Net Metering--Wind Without Limits

In Tom Starrs latest summary of net metering legislation in the US I noted
a worrisome trend. Of the 30 states with net metering, only 4 (less than
15%) permit net metering for any size wind turbine the customer chooses. In
this age of "customer choice" the customer should indeed have a choice
about the size of the wind turbine they want to use under net metering
programs. Most programs limit wind turbines to 10 kW or less. Some permit
50 kW or less. A few go as far as permitting 100 kW. But only Iowa, New
Jersey, Ohio, and Connecticut have the foresight to permit wind turbines as
large as the customer chooses.

The only argument for setting limits or "caps" on wind turbine size is to
protect utility markets. As advocates of wind energy we should not be in
the business of protecting electric utility markets. The utilities do quite
well on their own without our help--quite well indeed.

We should explicitly, and aggressively demand "Wind Without Limits" in our
campaign for net metering. We shouldn't settle for less. If we do, wind
will once again be shortchanged. We may not get another chance.

As Ben Paulos points out in the following post, net metering is self
limiting. We don't need to add artificial limits. Only those who can make
use of larger generators will choose them. Customers such as Shafer
Industries and Spirit Lake school will opt for larger turbines because it
makes economic sense to do so. Those for whom a 10 kW machine makes sense
will choose a 10 kW machine. We shouldn't make that choice for them.

If you're interest in taking action on this issue, send a message to
randy_swisher@.... Ask that AWEA consider "Net Metering--Wind Without
Limits" at its next meeting. Or send a message to Tom Starrs
kelstar@... and ask him to take the shackles of wind energy.

Paul Gipe

Paul Gipe
208 S. Green St., #5; Tehachapi CA 93561-1741 USA; ph: +661 822 9150; fax:
+661 822 8452; pgipe@.... Wind Power for Home & Business (Chelsea Green
Pub., 1993), Wind Energy Comes of Age (John Wiley & Sons, 1995), Wind
Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems (Chelsea Green Pub.,
1999). <http://rotor.fb12.tu-berlin.de/personen/paul.html>