August 2016 - BCSEA Monthly - Join the BCSEA Board of Directors
- Details
- Published on Thursday, 04 August 2016 18:30
- Written by editor
Fortis Net Metering Update: Profit's not the Priority
In June, we described Fortis electric’s application to the Utilities Commission for permission to change its net metering tariff, including slashing the rate Fortis pays customers for year-end credit balances.
The issues in the review of the application are emerging more clearly. Interveners have tested Fortis’s application through information requests – 271 to be exact – and Fortis’s responses have added 167 pages to the record of evidence.
First, slashing the payout rate from 15.2 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 4.52 cents per kWh will, surprisingly, have little or no effect on most net metering customers. In the present system,... most of the electricity that a net metering customer generates ends up being credited against the cost of the electricity they consume, so at the end of the year there is little or no remaining “net excess generation” to be subjected to the lowered rate.
This is the way Fortis wants the program to be run and how they say it was meant to be run all along:
“It is the overriding intent of the program that customers gain the ability to offset their own consumption with a clean and renewable resource. It is not the intent of the program to provide a means for larger scale Independent Power Producers (“IPP”) to bring their output to the market.”
Is the proposed 4.52 cents/kWh a fair rate for Fortis to pay? Read the full article here!
Join the BCSEA Board of Directors!
The Board of Directors is currently recruiting volunteers to join its diverse team of professionals in guiding the mission and vision of BCSEA.
If you have a background in human resources, finance, fundraising, leadership and/or experience in renewable energy, and can devote three hours per month over the next two years, we invite you to apply!
Applicants must be BCSEA members in good standing three months prior to the November 2016 Annual General Meeting.
For more information and to apply, click here.
From the Blog
A Field Guide to Community Solar in BC
It’s easy to understand why BC communities love solar energy: it’s a local solution to our energy needs, keeps valuable energy dollars in the community, and creates much needed employment when traditional areas of the economy are struggling.
In the last couple of years there have been different styles of community projects - most take advantage of the excellent Net Metering program RS 1289 offered by BC Hydro. The following is an attempt to categorize, in a broad way, several models that have been used to get those panels installed and producing for the public’s benefit.
Read the full article here!
Another Great Pub Night with BCSEA Vancouver!
The BCSEA Vancouver Chapter held it's Monthly Pub Night event on July 12th. This, the fifth edition, was another great success, drawing members and non-members alike to converse, network and have fun in the process.
Read more about BCSEA Vancouver's amazing pub night here.
In the News
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Two giants of sustainability have united; SolarCity and Tesla. This could change everything. Read Article
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Tesla have opened their incredible Gigafactory, from here Musk can execute part two of his Master Plan. Read Article
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Audi joins the ranks of vehicle manufacturers turning to EVs. Read Article
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Apple joins the growing number of tech companies selling and investing in renewable energy. Read Article
BCSEA Featured Member
Specializing in renewable energy project feasibility and project development - Expertise for renewable energy investment confidence
ACCESS Renewable Energy Ltd. is a specialized independent renewable energy consultancy. They help clients realize projects goals by providing them with objective, practical and proficient project development services - cost effectively.
They have particular expertise in the development of projects < 5 MW, including:
- Site assessments
- Feasibility studies
- Environmental & Regulatory approvals
- First Nation, Stakeholder & Community engagement
- Planning & Design
- Project Management
Renewable energy technologies they work with include solar, wind, biomass, hydro and hydro-kinetic.
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