Value of Solar & Storage

Value of Solar Proviso Language from ESSB 5950 for FY24

Department of Commerce – Energy and Innovation

(45)(a) $500,000 of the general fund—state appropriation for fiscal year 2025 is provided solely for the department to contract with the Washington state academy of sciences to conduct a study to determine the value of distributed solar and storage in Washington state, including any factors the academy finds relevant, in order to create recommendations and options for a methodology or methodologies that utility regulators and governing bodies may use after the statutory four percent net metering threshold is met. In the course of their research and analysis, the academy shall engage relevant stakeholders focused on the value of distributed energy resources in Washington state, including solar, storage, vehicle to grid, and other resources. This shall include, but is not limited to, representatives from consumer-owned utilities, municipal-owned utilities, investor-owned utilities, utility regulators, the rooftop solar and storage industry, as well as advocacy organizations involved with consumer advocacy, environmental justice, clean energy, climate change, labor unions, and federally recognized Indian tribes.

(b) The Washington state academy of sciences shall submit an interim report to the department and the utilities and transportation commission by June 30, 2025. This interim report must include a plan and cost estimates for further work in the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to develop policy recommendations and submit a final report to the department and the utilities and transportation commission.

Value of Solar Legislative Language for FY26-FY27 as directed by Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5267 – Section 133 (17)2,

the WSAS shall:

“complete a study to determine the value of distributed solar and storage in Washington state. Including any factors that it finds relevant, the academy shall develop policy recommendations and options for methodology or methodologies that utility regulators and governing bodies may use after the statutory four percent net metering threshold is met. The academy shall submit a final report to the department and the utilities and transportation commission by October 1, 2026.”