Outlook for Solar Net Metering in New England Lacking Legislative Clarity

Net metering policies, which allow solar owners to receive the full retail credit for any solar energy they produce, are undoubtedly what have helped spur the growth of solar power throughout the country. From an outsider’s point of view, the policy seems fair and square: ‘if I produce one kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar energy, I should be credited for one kWh on my bill,’ is how the argument goes. For utilities, however, that argument starts to break down as more and more solar goes on the grid. After all, if certain customers are purchasing less energy from the utility and getting credits for extra energy they produce then it falls on the rest of the ratepayers to pick up the slack.