Maryland Opens Investigation Into Distributed Energy Resource Policy, Barriers

The Maryland PSC opened Public Conference 40 (PC 40) to investigate the technical and financial barriers to the deployment of small distributed energy resources in the state, and scheduled an initial technical conference for October 20, 2015.

While the proceeding is prompted by recent community solar pilot program legislation, the Commission in opening the more generic docket, "signals its near-term intention to explore the rate-related issues affecting the broader category of small distributed energy resources."

Of most interest to retail suppliers is that the investigation will include a review of compensation levels and associated rules (roll-overs, etc.) for excess distributed generation produced by customers.

The initial technical conference will include panels on the following:

1) Appropriate Valuation Factors for Small Distributed Energy Resources (excess generation)

2) The Cost of Interconnection for Small Distributed Energy Resources

3) Alternative Utility Cost Recovery Mechanisms

A 2014 PSC survey indicated that the total capacity of net-metered facilities operating across the State has increased from approximately 364 kW in 2007, to 143,706 kW through the end of June 2014.