NY A00597

Public Service Commission must issue an order within 365 days establishing equitable cost-sharing for interconnection expenses when two or more distributed generation resources use the same dedicated equipment (cables, wires, transformers, substations).

Cost-sharing applies to solar, wind, fuel cells, and other energy-generating equipment, including equipment necessary for community net-metering programs established after July 17, 2015.

The order must provide reimbursement to customer-generators and previous cost-payers in three scenarios: new applicants using existing equipment, multiple applicants sharing existing equipment, and applicants upgrading existing equipment for shared use.

Department of Public Service must notify applicants of cost-sharing payment obligations, and community net-metering subscribers whose facility owner received cost-sharing payments must receive proportional refunds against subscription costs.

Public Service Commission must consult with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and solicit input from renewable energy advocates and electric corporations when developing the order.