Press Release

PUC Finalizes Policy Statement to Provide Foundation for Achieving Solar Energy Goals

Published on 9/16/2010

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized a policy statement designed to provide a foundation from which the state can achieve its solar renewable energy mandates at the least cost to Pennsylvania consumers.

The Commission voted 5-0 to provide longer term revenue stability needed to support both small-scale and large-scale solar development and to address other barriers that could prevent development of new solar projects. More than 20 parties provided comments on the draft policy statement issued Dec. 10, 2009.

The policy statement:

• Defines large- and small-scale solar projects;
• Recommends using competitive requests for proposals to establish solar renewable energy credit (SREC) values recoverable as a reasonable expense;
• Standardizes contracts for the purchase of SRECs by electric distribution companies (EDCs);
• Establishes a stakeholder working group of electric distribution companies, electric generation suppliers, Commission staff, public advocates, solar aggregators and other interested parties to ensure SREC contracts reflect the most recent developments in Pennsylvania law and energy policy; and
• Encourages education of potential sellers of SRECs about the opportunity to sell these solar attributes to the electric utilities in support of regional development of solar resources.

The state Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 (AEPS) requires electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers to include a specific percentage of electricity from alternative resources, including solar, in the generation they sell to Pennsylvania customers

 The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket no. M-2009-2140263

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