According to Utah Clean Energy, the settlement agreement with Rocky Mountain Power in its rate case avoids a requested $15 fixed monthly charge, a $9.02 per-kW peak demand charge — which would cost approximately $30-$80 per month depending upon a customer’s peak electricity demand — and a reduced energy rate for solar customers. 

Current homeowners with solar and net metering applications submitted before Nov. 15, 2017 (estimated), will be grandfathered into the current net metering program until Jan. 1, 2036.

Net metering application filed after Nov. 15, 2017 (estimated) will receive a fixed credit for extra solar energy generation based on rates that are guaranteed through 2033, up to 170 MW total. After that total new application cap is met, rates will no longer be guaranteed.

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Ryan Evans, president of the Utah Solar Energy Association:
"This compromise allows Utahns to affordably invest in rooftop solar with the certainty of a 15-year fixed rate for energy they export to the grid. More importantly, solar customers will be able to generate all the power for use in their own home or business without being penalized. The transition program we've created will protect the majority of the 4,400 solar jobs in Utah and the $400 million economic impact the industry has in our state."

Sarah Wright, executive director of Utah Clean Energy:
"Utah Clean Energy's priority throughout this process was to ensure that all Utahns have the choice to power their homes with their own solar energy. This settlement accomplishes that goal for the near term, ensuring a stable solar market for Utah. It also allows experts to work through long-term solutions for integrating solar into our electricity system to finally end the tug-of-war that has been going on between the utility and families and businesses wanting to install solar."