Avista Utilities - Net Metering

Idaho does not have a statewide net-metering policy. However, each of the state's three investor-owned utilities -- Avista Utilities, Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power -- has developed a net-metering tariff that has been approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The framework of the utilities' net-metering programs is similar, in that each utility's original program: (1) offers net metering to customers that generate electricity using solar, wind, hydropower, biomass or fuel cells; (2) limits individual system size to 100 kilowatts (kW); (3) limits aggregate net-metered capacity to 0.1% of the utility's peak demand in a baseline year (1996 for Avista); and (4) restricts any single customer from generating more than 20% of the aggregate capacity of all net-metered systems.* Avista Utilities' net-metering tariff is Schedule 63. Previously, Avista had an individual system size cap of 25 kW. In July 2010, the PUC approved an increase in this cap to allow systems up to 100 kW to participate in net metering.

For Avista Utilities customers, any net excess generation (NEG) during a monthly billing period is credited to the customer's next bill at the utility's retail rate. At the beginning of each calendar year, any remaining NEG is granted to the utility with no compensation for the customer. 

*Note: In 2013, Idaho Power made a request to the PUC to modify its net metering program, resulting in changes to the capacity cap and net excess generation.