Utility's solar capacity to grow (NY)

[jpak]

http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=604031&category=BUSINESS&BCCode=HOME&newsdate=7/7/2007

ALBANY -- State regulators are forcing Central Hudson Gas & Electric to expand its residential solar electric program because of increasing demand in the utility's service territory for the systems.

Poughkeepsie-based Central Hudson serves 37,000 customers in Albany, Columbia and Greene counties.

Through a process called net metering, in which customers connect their solar panels and meter to the electrical grid, residential customers can generate electricity to meet their own needs at home. Any extra power they make is sold to their utility.

The state Public Service Commission requires that New York utilities allow customers to establish net metering solar systems, but has issued ceilings for each utility on the amount of solar generation it has to accept.

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[aquart]

1. Why ceilings?

Isn't that, I dunno, counter-productive?

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Zero-Point-Four percent

0.4% = 3 MW.

The yuppies with the solar roofs stand to make, what, a dime a day?

That's what they're squabbling over. The utilities want to keep it at 0.15% (1.2 MW).

--p!