Input Needed: Distributed Generation Rates and Community Solar

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Overview

Almost every day you can see a new headline announcing advances in clean, renewable energy. It’s also a hot topic in Stillwater.

In early 2020, the Stillwater City Council passed a resolution expressing a commitment to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy and forming a citizen “Renewable Energy Task Force."

Now, Stillwater City Council sitting as trustees of the Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) will address energy-related issues, including distributed generation, community solar, and renewable energy certificates.

Distributed Generation

Stillwater Electric Director Loren Smith said, “The current distributed generation rate is an industry-standard design; however, we realize the billing process is difficult to understand. While the SUA trustees adopted the current distributed generation rate in 2018, we feel a need to revisit the topic and get public input to see if adjustments are needed to the program.”

Distributed generation refers to a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used, such as solar panels on residential houses.

“The SUA is looking at how to equitably credit and bill customers who use distributed generation. We are seeing customers signing solar panel contracts without having a clear understanding of the methodology the City of Stillwater uses for calculating credits on customer’s electric bills,” Smith said. “The City wants renewable energy in our community.”

In fact, one of the City’s strategic priorities is to provide reliable utility service that meets the needs of today’s customers as well as to anticipate future ones, and that means opportunities for renewable energy.

In addition to distributed generation, the City of Stillwater is exploring opportunities for customers to purchase renewable energy through programs like community solar and renewable energy certificates.

Smith said, “If you want to purchase solar energy, but don’t want solar panels on your home, we are looking at establishing a community solar farm at the Stillwater Energy Center. However, we need public input on what this program would look like.”

Another program would allow customers to purchase renewable energy certificates called RECs. The certificates represent actual energy produced by renewable power sources. Although the energy is not actually delivered to the buyer, by purchasing the certificates the customer receives the benefit of using renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Options

Smith explained that SUA wants to explore additional options for customers who want options for clean, renewable energy. The optimal mix of programs and how best to fund such programs are among details the SUA will have to address. “This is part of why the public input is so important,” he added.

In a recent FlashVote survey, 29 percent of Stillwater residents indicated that they would be willing to pay 1 to 10 percent more for power produced by a community solar farm. Another 25.3 percent said that they would be willing to look at a community solar farm if there was no additional cost associated with it.

Smith said he is looking forward to the Oct. 19 SUA meeting when the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) will present its new community solar program and discuss revisions to its distributed generation policy. The City of Stillwater purchases its wholesale electricity from GRDA.

Next up for SUA is a Utility Rates Study Session on Monday, Oct. 26 and a breakout session on distributed generation tariff rates on Monday, Nov. 2. SUA has contracted LM Vedder Consulting to provide services regarding 1) Distributed Generation Tariff Review and Modification; and 2) Community Solar and Renewable Energy Certificate (RECs) Rate Design.

Public Input Opportunities

LM Vedder Consulting will also host a Zoom public input session for distributed generation on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to access the meeting will be posted on the City of Stillwater’s website stillwater.org.

Smith said, “The public has a vested interest in their energy options. We need input so we can build the best program we can.” Public input will focus on three alternative rate design proposals for distributed generation.

LM Vedder Consulting will then focus on community solar and REC rate design. Smith said, “Again, public input is critical, especially for a new concept for Stillwater like community solar.”

A Zoom public meeting on community solar and REC rate design is planned for early December.


About this Page

This page is meant to function as the hub of civic engagement for this project. Feedback is shared with City Council and city staff. Comments made on this page, as well as any comments made to city staff through email, are considered public documents. For questions about this, click on "Who's Listening."

Overview

Almost every day you can see a new headline announcing advances in clean, renewable energy. It’s also a hot topic in Stillwater.

In early 2020, the Stillwater City Council passed a resolution expressing a commitment to transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy and forming a citizen “Renewable Energy Task Force."

Now, Stillwater City Council sitting as trustees of the Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) will address energy-related issues, including distributed generation, community solar, and renewable energy certificates.

Distributed Generation

Stillwater Electric Director Loren Smith said, “The current distributed generation rate is an industry-standard design; however, we realize the billing process is difficult to understand. While the SUA trustees adopted the current distributed generation rate in 2018, we feel a need to revisit the topic and get public input to see if adjustments are needed to the program.”

Distributed generation refers to a variety of technologies that generate electricity at or near where it will be used, such as solar panels on residential houses.

“The SUA is looking at how to equitably credit and bill customers who use distributed generation. We are seeing customers signing solar panel contracts without having a clear understanding of the methodology the City of Stillwater uses for calculating credits on customer’s electric bills,” Smith said. “The City wants renewable energy in our community.”

