About Solar

Net metering and interconnection standards provide the foundation for the on-site generation of electricity in homes or businesses. Electricity generated at or near its point of use is referred to as distributed generation (DG). DG can complement base-load generation, which refers to the traditional generation of electricity by large-scale utility power plants. The viability of DG systems is dependent upon access to the electric grid (interconnection rules) and fair utility billing terms (net metering).

Net metering allows for the electric grid to act as virtual storage by requiring that utilities bill customers only for the net electricity used during each billing period. For example, if a customer has a PV system on their home, they may generate more electricity than they use during daylight hours. In that case, if their home is net metered their electricity meter will run backwards. At night – when they are using electricity – their meter runs forward as normal. Interconnection standards are the technical and legal procedures for a customer with a DG system to physically connect to the grid.

What is Simple Interconnection?

Simple interconnection ensures that a utility customer can connect a solar electric system to the grid in a safe, fast, and cost-effective way.

All Missouri utilities must allow interconnection.
All Missouri utilities must provide a simple form for a client to apply for interconnection.
Utilities must respond to requests for interconnection quikly (within 30 days for systems 10kW and within 90 days for systems between 10kW and 100kW).

Additional information regarding Net Metering & Simple Interconnection

Normally systems are installed by qualified renewable energy technicians. For a List of MOSEIA solar installers click here. Systems must be approved by the utility before interconnecting (this does not apply if system is battery based and totally off-grid).
Full retail credit is granted only up to usage during a month; any generation contributed to the grid above monthly usage is credited at a utility’s wholesalerate (generally 20% or so of retail).
Utilities never “pay customers” for their electricity. The utility simply issue a credit on their monthly statement.

For clarifications regarding net metering consult your local utility directly.

Proposition C
In 2008, Missourians passed Proposition C, with 66% of the vote making Missouri the 27th state to have a renewable electricity/portfolio standard (RES/RPS), and only the 3rd to pass it by ballot initiative. Renew Missouri spearheaded the Missouri Clean Energy initiative via the statewide ballot process. The initiative, which was called Prop C requires investor-owned utilities to get 15% of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2021, 2% of which must come from solar.

Prop C includes a solar rebate which makes solar more affordable for Missourians.

Over the next 20 years, Prop C is predicted to save Missourians $331 million on their electric bills and is expected to stimulate in-state generation of renewable energy sources resulting in thousands of new “green-collar” jobs.

Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
There are 29 states, Washington DC and 2 territories with RPS. Currently New Jersey is collaborating with stakeholders to pass 2014 RPS legislation with a mandate of 80% by 2050 with solar representing half of the energy portfolio.

Easy Connection Act
Requires all utilities in Missouri to offer true Net Metering & Simple Interconnection to any Missouri customer interconnecting solar, wind, or small hydroelectric system to their home or business. Prior to the Easy Connection Act, connecting solar to the grid was time-consuming and complicated. The Easy Connection Act addressed these critical issues and was passed in the Missouri legislature in 2007. It went into effect in October 2008.

What is Net Metering?
Net metering and interconnection standards provide the foundation for the on-site generation of electricity in homes or businesses. Electricity generated at or near its point of use is referred to as distributed generation (DG). DG can complement base-load generation, which refers to the traditional generation of electricity by large-scale utility power plants. The viability of DG systems is dependent upon access to the electric grid (interconnection rules) and fair utility billing terms (net metering).

What is Simple Interconnection?

All Missouri utilities must allow interconnection
All Missouri utilities must provide a simple form for interconnection
Utilities must respond to requests for interconnection
- Within 30 days for systems 10kW and under
- Within 90 days for systems between 10kW and 100kW

Additional information regarding Net Metering & Simple Interconnection

Normally systems are installed by qualified renewable energy technicians. For a List of MOSEIA solar installers click here. Systems must be approved by utility before interconnecting (this does not apply if system is battery based and totally off-grid).
Full retail credit is granted only up to usage during a month; any generation contributed to the grid above monthly usage is credited at a utility’s wholesale rate (generally 20% or so of retail).
Utilities never “pay customers” for their electricity. The utility simply issue a credit on their monthly statement.

For clarifications regarding net metering consult your local utility directly.

Are Utility Rebates available?
Customers of Ameren/UE and Kansas City Power & Light (GMO & Legacy) may be eligible to receive a rebate check for installing solar. MOSEIA continues to actively engage in the rule making for HB142 passed last session which sunsets the rebate over the next 6 years starting in 2014. Recently two stipulation agreements were approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission limiting the amount of rebate funds available for each investor owned utility. MOSEIA is actively engaged in monitoring the terms of implementing these agreements. For more specific information regarding funds available please contact Ameren/UE and Kansas City Power & Light (GMO & Legacy) as the status of funds available are subject to change.

What are future projections for solar in Missouri?
The RPS standard also contains a solar electricity carve-out of two percent of each interim portfolio requirement. Missouri is one of only 16 states that have RPS policies with a provision for solar electricity. In 2009, retail sales in Missouri totaled approximately 80,000 GWh. The total for PSC regulated utilities is ~55TWh. Click here to reference the Public Service Commission’s reports. With a modest estimate for growth between 2009 and 2021, the annual solar energy requirement in 2021 will reach just under 300 GWh, or approximately 200 MW of solar capacity.

What is Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)?
PACE legislation passed in Missouri in 2010. PACE allows commercial and residential property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy retrofits, paying their loans over 20 years via an annual assessment on their property tax bill. Many Missouri based Clean Energy Boards (CEB) are in the development phase to implement PACE for specific geographic regions. The only CEB in Missouri to date is the Mid-America Clean Energy Development Board.

For more information visit these sources:

Mid-America Clean Energy Development Board – http://www.mocefllc.com/

PACENOW – http://pacenow.org

Solar Energy Facts: Correcting Old Myths

MYTH #1:
There are no jobs created by the solar industry.

FACT:
Today, the solar industry employs more than 100,000 Americans, double the amount of solar workers in 2009. They work at more than 5,000 companies, the vast majority being small businesses, in all 50 states. The industry grew by 69 percent in the past year, making it one of the fastest growing sectors in the U.S. economy.

What other exciting solar activities are in the future?

MOSEIA supports the application of Mid America Regional Council and St. Louis County for the DOE Solar Rooftop Grants.

MOSEIA was involved in the proposal submission and supports the Solar Decathlon coming to the jewel of St. Louis – Forest Park in October 2013.

Some content on this website was made possible by the Solar Energy Industries Association and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.