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Council approves first reading of ordinance to expand large‑rooftop solar net‑metering rules
Summary
On first reading the council approved an ordinance to expand Centralia City Light's net‑metering rules so larger rooftop solar arrays (above the city's prior 100 kW cap) can meet state energy‑code requirements for large buildings; staff said the city will monitor interconnection and limit projects by distribution‑circuit capability.
The council approved on first reading an ordinance that amends Centralia’s net‑metering rules to allow larger rooftop solar systems to interconnect with City Light and to provide reimbursement for exported energy under a new tiered approach.
City Light staff explained the change was prompted by updates to the state energy code that require newly constructed large buildings (the code example cited a 10,000 square‑foot threshold and a developer inquiry for a 600,000‑square‑foot building) to include renewable energy. Centralia’s existing net‑metering cap (100 kilowatts) could prevent compliance for very large roofs, staff said, so the draft ordinance removes the strict 100‑kW cap and establishes a framework to allow larger systems subject to distribution‑system limits and interconnection review.
The presentation noted technical limits and power‑quality considerations tied to inverters and the distribution circuit. City staff said they anticipate reimbursing exported energy at roughly the city’s avoided‑cost rate (staff cited about 4¢ per kilowatt‑hour as a working example), while retaining technical reviews and circuit limits to prevent adverse effects on nearby customers with sensitive equipment. Staff said the city will define tiers and interconnection screens and retain the ability to require filtering or other mitigation for larger installations.
Councilors asked about roof‑coverage examples and whether existing buildings are grandfathered; staff confirmed the state code requirement applies to new construction (existing buildings generally are not required to retrofit). City staff said they will return with administrative rules and implementation details before final adoption. The ordinance passed first reading; a second reading and final adoption were scheduled for a subsequent council meeting.
Technical note included in staff remarks: city staff cautioned that very large inverter installations can introduce waveform distortion if not properly filtered; staff said they will require engineering review and mitigation where circuits are sensitive.
Vote: council approved first reading of Ordinance 2563 on a voice vote recorded as 7‑0.
