Let’s all do the Solar Hokey Pokey as a way to stay sane in the convoluted, often obstreperous US solar market. In June, Nevada followed its relatively good deed concerning net metering with a head-scratcher of a decision when its governor vetoed bills that would have extended its RPS and instituted a state-wide community solar program. Florida, state of few incentives and much potential, just like an underperforming high school senior, stepped up to encourage a market for renewable deployment on commercial buildings.

In 2015 Nevada passed legislation eliminating retail rates for net metered solar PV installations adding fees and making the changes retroactive. In 2016 the legislation was altered to grandfather in systems installed before the 2015 change. In June 2017 Nevada Assembly Bill 405 raised net metering compensation to 95% of retail rates, locked in the new rates for 20 years and included other protections such as protection for system owners/lessees from fees and changes in rate classification simply on the basis of PV system ownership/leasing. Installers are also required to provide a ten year system warranty. Net metering in Nevada will decrease by 7% in 80-MWp tiers until it reaches 75% of retail electricity rates.

And then … on June 16 Arizona Governor Sandoval vetoed two solar related bills extending the State’s RPS and establishing a statewide community solar program calling the moves “premature.” AB206 would have extended the states RPS to 25% by 2025 and 40% by 2030. SB392 would have established a statewide community solar program that offered subscribers utility credits.

Meanwhile, back on planet progress and also on June 16, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed SB90 into law. SB90 allows an amendment passed in 2016 to take effect in 2018. It will make solar and other RE generating technologies installed on commercial buildings exempt from property tax for 20 years, again, beginning in 2018. It will also ensure that 80% of the value of the equipment is exempt from property taxes. In sum this means that property taxes will not increase for investors in renewable technologies installed on commercial buildings. The bill also includes protections for consumers.

Comment: Let’s all do the solar hokey pokey. Legislative progress is always one step forward and one step back for the solar industry and this is true globally, not just for the US.

You put some progress in

You take some progress out

You insert at tariff, minimum price, fee or other restriction

And you shake it all about

You do the solar hokey pokey

And you turn an emerging industry inside out

That’s what it’s all about

Lesson: Repeat the above refrain several times and then trudge on through the convoluted legislative landscape towards progress.