Idaho Power is conducting a study on their metering rates for consumer solar power. Previous guest, Mike Engle, Chair of the Portneuf Resource Council, explained the changes being investigated.
Net metering is the compensation for excess power that residential solar systems produce. Currently Idaho Power offers a one to one rate, where customers size their system to their needs, produce excess power during the summer then apply credit from that excess during the winter. Idaho Power is considering changing the one to one rate to something closer to their wholesale rate, which is one kilowatt hour back for every two kilowatt hours produced.
The Portneuf Resource Council, along with other organizations, are campaigning to keep the one to one rate, ensuring residential solar remains economical. With the current one to one net metering rate, residential solar systems are paid back within ten years, and will last anywhere from twenty five to fifty years.
Also in this episode, we introduce new co-host Avery Frazier. Avery is a third year psychology student at ISU, specializing in clinical psychology. She is interested in preserving Idaho’s natural resources and clean energy. Avery is an active member of the ISU Sustainability Club and will be updating us on their activities throughout the year.
