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Bill > SB892


WI SB892

WI SB892
Net metering for rooftop solar energy systems.


summary

Introduced
01/27/2026
In Committee
01/27/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under this bill, an electric provider may not prohibit an interconnection with a rooftop solar energy system on the basis of the system’s generating capacity if the system’s generating capacity does not exceed 500 kilowatts for a commercial building or 30 kilowatts for a residential building. Under the bill, an electric provider is a public utility that owns or operates a retail electric distribution system, or a retail electric cooperative. The bill provides that, in determining whether a rooftop solar energy system’s generating capacity exceeds those limits, an electric provider may not include the generating capacity, energy storage capacity, or discharge power rating of a battery energy storage system associated with the rooftop solar energy system. The bill also provides that a rooftop solar energy system may not interconnect to electric distribution facilities unless the system includes advanced metering infrastructure and allows for meter aggregation. The bill requires each electric provider to establish a standardized net LRB-5481/1 EHS:cjs 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 892 metering agreement to be used for all customer-owned rooftop solar energy systems that meet the generating capacity limits described above. The bill applies a number of requirements to such a standardized net metering agreement, including that the electric provider must issue to a customer a credit for any electricity generated by the customer’s rooftop solar energy system that is delivered to the electric power distribution grid. The bill requires that this credit be valued at 100 percent of the retail rate of electricity and applied against the customer’s electric bill in any subsequent month. The bill provides that such credits expire on March 31 of each calendar year, and that any unexpired credits are transferable to a new building owner at the time of sale. Under the bill, an electric provider may revise a standardized net metering agreement if the adoption rate of rooftop solar energy systems in its service territory exceeds 10 percent in any of the preceding 12 months. The same requirements apply to a revised net metering agreement, except that the value of a credit issued to a customer is 90 percent of the retail rate of electricity. The bill provides that a revised agreement takes effect 60 days after written notice is provided to all customers in the electric provider’s service area.

AI Summary

This bill establishes rules for "net metering," a system that allows owners of rooftop solar energy systems to receive credit for excess electricity they send back to the power grid. Specifically, it mandates that electric providers, which are defined as public utilities or electric cooperatives that operate a retail electricity distribution system, cannot refuse to connect a rooftop solar system based on its size if it's under 500 kilowatts for commercial buildings or 30 kilowatts for residential buildings. Importantly, the bill clarifies that any associated battery storage capacity should not be counted towards these generating capacity limits. To interconnect, these solar systems must have advanced metering infrastructure and allow for meter aggregation, which means the system can combine readings from multiple meters. The bill requires electric providers to create a standard net metering agreement where any excess solar electricity sent to the grid will earn the customer a credit equal to 100% of the retail electricity rate, which can be applied to future bills. These credits expire annually on March 31st but can be transferred to a new building owner. However, if the adoption of rooftop solar systems in an electric provider's service area exceeds 10% in a year, the provider can revise the agreement, reducing the credit value to 90% of the retail rate, after providing 60 days' notice to customers.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Read first time and referred to Committee on Utilities, Technology and Tourism (on 01/27/2026)

bill text


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