Four Alaska co-ops file community solar tariffs in two-day span

Four major Alaska electric cooperatives filed community-energy program tariffs with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska over a three-day span this week, establishing terms under a regulatory framework that state law required the commission to create.

Chugach Electric Association submitted its filing on June 1, followed by Matanuska Electric Association and Homer Electric Association on June 2, and Golden Valley Electric Association on June 3. Each filing establishes terms for community-scale renewable facilities that allow members to subscribe to shares in central installations rather than installing panels on their own roofs. That opens solar access to renters and others without suitable rooftops.

A 2024 analysis by Alaska Energy Transparency said SB 152 required the RCA to create a regulatory framework for community solar projects, including compensation, interconnection, and how utility-created projects interact with third-party developers or nonprofits. The four cooperatives serve the Railbelt, the region most directly affected by the new framework.

Chugach's three-year pilot Community Energy Facility program allows members to subscribe to up to 20 panels at $267 per year, or $22.27 per month, per panel. Monthly bill credits are based on the subscribed share of energy produced. The project is a 500 kW AC array with 1,560 panels on Chugach-owned land near the Retherford Substation, open to retail members including residential and commercial classes.

GVEA filed two related tariff revisions: TA405-13 for updated interconnection procedures and TA406-13 for adoption of its Community Energy Program. GVEA requested a July 16 effective date for both filings.

MEA's filing establishes a Community-Based Renewable Energy Program covering terms, conditions, and fees for interconnecting community energy facilities to its system, along with requirements and costs attributable to facilities after interconnection.

Homer Electric's Community Energy Program filing includes procedures for consumers to enroll and establishes the duties HEA will perform under the program.

The Regulatory Commission is reviewing all four filings.