In fact, one of the City’s strategic priorities is to provide reliable utility service that meets the needs of today’s customers as well as to anticipate future ones, and that means opportunities for renewable energy.

In addition to distributed generation, the City of Stillwater is exploring opportunities for customers to purchase renewable energy through programs like community solar and renewable energy certificates.

Smith said, “If you want to purchase solar energy, but don’t want solar panels on your home, we are looking at establishing a community solar farm at the Stillwater Energy Center. However, we need public input on what this program would look like.”

Another program would allow customers to purchase renewable energy certificates called RECs. The certificates represent actual energy produced by renewable power sources. Although the energy is not actually delivered to the buyer, by purchasing the certificates the customer receives the benefit of using renewable energy.

Renewable Energy Options

Smith explained that SUA wants to explore additional options for customers who want options for clean, renewable energy. The optimal mix of programs and how best to fund such programs are among details the SUA will have to address. “This is part of why the public input is so important,” he added.

In a recent FlashVote survey, 29 percent of Stillwater residents indicated that they would be willing to pay 1 to 10 percent more for power produced by a community solar farm. Another 25.3 percent said that they would be willing to look at a community solar farm if there was no additional cost associated with it.

Smith said he is looking forward to the Oct. 19 SUA meeting when the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) will present its new community solar program and discuss revisions to its distributed generation policy. The City of Stillwater purchases its wholesale electricity from GRDA.

Next up for SUA is a Utility Rates Study Session on Monday, Oct. 26 and a breakout session on distributed generation tariff rates on Monday, Nov. 2. SUA has contracted LM Vedder Consulting to provide services regarding 1) Distributed Generation Tariff Review and Modification; and 2) Community Solar and Renewable Energy Certificate (RECs) Rate Design.

Public Input Opportunities

LM Vedder Consulting will also host a Zoom public input session for distributed generation on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. Information on how to access the meeting will be posted on the City of Stillwater’s website stillwater.org.

Smith said, “The public has a vested interest in their energy options. We need input so we can build the best program we can.” Public input will focus on three alternative rate design proposals for distributed generation.

LM Vedder Consulting will then focus on community solar and REC rate design. Smith said, “Again, public input is critical, especially for a new concept for Stillwater like community solar.”

A Zoom public meeting on community solar and REC rate design is planned for early December.


About this Page

This page is meant to function as the hub of civic engagement for this project. Feedback is shared with City Council and city staff. Comments made on this page, as well as any comments made to city staff through email, are considered public documents. For questions about this, click on "Who's Listening."

  • SUA to receive presentation of DG Rate Design Recommendation at April 5 meeting

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    Stillwater Utilities Authority (SUA) will meet over videoconference for a special meeting this Monday, April 5.

    Residents are encouraged to watch virtually, though the Council Hearing Room at 723 S. Lewis St. will remain open to the public.

    One topic the trustees will discuss is the presentation of distributed generation citizen engagement process conducted by LM Vedder Consulting, and staff recommendation for distributed generation rate structure. To read the full agenda items and the accompanying reports for this meeting, go to http://stillwater.org/agenda.

    This meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted as usual. Residents can watch the meeting live on AT&T U-verse channel 99, Suddenlink channel 14 and the City of Stillwater’s YouTube Live link at youtube.com/c/CityofStillwaterTV/live. A recording of the meeting will also be posted to the "Videos" section of this Speak Up Stillwater page.

    If you'd like to speak at this meeting, fill out the request to speak form at stillwater.org/requesttospeak. Residents who sign up to speak will be expected to speak in person and wear a face covering. Requests to speak must be submitted by 3 p.m. on the day of the meeting. Residents who have requested to speak will be contacted with the appropriate login information needed to participate through videoconference.

  • Renewable Energy Task Force to hold a special meeting to discuss Draft Distributed Generation Tariff Recommendation

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    The Renewable Energy Task Force will have a special meeting over videoconference on Tuesday, March 23 from 4 – 5 pm to discuss the draft of the Distributed Generation Tariff recommendation. The Draft DG Tariff Recommendation can also be found in the "Documents" section on the right side of this Speak Up Stillwater page.

    Anyone is invited to view the meeting. Visit http://stillwater.org/agenda/org/renewable for the full agenda and details about how to join*.

    *Task Force members will be sent a direct invite to join the Zoom call.

  • Draft Distributed Generation Tariff Recommendation is ready for review

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    LM Vedder Consulting and City of Stillwater staff have been working together to create a recommendation for a new Distributed Generation (DG) Tariff. A draft of this recommendation can be found in the "Documents" section located on the right side of this Speak Up Stillwater page. Feedback from current distributed generation customers, the Renewable Energy Task Force, and results from the Distributed Generation Survey that closed at the end of 2020 were taken into account while structuring this recommendation. Residents are encouraged to share their input on the draft in the "Ideas" tab.

