Senate committee hears bill to raise PURPA solar cap to 10 MW

Representative Ken Helm, D-House District 27, and community renewable energy advocates told the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment on April 23 that House Bill 3,863 would restore parity between solar and other small renewable resources by requiring the Oregon Public Utility Commission to set a standard-contract eligibility cap of no less than 10 megawatts for qualifying facilities under the federal Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).

Supporters said the bill would help small landowners and local developers get projects “to pencil” by giving them access to standardized avoided-cost rates and a PUC-approved standard contract. "This bill in front of you right now simply seeks to provide for slightly larger solar projects that may be pursued by individuals, or smaller companies, to have access to the standard contracts with our investor owned utilities," Representative Ken Helm said.

Why it matters: Qualifying for PURPA standard contracts and avoided-cost rates can make small projects financeable because developers can secure a set price and avoid lengthy, project-by-project negotiations with large utilities. Proponents argued the current 3-megawatt cap for…