In a decision by the New York State Public Service Commission on 16^th October 2015, ceilings on the interconnection of distributed generation by sources like residential solar PV, sometimes called “caps”, were indefinitely suspended for all utility companies in the State. The Order can be found at the top of this search list, or downloaded from here. Hat tip to PV Magazine.

The Commission orders:
1. Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation d/b/a National Grid, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc., and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation are directed to file, by October 30, 2015, tariff leaves implementing revisions to the ceilings on the interconnection of net metered generation in conformance with the requirements set forth in the body of this Order. The tariff leaves shall become effective November 6, 2015.

The Notice expanded the scope of this proceeding to include all major New York electric utilities, as listed in Ordering Clause No. 1 below.

The Net Metering Ceilings
As [the petitioner] points out, the NEM Cap Order directed utilities to advise if a ceiling on the interconnection of net metered generation is in need of revision. Contrary to [petitioner]’s implication, however, nothing in the NEM Cap Order authorizes utilities to cease interconnecting projects once the ceiling is reached. Instead, beginning with the NY-Sun Order, utilities have been instructed to continue accepting applications for interconnection until such time as limitations on interconnection can be addressed.

Moreover, increases to the ceiling cannot be forestalled while decisions that will be made in REV are awaited. As stated in the NEM Cap Order, “in no event, however, would a gap be allowed to open between the time minimum purchase obligations under the ceilings are fulfilled and the availability of [successors in REV] commences.”… As a result, utilities must continue to accept applications for net metering and process interconnections notwithstanding the level of the ceilings on net metered capacity. As stated in the CDG Order, “the obligation to add net metered generation continues” whatever the level of the ceilings …

The continued rapid pace at which utilities receive applications for net metered interconnections indicates that the NY-Sun Program for promoting solar PV has met with great success and that the PV industry continues to flourish in New York. As discussed in the NY-Sun Order, the NEM Cap Order, the Transition Plan Order, and the CDG Order, the growth of net metered PV and achievement of the State’s energy goals, and so that growth must not be disrupted because of the ceilings on interconnecting more net metered generation. Moreover, the pace of development should be set by the NY-Sun Program and other policies for promoting net metered generation, not by the level of the ceilings.

This is part of New York’s Reforming the Energy Vision and highlights Web site, and includes a comprehensive energy plan.
That Plan has a public-private New York State Smart Grid Consortium, a Smart Grid Road Map, a Battery and Energy Storage Consortium, and NY-Sun:

• 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels
• 50% of energy generation from renewable energy sources
• 600 trillion Btu increase in statewide energy efficienc

by 2030.