New York PSC Opens Review Of Utility Consolidated Billing For Community Solar, Distributed Energy Resources

The New York PSC had opened Case 19-M-0463, In the Matter of Consolidated Billing for Distributed Energy Resources, to address consolidated billing for Community Distributed Generation (CDG) and other distributed energy resources (DERs).

The PSC sought comments on the institution of consolidated billing for CDG as well as specific comments on the following questions:

1. Should consolidated billing use the "purchase of receivables" model? Should the purchase of receivables be with or without recourse?

2. Should consolidated billing require that the subscription charge for each member be set at a percentage of value of the credit received by the CDG member (e.g., a subscription charge equal to 90% of value of the credits, varying each billing period based on the credit value) or should other billing models also be enabled?

3. Should a limit be set on the amount of charges, such as a requirement that the subscription charge be less than the bill credit value?

4. Should consolidated billing be limited to specific service classes or available to all customers?

5. Should any special provisions apply to consolidated billing of low-income customers?

6. Should utilities recover the costs associated with consolidated billing through retaining a percentage of the billed amount or through another method such as a per customer fee? At what level or how should the amount of the percentage or other fee be set?

7. How should the information necessary for consolidated billing be communicated between the CDG Sponsor and the utility?

8. Are additional consumer protection rules necessary for the institution of consolidated billing, beyond those currently in the Uniform Business Practices for Distributed Energy Resource Suppliers (UBP-DERS)?

9. Beyond CDG, what other DER products and services should consolidated billing be considered for?