Title
Proposed Revisions to the Feed-In-Tariff (NB)
Staff is recommending changes to the ordinance enacting the Solar Feed-In-Tariff (FIT) designed to clarify program administration and to re-introduce the option of net metering for commercial customers. More specifically, language is proposed to clarify the application and administration of the program's standards and criteria, especially as related to the waiting list of applications and tariff pricing for future years.
Explanation
On March 1, 2009, Gainesville Regional Utilities began offering the Solar Feed-in-Tariff with an annual capacity limit of 4 MW. Applications exceeding the capacity limit were obtained within a few weeks and administrative procedures were immediately created to establish: a) the minimum requirements for a complete application; b) a first come, first serve capacity queue; c) deadlines for project completion to avoid "squatters" in the queue, and; d) guidelines for managing the queue. The queue is now full through 2015 (28 MW). These actions were taken under the administerial authority granted to the General Manager by the City's charter and the Commission has been informed of the decisions being made on an on-going basis. Because the enacting ordinance only mentions the General Manager's ability to stop signing contracts for 2009 when the capacity limit is reached, it is prudent to be more explicit as to the actual program structure. To avoid disrupting the construction activity spurred by the FIT program, staff is recommending allowing providers who are in the FIT queue for 2010 to connect to the utility's system prior to January 1, 2010 and receive the System's avoided cost for energy delivery, which is the prevailing fuel adjustment plus $0.0065 per kWh, the value of fuel embedded in base rates. After January 1, 2010 these systems will receive the 2010 FIT price for energy delivered. This will allow the contractors to continue work throughout the year rather than only...
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