AK HB37

Requires electric utilities regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to offer net metering programs to retail consumers who install eligible on-site generation systems.

Permits utilities to refuse new net metering customers if total nameplate capacity of all participating systems would exceed 1.5 percent of the utility's average retail demand, but allows existing participants to continue.

Eligible generation systems must be 25 kilowatts or less, located on or adjacent to consumer premises, and powered by renewable sources including solar, wind, biomass, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrokinetic, ocean thermal, or biogas.

Utilities must credit consumers at the non-firm power rate for excess electricity supplied to the grid, with credits applied to subsequent bills and never expiring or reverting to the utility.

Utilities bear all costs for additional metering equipment and cannot charge consumers recurring fees for net metering unless approved by the commission; act takes effect January 1, 2012.