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2011 SESSION

11103228D
HOUSE BILL NO. 1686
Offered January 12, 2011
Prefiled January 10, 2011
A BILL to authorize the State Corporation Commission to approve demonstration programs for distributed solar generation; special tariffs for alternatives to net energy metering.
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Patron-- Toscano
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Referred to Committee on Science and Technology
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  § 1. That in order to promote solar energy through distributed generation, the State Corporation Commission is authorized to approve demonstration programs for utility-owned distributed solar generation during the period July 1, 2011, through July 1, 2015, with an aggregate amount of rated generating capacity of up to 0.20 percent of each electric utility's adjusted Virginia peak load for the calendar year 2010. The Commission, on its own motion, may extend this period an additional year for good cause.

§ 2. As part of these demonstration programs, in addition to utility-owned solar generation, a utility may include special tariffs to facilitate customer-owned solar generation that are designed as alternatives to net energy metering. Subject to review by the Commission, such demonstration programs shall be prioritized in areas identified by the utility as areas where localized solar generation would provide benefits to the utility's distribution system, including constrained or high-growth areas.

§ 3. At least four of the distributed solar installation sites included in the demonstration projects shall be in a community setting, which shall include, but not be limited to, participation by local governments, schools, community associations, neighborhood associations, or nonprofit organizations. The capacity of each such community installation shall not exceed 500 kilowatts.

§ 4. The Commission may consider projects individually or as a package of two or more projects, provided the capacity of a package of projects does not exceed the aggregate capacity authorized by this act.

§ 5. The Commission shall provide annual reports on any demonstration programs approved pursuant to this act to the Governor and the chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Commerce and Labor.