Thread by @alissajean

Starting shortly, @floridapsc workshop on Florida's current rooftop solar policy, as prompted by utility front-group "Energy Fairness" The PSC is not allowing public comment. I'll be tweeting in this thread. Here is the agenda psc.state.fl.us/Files/PDF/Util…

While we wait, some light reading to catch up on how and why we are here today: energyandpolicy.org/energy-fairnes…

Over 6k comments have been filed in support of customer-owned rooftop solar. Even in the midst of a pandemic, people are making time to speak up. Mike Morina, executive director of the Florida Home Partnership, wrote a whole column on the topic here: tampabay.com/opinion/2020/0…

Chair Clark states they are only on a fact-find mission, not going to be changing any policy today. At the end of today, if the commission feels there is a need for a change then they will start that process. In other words, today determines if NEM is on the chopping block.

Commissioner Brown mentions the incredibly high volume of emails in support of rooftop solar. Says they ARE reading them, and that public participation is key. No explanation of why they have not allowed public comment in this workshop.

Commissioner Polmann says that he has even gotten personal phone calls leading up to this workshop from folks concerned about the future of solar in Florida.

Matt Vogel with PSC staff presenting background on the current net metering policy. His presentation is online here: psc.state.fl.us/UtilityRegulat…

Vogel states FL's current policy is relatively common across the country:

Vogel - Average household uses more electricity today than when this rule was first implemented. Commissioner Graham asked for clarification that any "tweak" requires opening rulemaking docket - Answer from staff is yes.

Chair Clark asks what "risk" the insurance requirement is covering in current policy.

Expert analysis cited by Vogel in response to Clark's questions on the liability of solar - Anything below a 250k poses NO RISK to the grid.

Commissioner Brown explaining if you look at the data, the current use of rooftop solar is "quite modest" and thinks it's important for utilities to promote "this type of initiative"

We are now hearing from Anastacia Pirrello, from Office of Public Counsel. States utility-scale solar alone is not sufficient to meet the current demand.

Pirrello, Office of Public Counsel: "Rooftop solar is a net benefit to ratepayers"

Pirrello states that OPC does not believe the current policy needs to be changed at this time.

Terry Deason now presenting on behalf of Florida Power and Light Company (FPL), Gulf Power Company,
and Tampa Electric Company (TECO)

Deason states that he is happy to provide his presentation after the fact. [NOTE - other stakeholders were asked to provide their presentations, and did so, last week]

Deason states that the cost of solar has come down significantly, and this is wonderful, however, it is causing a "cost shift." There are about 60k net metering customers in FL right now, which is currently home to over 20 million people.

Commissioner Brown interrupts Deason and reminds him that this is such "a modest number" and that rooftop solar does benefit everybody. Asks how utilities are promoting this policy.

Deason agrees that the numbers are small. Is worried about the rate of growth. Mentions cost-shift again, but has not yet presented any data to illustrate cost-shift.

Deason - Utilites are not advocating a change in the rule, but they feel the need to point out the issue.

Clark asking for dollar amount. Deason - Net metering is about equal to a "cross-subsidy" of 39 million, stating the net metering customers are receiving an average "subsidy" of $75-80 a month. Note...

[Reminder, this "subsidy" is credit for the electricity customers generate from their own systems, which they personally invested in, at no cost to their neighbors. Customers are still paying fixed fees on their bill. To say otherwise is blatantly false. Check out your bill.]

Chair Clark asks for forecasts of subsidy numbers. Commissioner Brown states she would love to see how these numbers are arrived at. Deason does not have that information available at this time.

Polmann states it's not an issue for the utilities because of rate cases - "they will be made whole" - This is actually a very profound statement that underscores the incredible freedom utilities have in FL to do WHATEVER they want, and still earn their guaranteed profit.

Now hearing from Bill Ashburn on behalf of Florida Power and Light Company, Gulf Power Company,
Tampa Electric Company, and Duke Energy Florida, LLC. States he will focus on the interconnection part of the rule.

Ashburn is concerned about "islanding" and "insurance requirements."

Brown asking for more information about the need for upgrading transformers if that need it being pushed by solar, reminding Ashburn that, again, the number of solar installations is very modest across the state. Asks for data to support. Ashburn does not have at this time.

Ashburn talking about the heavy burden on utilities to manage the current demand for people who want to go solar. [hey it's almost like rooftop solar is popular for a reason and utilities need to respond to their customers!]

