Dive Brief:

• Nevada hit its 235-MW solar cap months earlier than anticipated, but regulators have voted to keep current rates in place through the end of the year before the state's Public Utilities Commission does a full review for the second track of the state's net energy metering program.
• NV Energy reached its net metering cap on Aug. 20, and had proposed higher fees and new, lower remuneration rates for solar owners that industry advocates say would shut down the state's renewable sector.
• The 3-0 decision by the PUC means the state's solar industry will continue to grow through the end of the year, when regulators will work on new, permanent rules and rates for the industry.

Dive Insight:

Nevada will get a reprieve from the net metering debate, for a while at least, as regulators yesterday voted unanimously to continue with current rates and rules through the end of the year despite a cap on net metering being hit last week.

"The hard work is now before the commissioners to issue long-term rules" Bryan Miller, co-chairman of The Alliance for Solar Choice, said in a statement praising the decision. "We are grateful that the commission's decision will allow Nevadans to return to their jobs today, while the commission determines long-term rules for solar net metering."

TASC said it "will remain vocal to ensure that these rules allow Nevada's solar industry to continue creating jobs and driving economic growth."

According to renewables supporters, the state's solar industry shut down when the 235-MW cap on net metering was hit — months in advance of initial estimates. The state has until the end of the year to develop new, permanent rules and rates for the industry.

Earlier this month the PUC rejected a bid to expand the cap, finding that it was the legislature's jurisdiction. That could change, however; lawmakers have proposed a bill to shift the state's net metering controversy over to the PUC and allow state regulators authority to decide whether or not to expand the a cap.