The impact of retail rate structures on the economics of commercial photovoltaic systems in California

摘要: This article examines the impact of retail electricity rate design on economic value grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems, focusing commercial customers in California. Using 15-min interval building load and PV production data from a sample 24 actual installations, we compare bill savings across 20 commercial-customer rates currently offered state. Across all combinations rates, find that annual PV, per kWh generated, ranges $0.05 to $0.24/kWh. sizable range rate-reduction reflects differences structures, revenue requirements, size system relative load, customer shape. The most significant issue for is found be percentage total utility bills recovered through demand charges, though variety other factors are also importance. net metering substantial, but only when energy systems represents portion load. Though analysis presented here specific California, our general results demonstrate fundamental importance customer-economics grid-connected, customer-sited PV.