Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance enacts a new section of the Columbus City Codes, Chapter 1163 to establish net metering service, which will enable Division of Power customers to connect distributed generation that uses advanced energy resources to the Division of Power’s distribution system. Section 1163.24, “Net Metering,” sets conditions of service for net metering customers and sets out how monthly energy charges will be determined.
In its Climate Action Plan, the City of Columbus set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050. One way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions is to allow electric power customers to generate their own clean energy from renewable sources such as solar photovoltaic panels. Increasing both residential and commercial on-site solar energy generation are identified as critical actions in the Climate Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality.
Net metering allows customers to connect to a utility distribution system and get credit for the electricity that they generate. It provides an accounting mechanism to measure the difference between the amount of electric energy that the utility sends to a customer and the amount of electric energy that the customer sends to the utility. The benefits of net metering include making solar energy more financially viable for customers, reducing the demand on the electric grid and power plants, and increasing energy security and resilience by acquiring and using energy from multiple sources.
All Division of Power customers will be eligible for net metering if they generate electric energy through advanced energy resources, such as solar or wind power. The customer’s energy charge from the Division of Power will be offset by the energy the customer supplies to the distribution grid. All other charges and fees will still apply. The net metering rate will be determined according to the applicable rate class as provided in Chapter 1163 of the Columbus City Codes.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct f...
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