland Light & Water Company, PUD No 2 of Grant County, PUD No 1 of Pend Oreille Cnty, Peninsula Light Company, PUD No 1 of Asotin County, Port Angeles City of, Public Utility District No 1, PUD No 3 of Mason County, Puget Sound Energy Inc, City of Richland, Town of Ruston, Seattle City of, PUD No 1 of Skamania Co, Snohomish County PUD No 1, Town of Steilacoom, City of Sumas, Tacoma City of, Tanner Electric Coop, Vera Irrigation District #15, Avista Corp, PUD No 1 of Mason County, PUD No 1 of Whatcom County, Cashmere Light Dept. |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies | Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Photovoltaics, Wind (All), Hydroelectric, Combined Heat & Power, Fuel Cells using Non-Renewable Fuels, Wind (Small), Hydroelectric (Small), Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels |
| Applicable Sectors | Commercial, Industrial, Local Government, Nonprofit, Residential, Schools, State Government, Federal Government, Agricultural, Multifamily Residential, Low Income Residential, Institutional |
| Applicable Utilities | All utilities |
| System Capacity Limit | 100 kW |
| Aggregate Capacity Limit | 0.5% of utility's 1996 peak demand |
| Net Excess Generation | Credited to customer's next bill at retail rate; granted to utility at end of 12-month billing period without customer compensation |
| Ownership of Renewable Energy Credits | Not specified |
| Meter Aggregation | Allowed (up to 100 kW) |
In Washington, the net-metering regulation applies to systems with a capacity up to 100 kW that produce electricity from solar, wind, hydro, biogas from animal waste, fuel cells, or combined heat and power technologies. This policy is open to all customer categories, and it is mandatory for all utilities, including municipal utilities and electric cooperatives, to provide net metering.
Net metering is accessible on a first-come, first-served basis until June 30, 2029, or until the total capacity of net-metered systems reaches 4% of a utility’s 1996 peak demand, whichever comes first. A minimum of half of the utility’s total net metering capacity is allocated specifically for systems using renewable energy.
Customers are required to supply certain equipment like the current transformer enclosure (if necessary), meter socket(s), and junction box. The utility, on the other hand, must provide a bi-directional meter. Any net excess generation (NEG) is credited to the customer’s next bill at the retail rate of the utility. However, any remaining NEG as of March 31st each year is forfeited to the utility without compensation to the customer. Meter aggregation, which combines readings and billings for all meters on a customer’s property within the utility’s service area, can be requested by the customer. This aggregation is limited to 100 kW per customer, and the electricity produced is first used to offset the utility-supplied electricity; surplus kilowatt-hours are evenly credited to the customer’s other meters.
Net-metered systems must comply with safety, power quality, and interconnection standards set by the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code, IEEE, and UL. Utilities cannot impose additional safety or performance standards, require extra liability insurance, or charge additional fees without the approval of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC). Also, utilities are not responsible for any damage caused by net-metered systems.
Participating in Washington’s Renewable Energy Production Incentives does not affect the benefits gained through net metering. However, utilities may require separate meters for production, and customers must cover the costs for these meters. The state’s net-metering law does not specify the ownership of renewable energy credits (RECs) generated, but the production incentive law affirms that customer-generators retain ownership of these RECs.
*Note: The aggregate capacity limit was previously 0.25%, increased to 0.5% in January 2014, and further increased to 4% in 2019.
