Senator Jim Wright

November 2, 2007

SENATOR WRIGHT INTRODUCES SOLAR NET-METERING BILL

Senator Jim Wright, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, recently introduced legislation that expands net metering of solar energy to all classes of utility customers, including commercial, industrial, municipal and non-profit. Current law only allows for residential net metering for solar and wind power and agricultural net metering for wind and farm waste.

“As energy costs continue to increase, installation of on site generation technology has become more common and desirable,” said Senator Wright. “This measure expands the renewable power generation opportunities beyond residential and agricultural and provides potential for businesses to lower their energy costs while contributing to protecting the environment at the same time. This measure also benefits taxpayers, as municipalities, schools, libraries and other publicly funded agencies would now be eligible to save on their energy bills by net metering.”

The bill has received support from numerous solar and renewable energy advocacy associations, including the New York Solar Energy Industries Association, who stated,

“…The New York Solar Energy Industries Association thanks you very much for your leadership and initiative in advancing Senate Bill 6507 in upcoming legislative discussions. We greatly appreciate your role as sponsor of the expanded net metering bill and are very grateful for your willingness to champion the bill in the New York State Senate.”

Net metering measures the difference between the energy generated by a customer who has its own on-site energy system and the energy supplied by a utility to that customer. The energy produced on-site is used by the customer; therefore lowering the amount of energy that must be purchased from the utility. Any excess energy produced by the customer would be sold back to the utility for a credit on future bills.

Non-residential solar energy generators will be able to net meter up to their historic peak demand or 2 mw, whichever is less. Residential customers can net meter up to 25 kw.

“Net metering encourages on-site generation of renewable energy technologies, which can then be used to meet the state’s increasing demand for electricity while reducing the stress on our state’s overburdened transmission system,” said Senator Wright. “Renewable and clean energy sources also help reduce our dependence on coal and oil, which ultimately improves air and water quality for all New Yorkers.”

Senator Wright also added that jobs would also be created by the manufacturing and installation of solar materials.

Senator Wright has previously supported and sponsored net metering laws that allow residential customers to net meter wind and solar power. In addition, Senator Wright sponsored a law that allows farmers to net meter wind energy and energy produced from farm waste.

Return to HOME