Net Metering Incentive Payment

Pilot Program

The Net Metering Incentive Payment Pilot Program is established as an effort to:

  1. Encourage participation in net metering programs offered by local utilities by providing financial incentives to utility members and/or customers (hereafter interchangeably referred to as “members”) through accelerated returns on their net-metering investments and potential monthly bill offsets via earned credits or payments.
  2. Increase behind-the-meter capacity of customer-owned, grid-connected infrastructure by enrolling new members or expanding existing systems.
  3. Reduce natural gas consumption within the Cook Inlet basin. 
  4. Stabilize utility load demand, particularly during short-duration, high-peak periods driven by increased adoption of electric vehicles, heat pumps and boilers. 
  5. Assess long-term impacts resulting from expanded net metering program participation.

Program Participation

Eligible participants may submit biannual payment requests (January-June and July-December) to the Alaska Energy Authority using the form provided in the Participant’s Agreement, which is listed in the Required Forms section below. Payments are issued by AEA directly to the Participant and are to be used solely to offset initial costs of installation for members.

Participation is voluntary and initiated through a signed Program-Participant Agreement with AEA. Participants may withdraw at any time by submitting written notice. If payments have been received, AEA may request relevant information related to the participant’s enrollment.

Eligibility

All electric utilities operating under a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity as issued by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, and that operate a net metering program as required under 3 AAC 50.900 – 3 AAC 50.949, and are interconnected to the Railbelt Transmission grid are eligible to participate in the program. Note that an electric utility that is exempt from economic regulation by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska under AS 42.05.711 is ineligible to participate in this program.

Funds Availability

This pilot program is supported by $750,000 in programmatic funding and will remain active until one of the following occurs:

  • Funds are fully expended, 
  • Termination is initiated and mutually agreed upon by AEA or the Participant,
  • Or until June 30, 2028. 

Required Forms