A proposal to establish a reservation system for California’s current net metering tariff has been accepted by the California Public Utilities Commission. The CPUC Staff proposal includes the following provisions:

• The reservation system should begin accepting applications when a utility is projected to meet its net metering cap within six months and based on historical application rates.
• Reservations would take place within the existing interconnection application system, and capacity would be reserved with the submission of a completed net metering application package and a signed installation contract.
• A six-month completion deadline for residential projects (not to exceed the July 1, 2017, statutory deadline) with no extensions, with no deadline for non-residential projects.
• Projects in excess of the cap may be placed on a waiting list, but they may give up their spot to take service under the successor net metering tariff.

The CPUC has invited comments on the proposal.

In addition, the process for consideration of the CPUC’s proposed decision on a net metering successor tariff continues to move forward. Reply comments on the proposed decision are due January 15.

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