  • Community Solar and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) Workshop Recap

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    The City of Stillwater Electric Utility and Lisa Vedder of LM Consulting hosted a virtual workshop on Thursday, Dec. 3.

    Vedder gave an educational presentation on the following topics:

    • What is Community Solar?
    • Benefits of Community Solar
    • Community Solar in Oklahoma
    • What are Renewable Energy Certificates?
    • City of Stillwater Renewable Energy Certificate Program

    After the presentation, the floor was opened up to the public for a question-and-answer session.

    Thank you to everyone who participated!

    View a recording of the workshop below. A copy of the 'Community Solar & RECs Public Workshop Slides' can be found in the Documents section on the right side of this page.


    Community Solar and RECs Workshop, Dec. 3, 2020

  • Ask the expert: City of Stillwater to hold a virtual, educational workshop on community solar and renewable energy certificates

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    Stillwater City Council sitting as trustees of the Stillwater Utility Authority (SUA) has been looking into renewable energy topics. The City of Stillwater recently held a virtual workshop on distributed generation rates. Now, the City of Stillwater is working to educate the public on community solar and renewable energy certificate (REC) options.

    Lisa Vedder of LM Vedder Consulting will host a Zoom public workshop on community solar and renewable energy certificates (RECs) on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop is part of SUA’s effort to explore additional options for customers who want clean, renewable energy.

    After the presentation, the floor will be opened up to the public for a question-and-answer session.

    Those who are interested in attending this workshop should use this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K_kaSYhFTzejhT63o8WPfQ

    A recording of each workshop will be posted in the Video section of this Distributed Generation Rates and Community Solar page. Customers may also use this page to provide feedback and questions on community solar, renewable energy certificates, and distributed generation. If you would like to give your input on distributed generation rates, the Distributed Generation Survey is open until Dec. 31.

    For more information, email news@stillwater.org. To learn more about the City’s efforts to gain community input on a variety of topics visit Speak Up Stillwater.

    To read the original release, visit the Stillwater News page.

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  • Distributed Generation Virtual Workshop Recap

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    The City of Stillwater Electric Utility and Lisa Vedder of LM Consulting hosted a virtual workshop on Thursday, Nov. 12.

    Vedder gave an informative presentation that covered the following topics:

    • What Distributed Generation Is
    • Electric 101 Basic Concepts
    • How City of Stillwater Costs Translate into Retail Electric Rates
    • Types of Distributed Generation Retail Rate Tariffs
    • The City of Stillwater’s Existing Distributed Generation Tariff
    • Distributed Generation Cost Recovery Options


    After the presentation, the floor was opened up to the public for a question-and-answer session.

    Thank you to everyone who participated! Don't forget to fill out the Distributed Generation Survey by Dec. 31.

    View a recording of the workshop below. A copy of the 'Distributed Generation Public Workshop Slides' can be found in the Documents section on the right side of this page.


    Distributed Generation Workshop, Nov. 12, 2020


  • City of Stillwater to hold a virtual workshop on distributed generation rates

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    Over the past few weeks, the Stillwater City Council sitting as trustees of the Stillwater Utility Authority (SUA) has been looking into renewable energy topics like distributed generation rates, community solar, and renewable energy certificates. Now, the City of Stillwater would like to hear what you have to say.

    Lisa Vedder of LM Vedder Consulting will host a Zoom public workshop on distributed generation on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m. The workshop is part of SUA’s effort to explore additional options for customers who want clean, renewable energy.

    The workshop will include an overview of what distributed generation is; background on Stillwater’s existing Distributed Generation Tariff; how SUA costs translate to retail rates; different types of distributed generation retail rate tariffs; and distributed generation cost-recovery options. After the presentation, the floor will be opened up to the public for a question-and-answer session.

    Stillwater Electric Utility Director Loren Smith said, “This is an important topic, and we want to hear what are customers are thinking. Feedback is needed so that we can build the best program.”

    Those who are interested in attending this workshop should use this link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_W0iVj-fWQPisQqohJ5KLmw

    A recording of the workshop will be posted in the video section of this Distributed Generation Rates and Community Solar page. Customers may also use this page to provide feedback and questions about distributed generation as well as the community solar.

    For more information, email news@stillwater.org. To learn more about the City’s efforts to gain community input on a variety of topics visit Speak Up Stillwater.

    To read the original release, visit the Stillwater News page.

    -30-

    Follow the City of Stillwater on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor

Page last updated: 16 Mar 2021, 08:44 AM