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National Grid’s Pamela Hill explains net‑metering credits, municipal caps and allocation forms
Summary
Pamela Hill of National Grid walked municipal energy managers through how net‑metering and alternative on‑bill credits work, a 10 MW public net‑metering cap, Schedule Z/AOBC allocation forms updated up to six times per year, and short‑ and long‑term credit‑management options.
Pamela Hill, lead specialist in National Grid’s Customer Energy Integration department, explained how municipalities can use net‑metering and program tools to manage solar bill credits. “Cities and towns across the state of Massachusetts can utilize net metering credits to reduce energy expenses and support long term sustainability goals,” Hill said.
Hill described municipal participation pathways: municipalities can own arrays, serve as host customers for third‑party owned arrays, or act as offtakers through community solar. She said public entities face a 10‑megawatt net‑metering aggregation cap that is tracked on the MassACA site and noted that being an offtaker of community solar does not count toward that cap.
Hill explained allocation mechanics: credits are transferred via scheduled AOBC or Schedule Z allocation sheets, are transferred based on percentages (not dollar amounts) and the host customer is responsible for submitting allocation sheets. “Credits are transferred based on percentages, not dollar amounts,” she said, and added that Schedule Z has additional guardrails (public‑entity transfers restricted to other public entities in the same load zone).
She flagged common operational issues and short‑term remedies: municipalities can accumulate credits for reasons including changes in load profile or customers using alternative suppliers, and National Grid has used one‑time transfers approved by the Department of Public Utilities to rebalance accumulated credits. Hill also noted that National Grid is developing an automated submission system to streamline allocation submissions and visibility on account eligibility and status.
Her practical tips to managers: maintain accurate allocations across accounts (forms can be updated up to six times per year), validate invoices using platforms like My Business Account, and consider using accumulated net‑metering credits for on‑bill refinancing of eligible energy efficiency projects.
