New Hampshire bill expands net metering benefits for low-income residents and educational institutions

In a recent session of the New Hampshire Legislature, lawmakers engaged in a heated debate over a proposed bill aimed at expanding net metering, a system that allows solar energy users to receive credits for excess energy they produce. The bill, which has four major components, seeks to enhance access to solar energy for low and moderate-income residents and educational institutions, while also addressing concerns about potential cost shifts to non-solar users.

The first key provision of the bill allows customer generators—individuals who produce their own solar energy—to join net metering groups, enabling them to benefit from shared solar resources. Additionally, it permits these customers to participate in multiple net metering groups, with safeguards to prevent double dipping. More significantly, the bill proposes to increase the energy cap for community solar projects serving low and moderate-income residents from 6 megawatts to 18 megawatts annually. This change is expected to lower energy costs for these vulnerable populations.

Another important aspect of the bill is the inclusion of municipal hosts, non-profit educational institutions, and public housing authorities in the net metering framework, allowing them to net meter up to 5 megawatts. Proponents argue that this could significantly reduce costs for the University System of New Hampshire, particularly in light of recent budget cuts.

However, opposition to the bill centers on concerns about rising electricity costs. Critics argue that expanding net metering could lead to increased costs for all ratepayers, citing a report from Maine that linked a similar expansion to a 55% rise in electricity prices over the past decade. They contend that the financial burden of net metering is already evident in New Hampshire, where the utility Eversource reported a $29 million cost associated with net metering, up from $22 million just two years prior.

Supporters of the bill counter that the benefits of net metering, including increased solar energy production and local economic retention, outweigh the potential costs. They emphasize that the current system undervalues the contributions of net metering participants, particularly as transmission costs rise.

As the debate continues, the outcome of this bill could have significant implications for New Hampshire's energy landscape, particularly for low-income residents and educational institutions seeking affordable energy solutions. The legislature is expected to vote on the bill soon, with advocates urging support to promote renewable energy access and sustainability in the state.