Value of Solar Tariff Will it work in Washington State? Ahlmahz Negash

Overview Net Energy Metering Value of Solar Tariffs Valuation methodologies Minnesota Method Modified Version Conclusion: VOST in Washington 2

Net Energy Metering “This is a stable and highly successful policy. We need to maintain net metering, not ‘fix’ it.” -Anne Smart, TASC Executive Director 3

How does NEM Value Solar? Is this fair? PV Electricity Grid Electricity 4

Why is NEM an issue? Poor Retail Rate Design Volumetric, not cost reflective Poor DER Pricing Mechanisms Incentive-based, not value-based “Todays rates are an increasing reflection of yesterday’s grid”. 1.Rocky Mountain Institute, “Rate Design for the Distribution Edge”, August Edison Electric Institute, “Disruptive Challenges: Financial Implications and Strategic Responses to a Changing Retail Electric Business”, Jan

Financial Impact of NEM Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, “Financial Impacts of Net-Metered PV on Utilities and Ratepayers: A Scoping Study of Two Prototypical U.S. Utilities”, September

Legislation to Eliminate or Alter NEM NC Clean Energy Technology Center, “Rethinking Standby Charges and Fixed Cost Charges: Regulatory and Rate Design Pathways to Deeper Solar PV Cost Reductions”, August

Summary: NEM Debate Argument against NEM PV customers avoid fixed costs and shift them to other customers PV customers use the grid as a free battery! Argument for NEM The benefits of PV more than make up for the cost of NEM. Traditional Benefits Non-Traditional Benefits Environmental Benefits Investment Deferral Loss ReductionCapacityEnergy 8

Value of Solar (I) “The right price mechanism for a forward-looking technology is not backward- looking costs.” -Karl Rabago, Former Texas Regulator and Utility Executive 9

Value of Solar Tariffs (VOST) Sum of several individually calculated value components. “Buy All. Sell All.” Levelized Value Alternative to NEM Clean Power Research Austin Energy – 2012 Minnesota Is it possible for VOST>Retail Rate? 10

Value of Solar Tariffs Design Process Calculate VOST Quantify Economic Value Identify Value Components 11

Step 1: Identify Value Components Energy Benefits Avoided fuel cost Avoided variable plant O & M costs Avoided energy lossEnergy hedge value Capacity Benefits Generation CapacityReserve Capacity Transmission & Distribution Capacity Fixed O & M Plant Costs Ancillary Benefits Voltage RegulationOther Benefits Externalities Environmental Benefits: * Reduced RPS Need * REC Sales * Reduced Carbon * Other Benefits Societal Benefits * Local Economy * Stimulates technology * Other benefits StraightforwardComplex 12

Step 2: Quantify Economic Value 13

Example: Value of Avoided Fuel Costs 14

Results: Value of Avoided Fuel Costs PricesCostsDisc. Costs Year Guaranteed Fuel Prices Burnertip Fuel Price Solar Weighed Heat Rate Utility PriceVOS p.u. PV ProductionUtilityVOS Discount Factor (risk free)UtilityVOS $/MMBtu (Btu/kWh)$/kWh (kWh)($) 2014$3.93$ $0.03$ $35.61$ $35.61$ $4.13$ $0.04$ $37.09$ $37.08$ $4.28$ $0.04$ $38.08$ $37.84$ $4.40$ $0.04$ $38.91$ $38.21$ $4.55$ $0.04$ $39.97$ $38.61$ $8.77$ $0.07$ $68.81$ $37.36$ $9.01$ $0.08$ $70.24$ $36.65$ $9.24$ $0.08$ $71.71$ $35.98$ $9.49$ $0.08$ $73.21$ $35.34$ $9.74$ $0.08$ $74.74$ $34.75$22.91 Validation: Present Value $

Step 3: VOST Calculation 16

Load Match Factors (Winter Peaking Region) Effective Load Carrying Capacity (ELCC)Peak Load Reduction (PLR) ELCC = PLR = 0 17

Value of Solar Tariff Will this method work for Washington State? Winter peaking No capacity value! Marginal fuel is NG and Hydro Energy value is incorrect! Env. Value is incorrect! $

Marginal Fuel Assumption… 50% NG & 50% Hydro20% NG & 80% Hydro $0.073 $

Value of Solar (II) 20

Another VOST Energy value = Mid-C Forecast Load Match = Capacity Factor Env. Value = Reduced RPS Needs + REC Sales REC=$1/REC $

One more time… Energy value = Market Price Load Match = Capacity Factor Env. Value = Reduced RPS Needs + REC Sales REC=$50/REC $

Conclusion Washington State VOST: Policy Implications 23

Policy Implications… Solar Policy Standard-Based RPS (Solar) REC/SREC ACP Rate Value of Solar EPA SCC... Incentive-Based NEM Tax Credits Production Credits Value of Solar Tariff VOS sets prices (e.g. ACP) VOS justifies incentive level VOS determines rate Policy creates demand Policy rewards supply 24

VOST: A good idea? Yes 1.VOST is fair and just compensation method for everyone. 2.VOST is more economically sound and efficient than current net metering policies. 3.VOST can optimize solar penetration and location without arbitrary caps. No 1.Without strong solar policies, the value of solar is low in Washington. 2.A VOST is not likely to be high enough to drive local solar economy. 3.Uncertainty in future policies can place financial risk on utilities and/or undervalue solar. 25

Summary Many factors influence VOST calculations Economic assumptions Regional characteristics Federal and state RE/solar policies A successful Washington State VOST would: require monetizing additional externalities be very policy dependent address the need to restructure rates 26

Thank you! 27