The Iowa Utilities Board has issued an order encouraging electric utilities to develop DG pilot programs. The IUB’s order does not provide much specific guidance. It generally encourages utilities to develop programs that experiment with larger DG systems (i.e., above 500 kW), community renewables systems, and/or different mechanisms for crediting DG customers for excess generation under net metering. The order encourages all electric utilities to develop DG pilots, but investor-owned utilities are especially encouraged to do so.

Interestingly, the IUB decided not to address rate design, the value of solar or alleged cost-shifting issues at this time, stating that there is not enough DG capacity in Iowa to determine rate impacts.

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