20130927Comment.pdf

Jean Jewell
From:dloganadawebnet
Sent:Friday,September 27,2013 2:58 PM
To:Beverly Barker;Jean Jewell;Gene Fadness
Cc:dloganadawebnet
Subject:Case Comment Form:Dave Logan
Name:Dave Logan
Case Number:IPC-E-12-27
Email:dlogan(aUaweb.net
Telephone:
Address:200 W Front Street
Boise ID,83702
Name of Utility Company:Idaho Power
Acknowledge public record:True
Comment:Ada County would like to offer its comments on applying net metering credits to
offset usage at multiple sites.Ada County has a net metered 11 KW PV system at Barber Park
in Boise,Idaho.It came on-line in September 2011 and generates approximately 15,500 kWhs
per year.It was installed on the roof of the Barber Park administration building (Building
A)because of its ideal features for solar energy production.;i.e.easy access and a white
TPO membrane roof with an unobstructed southern exposure.
Ada County worked closely with Idaho Power during the planning of the system and met on-site
with utility personnel during the design phase to determine how the net-metering would be
done.Building A is served by a transformer that sits behind the building.However,the
cost to tie the PV system into this transformer for net-metering was substantial due to the
type of transformer and the underground boring that would be needed to run the power cables
under the concrete sidewalks and an asphalt driveway over to the transformer.
After discussing all options for net metering with Idaho Power,both parties agreed the
“best”approach would be to use the meter base on a park building located next door (Building
B)as it was much easier to do and a lot less costly.The interconnection simply required
installing a new meter base for Building B and trenching the line about 20 feet through grass
between the 2 buildings.Building B itself uses very little energy and Idaho Power assured
the County we could simply transfer the excess energy cash credits earned on the net metering
account over to Building A’s account.
This arrangement has worked very well for Ada County.The County has never requested or
received a cash payment from Idaho Power for the excess energy produced but has always
directly applied its credits from Building B to the account for Building A,on which the PV
system is physically located.
Upon the release of Order 32846,the County obtained an estimate from a local PV company of
$9,000 to move the net metering from Building B to Building A’s transformer.Considering
that the PV system generates a cash credit of only $500 in an entire year,the simple payback
is 18 years so moving the net meter far outweighs the benefits.
Therefore,Ada County strongly supports the Commission’s reconsideration to allow the
accumulation and transfer of energy “credits”from one account to another.Further,Ada
County also believes that replacing cash credits with bankable energy credits that can be
applied to other accounts is a fair way to compensate customers for local,renewable,
distributed generation.
Ada County works very hard to control energy costs through high performance buildings and
close tracking of energy consumption.We believe solar energy can help keep energy costs
down,though not all county facilities ate good candidates for a PV system due to security
concerns,access,orientation,etc.,so we strongly support a tariff that would allow a
customer to apply net metering credits generated at one facility to offset the energy
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consumed by another.The only condition we feel is appropriate would be that the accounts
belong to the same customer.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Dave Logan,Director
Selena ONeal,Energy Specialist
Ada County Operations
Unique Identifier:66.192.184.133
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