PSC questions WAPA’s intentions as more than 800 Net Billing applications remain deadlocked

Members of the Public Service Commission have learned that the Clean Energy Billing Program has caused numerous delays to encourage Virgin Islanders to install small-scale solar power generation for homes and businesses.

Delays, largely due to staffing issues at the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the Water and Power Authority, mean that of the 802 applications currently in the clean bill program queue, none have received final approval.

“The Energy Administration has not commented on this at this point,” said Jamil Springer, PSC industrial engineer. “There are about 410 applications awaiting final review” from WAPA, and the other half are in various preliminary stages of the process awaiting DPNR review. He noted that the Director of the Office of Energy is meeting with the Executive Director of WAPA as well as the Director of Building Permits for DPNR and the parties are “trying to expedite these matters.”

The Energy Administration VI is exploring the possibility of using grants to address staffing shortages, Mr. Springer said.

It’s important to note, PSC Commissioner David Hughes said, that even if the applications cleared the final hurdle for approval, WAPA didn’t have the functioning meters on hand to actually put the clean billing program into action. “This program disappears as soon as it gets to WAPA,” he claimed. He inquired about ways to solve this obstacle that were being developed by PSC staff.

“We’re still working out those details,” PSC Executive Director Sandra Setori said, noting the matter was discussed with WAPA and its board during a meeting several months ago. “We’re very picky again because of liability issues,” she said. “We want to make sure that all processes are absolutely flawless,” she said when asked about the liability issues. They refer to “people who may try to connect and don’t have specific sanctions from the authorities,” Ms. Setori said.

Commissioner Hughes wondered what restrictions the PSC might insist on, other than what was already imposed by the DPNR electrical inspector, who allegedly passed at least 400 of these systems that were tested for compliance with the National Electrical Code. “Do we think there is some other liability that WAPA knows about but no one else knows about?” called Mr. Hughes.

It is not that the PSC believes that the inspections may have been improperly conducted and certified, Ms. Setori replied. However, “we received different responses from WAPA,” she said, without providing any details or clarity. “We really want to make sure that what we’re doing is right and proper; the process we use.”

At the time, Commissioner Hughes reminded Ms. Setori that he had been involved in a meeting with her and the Energy Office “at least five months ago where we set up a workaround” for WAPA’s lack of working meters. This workaround, he explained, depends on the face. that “all those customers in line know how much electricity they’re generating” because their solar systems “have independent monitoring and metering capabilities.”

According to Mr Hughes, this means those customers “know how much electricity they are transferring to WAPA and can prove it”. He said the Public Service Commission can accept those records and “order a credit to the customer’s account with WAPA until WAPA can catch up, get the meters and get people on the billing system.”

While the PSC and WAPA have delayed implementing a workaround, the 802 solar systems currently in development “are installed whether they are inspected or not, and they provide free energy to the utility whether they are inspected or not. no .” Commissioner Hughes argued that because endless red tape has held up the permitting process, “a large percentage of people have simply chosen to ignore the process and continue to operate because they need rooftop solar. This is not a very good situation,” he said. “Installers are ignoring the permitting process and everyone is ignoring WAPA.”

Commissioner Hughes argued that any liability issues would be exacerbated in this unregulated environment.

According to WAPA CEO Carl Knight, the utility does have the capabilities to launch a clean billing program. “We have meters on approach,” he noted, telling commission members that “within the next week or so, I’ll have 1,100 meters,” with more on approach. “The meters (are) not going to be an issue that prevents us from doing this going forward.” Mr Knight pointed to the 400-odd applications “stuck in the DPR” as a bigger problem that needed to be addressed. The bottleneck on the WAPA side will be resolved in terms of staffing, he said. “I think of the Clean Energy Payments program as our program,” Mr. Knight said. “These are our clients. This is a program that we are very enthusiastic to support.”

Mr. Knight suggested to commission members that WAPA take more of the driver’s seat when it comes to administering the program. “I basically said (that) the program should be run by the Water and Power Authority,” he argued. “This should not be the DPNR’s permission. The conversation really has to start with WAPA … then you go look for your permit,” Mr. Knight continued, explaining that WAPA will essentially pre-approve the system before DPNR evaluates and gives permission for installation. “We have certain inverters that we prefer because we believe they meet our standards … and provide the network protection we need,” Mr Knight said. “We want to be able to inform customers about these requirements in advance.”

In response to a question from PSC Commissioner Laura Nicholls-Samms, Mr Knight estimated that it would take 4 to 5 weeks to install the first batch of meters, but noted that further deliveries were expected after the first set, so installations would continue after the initial stock was exhausted.

Commissioner Hughes initially welcomed the news and WAPA’s optimism that it could boost the program. However, during a connection problem that kept Mr. Knight temporarily offline, Mr. Hughes expressed skepticism about WAPA’s supposed enthusiasm. After learning that net billing may require special two-way meters, Commissioner Nichols-Samms wondered how many of the 1,100 incoming meters met that specification. “I’m sure he’ll tell us he’s got something to order,” Commissioner Hughes stated, before offering an alternative point of view. “The fundamental problem with this whole topic is that WAPA does not want to implement this program. Never. They slowed it down forever to get the power for free.”

When Mr. Knight was reinstated, the question of meter compatibility was put directly to him. “I don’t believe we’re doing a two-pronged job with the new clean bill program…but I need to make sure that what we have is aligned with what we need,” he said, slightly reversing his earlier confident assertion that WAPA was ready to promote the program. “My understanding is that it’s a two-meter installation,” Mr. Knight said when asked how WAPA would compensate for the power fed back into the grid. “I will confirm this for you Commissioner Hughes and make sure we have the correct inventory for those clients attending the program.”

The CEO of WAPA noted that the program already has clients. “I don’t want the public to be under the impression that we don’t currently have connected customers using network billing,” Mr Knight said.

Commissioner Nicholls-Summons asked Mr. Knight to provide some details in writing. “We don’t know how many meters were actually ordered for this program. I think it’s very important that we know … so that we can make a statement to the people in line,” she offered. Mr. Knight promised to provide her with the necessary information.