Quantifying the financial impacts of net-metered PV on utilities and ratepayers

摘要: Abstract Deployment of customer-sited photovoltaics (PV) in the United States has expanded rapidly recent years, driven by falling PV system prices, advent customer financing options, and various forms policy support at federal, state, local levels. With success these efforts, heated debates have surfaced a number U.S. states about impacts on utility shareholders ratepayers. We performed scoping analysis using financial model to quantify ratepayers assess magnitude under alternative conditions. find that generally reduces collected revenues greater than reductions costs leading revenue erosion effect lost future earnings opportunities. also average retail rates increase as are spread over relatively smaller sales base. analyze results assumptions operating regulatory environments can vary greatly depending upon specific circumstances utility. Based this analysis, we highlight potential implications for policymakers identify key issues warranting further analysis.