Connecticut’s two largest electric utilities have filed plans with state utility regulators for a program in which homes or businesses that use solar power or fuel cells would be eligible for quarterly energy credit payments.
The joint filing made by the United Illuminating Co. and Connecticut Light & Power for a zero- and low-emission renewable energy credit payment program is expected to be rolled out next summer if approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
“We believe that we have designed a program that will allow UI customers to economically invest in on site renewable energy generation,” said Alan Trotta, manager of wholesale power contracts for the New Haven-based utility.
Under the program, participating residential and business customers would receive quarterly energy credit payments from the utilities for 15 years. Although the two utilities have jointly filed the plan with regulatory agency, each company will select program participants from their respective service areas.
“Once PURA approves the plan, we will issue a request for proposals,” said Christie Bradway, CL&P’s manager for renewable power.
Among the key requirements that residential or business customers must meet to qualify for the program are:
Solar or fuel cell systems must have begun operating after July 1. The solar or fuel cell systems must be integrated with the utilities’ metering devices.
The credit payments are capped at 1,000 kilowatts for zero-emission renewable energy certificate devices such as solar panels, and 2,000 kilowatts for low-emission renewable energy certificate devices such as fuel cells.
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