Energy.gov

Idaho does not have a statewide net-metering policy. However, each of the state's three investor-owned utilities -- Avista Utilities, Idaho Power and Rocky Mountain Power -- has developed a net-metering tariff that has been approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The framework of the utilities' net-metering programs is similar, in that each utility: (1) offers net metering to customers that generate electricity using solar, wind, hydropower, biomass or fuel cells; (2) limits residential systems to 25 kilowatts; (3) limits aggregate net-metered capacity to 0.1% of the utility's peak demand in a baseline year (2000 for Idaho Power); and (4) restricts any single customer from generating more than 20% of the aggregate capacity of all net-metered systems. Idaho Power's net-metering tariff is [http://www.idahopower.com/pdfs/BusinessToBusiness/tariffPdf84.pdf Schedule 84].

For residential and small commercial customers, net excess generation (NEG) is credited at Idaho Power's retail rate and carried forward to the next month. For large commercial and agricultural customers, NEG is credited at 85% of the utility's avoided-cost rate and carried forward to the next month.

Under Idaho Power's net-metering tariff, the customer is responsible for "all costs associated with any [utility] additions, modifications, or upgrades to any [utility] facilities that the [utility] determines are necessary as a result of the installation of the [generator] in order to maintain a safe, reliable electrical system."