Lawmakers, environmentalists, trade groups to present plan to dramatically increase solar power in M

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http://www.pressherald.com/2016/02/25/lawmakers-environmentalists-trade-groups-to-present-plan-to-dramatically-increase-solar-power-in-maine/

AUGUSTA –– A plan to increase solar energy projects in Maine by more than twelvefold over the next five years will be introduced at the State House Thursday.

The proposal, backed by local environmental groups, solar installation companies and lawmakers, is an attempt to resolve the longstanding conflict between homes and small businesses that generate power when the sun shines but are reliant on the utility companies when it doesn’t. In doing so, the proposal seeks to do away with a practice called net metering – except for existing customers – and replace it with hourly metering and a 20-year price guarantee on the rate businesses and homeowners are compensated for producing electricity.

The elimination of net metering, wherein utility companies provide a one-to-one credit to customers on their utility bills for the power they generate and send back to the grid, is one of the most significant elements of the proposal. Net metering for solar projects is a national issue, generating debate in Congress and other states. Utility companies have sought to get rid of the practice because it affects their bottom line. Advocates for solar power have fought to protect net metering because it has helped spur the development of solar projects while ensuring that the businesses and residents producing electricity are fairly compensated.

Tim Schneider, Maine’s public advocate, said hourly metering is possible because of the smart meters used by Central Maine Power.

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