[But again, currently only about 60k solar customers of the over 20 million folks in Florida.]

Ashburn - Solar has zero fuel costs so it is potentially shifting the cost of generation to later in the day for utilities. Clark asking for info on when "peaks" are, Ashburn explains that it varies across the state and how cold winter is, noting hasn't been cold in a while.

Clark states that utilities need to have the capacity to meet peak regardless of any renewables. Ashburn clarifies that utilities also purchase power, they don't necessarily need to generate it themselves. Batteries + Solar is currently part of that solution, contradicting Clark.

Now hearing from Lon Huber on behalf of Duke Energy Florida, LLC

Huber mentions settlement just reached in South Carolina utilitydive.com/news/duke-sola… @lonhuber

Huber explaining that Duke has streamlined the process for customers to go solar, states that Duke is leading the way.

Clark asking Huber about the demographics of their solar customers. Answer is that the vast majority is tier one (smallest) residential systems. Clark says he was hoping for different info.

SIDENOTE - Commissioner Graham is currently absent, and Polmann is on the phone in the middle of this workshop while Huber is presenting.

Now hearing from Katie Chiles Ottenweller on behalf of Vote Solar. Clark has stepped out, asking Brown to take over. Polmann is still on the phone.

.@KOttenweller mentioning the jobs that solar has created here in FL. @votesolar presentation is available here - psc.state.fl.us/Files/PDF/Util…

.@KOttenweller reminding PSC that net metering was first introduced as a way to reduce our state's very heavy reliance on natural gas. [FYI - Energy source by fuel type in 2020 ten year site plan shows Gulf & FPL at 75% Natural Gas] @votesolar

.@KOttenweller clarifying that the data mentioned by previous presentations in regards to "subsidies" and "cost shift" has not been made publicly available and that solar customers are by and large paying more than their fair share.

Chair Clark wants to see more data about how solar can help low-income customers in Florida.

Now hearing from @sas_cleanenergy with @BryanJacob6 of @cleanenergyorg. Reminds commission of FL voters repeated and strong support of positive solar policy. Presentation can be viewed here: psc.state.fl.us/Files/PDF/Util…

.@BryanJacob6 thanks PSC for their recent support of net metering in their comments to FERC re: NERA Petition

.@BryanJacob6 fact-checking utility front group Energy Fairness, calling their claims "statistical exaggeration."

Now hearing from Justin Hoysradt @jhoysradt on behalf of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, discussing net metering as a cornerstone of industry for Florida. "Sunshine State is not just a license plate slogan"

Graham asks how to become a licensed solar contractor. @jhoysradt explains the steps for licensing, similar to other Florida industries. Requirement currently in place for licensed professional to be involved in the interconnection process.

Lastly, hearing from Tyson Grinstead @tysonagrinstead on behalf of Sunrun @Sunrun. Discussing how the company is glad to work together with utilities to create win-win solutions. Showing 37% drop in solar capacity being installed this year.

.@tysonagrinstead stating that there needs to be consideration of overall economic impact connected to solar industry. Mentions stakeholder analysis done in South Carolina. Factored into Duke settlement in SC- news.duke-energy.com/releases/duke-…

.@tysonagrinstead explaining how smart thermostat, solar + storage is being used in SC to address "peak load" issue, in response to question from Clark.

Closing comments. Graham - At some point NEM will need to be addressed. Concerned about changing the policy for people who have already made investment to go solar, thinks they should be grandfathered in. Has no opinion about when policy be changed.

Graham - Doesn't want to send a "panic through the industry" by opening up a rulemaking docket, but wants to see if there can be a narrow opening for tweaks to items such as the insurance requirement.

Polmann - Doesn't think there is a way to limit rulemaking to specific parts of the rule, in response to Graham's point. Need all information before decision is made, thinks today was a good start. Wants staff to open an "informal process" for gathering information.

Fay - Came into this process not necessarily thinking there is any problem and any need for changes. Wants to further review SC settlement.

Brown - "Data drives this whole discussion" Urges utilities to provide further information before anything else can be considered.

PSC Staff asks that additional information and answers to questions asked, including any public comment, be provided by Oct. 8 to the "undocketed docket" and materials will be made available on PSC website.

And we are done. Chair Clark adjourns meeting with no clear indication of next steps. Thanks for following this massive thread, folks! /end