City Council proposes expanded solar program to meet new state energy requirements

The Centralia City Council convened on March 26, 2025, to discuss significant updates to the city’s net metering program, particularly in response to recent changes in the Washington Energy Code. The meeting focused on the implications of these changes for large-scale solar energy installations within the city.

The session began with a presentation outlining the current structure of the city’s net metering program, which currently limits installations to 100 kilowatts. This restriction poses challenges for larger buildings, such as a recently inquired 600,000 square foot facility, which would require a solar system exceeding the current limits to comply with state mandates. The council acknowledged that the existing cap could hinder the city’s ability to accommodate future developments that must incorporate renewable energy solutions.

A key point of discussion was the need to revise the program to allow for larger solar installations, potentially increasing the limit to 2,000 kilowatts. This adjustment aims to align with the state’s energy requirements while ensuring that the city’s electrical distribution system can handle the increased capacity. The council emphasized the importance of monitoring the output from these systems to prevent any adverse effects on the grid, particularly for sensitive equipment in nearby businesses.

The council also addressed the financial aspects of the proposed changes, including a plan to reimburse solar energy producers at a rate of approximately four cents per kilowatt-hour for any excess energy generated beyond their consumption. This reimbursement would appear as an offset on their monthly power bills, although it was noted that the impact on the city’s utility services would likely be minimal.

As the meeting progressed, council members raised questions regarding the implications for existing buildings and the percentage of roof space required for solar installations. The discussion highlighted the potential for future expansion of solar capacity, contingent on the tiered system being developed to manage different sizes of installations.

In conclusion, the Centralia City Council's meeting underscored the necessity of updating the net metering program to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources in line with state regulations. The proposed changes aim to support large-scale solar projects while ensuring the reliability of the city’s electrical infrastructure. Further discussions and refinements to the program are expected as the council continues to navigate these developments.