These tariffs are not available for facilities that have participated in the California Solar Initiative (CSI), Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) program or other ratepayer funded generation incentive program, including net metering tariffs.
Under the California Solar Initiative (CSI) and the Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), customers are offered upfront financial incentives to install solar, wind, and biogas generating capacity that can offset their customer load. Most customers that want to generate renewables that can offset their own usage will be better off using net-metering and our established incentive programs like the California Solar Initiative, due to the embedded financial incentive in net metering, and the fact that the incentive programs are designed to help customers offset the upfront capital expenditure of installations. Incentive programs are currently available for solar (California Solar Initiative) and biogas and wind (Self Generation Incentive Program). The feed-in tariffs also cover biomass and geothermal, for which there are no onsite generation incentive programs. Some customers may prefer a long-term contract at a fixed price over a financial incentive paid in the short term (under CSI for example) coupled with net metering.
Under the Renewable Portfolio Standard Program, the utilities are interested in signing contracts for renewable projects over 1.5 MW in size. The feed-in tariffs are intended for systems smaller than the RPS minimum contract size of 1.5 MW.
Table 6. Comparison of Various Renewable Programs
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 | Column 4 | Column 5 |
|
|
Feed-In Tariffs |
California Solar Initiative |
Self-Generation Incentive Program |
Renewable Portfolio Standard Program |
|
Open to all renewable resources |
X |
|
|
X |
|
Open to solar facilities |
X |
X |
|
X |
|
Open to wind and biogas |
X |
|
X |
X |
|
Facilities over 1.5 MW in total system size |
|
X
Rebates only for first 1 MW of generation |
X
Rebates only for first 1 MW of generation |
X |
|
Facilities under 1.5 MW in system size |
X |
X |
X |
|
|
Financial Incentives Available |
|
X
Solar Only |
X
Wind/Biogas Only |
|
|
Renewable Energy Credits transfer to utilities per contract terms |
X ***
|
|
|
X |
|
Renewable Energy Credits retained by system owner |
|
X
See .07-01-018 |
X
D.05-05-011 |
|
|
Customers able to use "net metering" tariffs |
|
X |
X |
|
*** = Renewable Energy Credits transfer to the utilities only for the energy sold to the utilities. If some energy is used onsite under the Net Sales approach, the applicable Renewable Energy Credits stay with the system owner.
Difference Between Feed-In Tariffs and Those Offered in Spain and Germany
These feed-in tariffs differ from the similarly named "feed-in tariffs" in Germany and Spain which include an incentive in the feed-in tariff price. Under the feed-in tariffs in California, customers are paid for the cost of generation based on the "market price referent". The price is based on the value of electrical generation, but is not intended to embed a subsidy or rebate in the price offering.
Interconnection
Interconnection may be accomplished using Commission-approved Rule 21, or FERC-Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP), as long as the process follows the principles of timely review and disposition, and does not present a barrier to project completion.