The 50 States of Solar: Consideration of Net Metering Reforms and Community Solar Programs Spreads to New States in Q1 2024
Raleigh, NC – (April 17, 2024) The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) released its Q1 2024 edition of The 50 States of Solar. The quarterly series provides insights on state regulatory and legislative discussions and actions on distributed solar policy, with a focus on net metering, distributed solar valuation, community solar, residential fixed charges, residential demand and solar charges, third-party ownership, and utility-led rooftop solar programs.
The report finds that 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, took some type of distributed solar policy action during Q1 2024 (see figure below), with the greatest number of actions continuing to address net metering policies (56), and residential fixed charge or minimum bill increases (42), and community solar policies (37). A total of 163 distributed solar policy actions were taken during Q1 2024, with the most actions taken in California, Arizona, Maine, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Virginia.
Q1 2024 Policy Action on Net Metering, Rate Design, and Solar Ownership
The report identifies three trends in solar policy activity taken in Q1 2024: (1) states considering legislation to enable community solar, (2) net metering reform efforts moving to new states, and (3) states clarifying net metering rules for customers on time-of-use rates.
“The evolution of community solar programs continues this quarter,” noted Vincent Potter, Senior Policy Analyst at NCCETC. “Maryland’s permanent program regulations are being fleshed out for implementation after statutory changes last year, and other states are updating their programs to meet customer demand.”
The report notes the top five distributed solar policy actions of Q1 2024:
- Massachusetts regulators allowing net metering credit transfer across utilities;
- Delaware lawmakers initiating a net metering cost-benefit study;
- Virginia legislators expanding shared solar programs;
- The West Virginia Public Service Commission approving net metering reforms; and
- The Arizona Corporation Commission authorizing a new grid access charge.
“While some of the larger solar markets have revised their net metering rules in recent years, we continue seeing states with smaller markets consider similar reforms,” said Brian Lips, Senior Policy Project Manager at NCCETC.
View the 50 States of Solar Q1 2024 Quarterly Report Executive Summary
View and Purchase the 50 States of Solar Q1 2024 Quarterly Report
View other 50 States Reports – Solar, Grid Modernization, Electric Vehicles and Decarbonization
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The NC Clean Energy Technology Center, as part of the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University, advances a sustainable energy economy by educating, demonstrating and providing support for clean energy technologies, practices and policies. It serves as a resource for innovative, sustainable energy technologies through technology demonstration, technical assistance, outreach and training. For more information about the Center, visit: http://www.nccleantech.
Media Contact: Shannon Helm, shannon_helm@ncsu.edu