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Retail Supplier Affiliate Seeks Exception from Net Metering Rule

June 10, 2015

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Copyright 2010-15 EnergyChoiceMatters.com
Reporting by Paul Ring • ring@energychoicematters.com

Direct Energy Solar petitioned the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for a limited exception from the state's Net Metering Regulations at 220 C.M.R. § 18.00, et seq.

Specifically, Direct Energy seeks a limited exception for the proposed Harvest Valley Condominium Development solar energy project from the Department's determination of a net metering facility as, "the energy generating equipment associated with a single parcel of land, interconnected with the electric distribution system at a single point, behind a single meter."

The Harvest Valley Condominium Development is an over-55 residential community consisting of 64 units located in Easthampton, Massachusetts.

Each unit in the development is individually owned, has a unique parcel number, and is assessed separately for tax purposes. Each unit has a separate electric meter and electric account with the utility company, Eversource

At least seven unit owners have agreed that, assuming that it is legally permissible to do so, Direct Energy will install individual rooftop grid-tied photovoltaic systems for their respective condominium units

"Individual solar units are required because a single metered facility is not feasible at the Condominium. There is no space to build such a facility, and even if such space were available, the cost of constructing a single metered facility would be significantly higher than the proposed individual rooftop grid-tied photovoltaic systems, which simply use available roof space on individual units," Direct Energy solar said

Direct Energy is seeking an exception from the regulation which requires that a net metering facility shall be situated on a single parcel of land – in order to allow individual unit owners at the Condominium to have net metering facilities for each of their respective condominium units. "For clarity, Direct Energy is requesting an exception allowing it to provide net metered solar photovoltaic systems to any of the residents at the Condominium who choose to contract with Direct for such facilities, including the seven residents who have already agreed to such an installation," Direct Energy solar said

Direct Energy solar said that its request is consistent with statutory intent.

"Granting an exception for the Project would in no way undermine the GCA's objectives or the two MW limit for private entity net metering facilities, or otherwise allow for gaming of the system. As single-family homeowners are allowed one net metering facility per individually-owned home, Condominium unit owners are seeking the same benefit – one net metering facility per individually-owned unit," Direct Energy solar said

Direct Energy has contracted for approximately 18 megawatts (MWs) of solar photovoltaics for 2,093 solar systems in Massachusetts

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