Advocates File Appeal Urging Regulators to Revisit Idaho Power Rooftop Solar Export Rates
Appeal Calls for Fixing Rate Methodology, Protecting Fair Solar Compensation
Contacts:
Estrella Lozano, Press and Media Associate at Vote Solar, elozano@votesolar.org
Kim Petty, Press Secretary, Sierra Club, kim.petty@sierraclub.org
Lisa Young, Director, Idaho Sierra Club, lisa.young@sierraclub.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2025
Boise, ID–Yesterday, Vote Solar and Sierra Club filed a Petition for Reconsideration with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) following the partially approved proposal by Idaho Power to reduce compensation rates for customer-generated solar. In this petition, the organizations asked the Commission to create a working group to resolve issues with the rooftop solar export rates before the next scheduled review in 2028.
In the final order, the PUC allowed Idaho Power to decrease the solar export rate by 31%, rather than the original 60% the utility requested, and froze any further changes until 2028. This decision impacts over 14,000 households in Idaho who have installed solar after 2019, lowering the price they are paid for the excess solar energy they share back on the grid.
In the petition, the organizations commended the Commission for limiting the proposed percentage decrease by Idaho Power; however, they call out the flawed Export Credit Rate (ECR) method used to calculate the solar export rate. The petition calls for the Commission to use the time before the next rate update in 2028 to collaboratively improve the ECR methodology.
“Families in Idaho turn to rooftop solar to gain stability and independence from unpredictable and ever-rising utility costs,” said Kate Bowman, Vote Solar’s Interior West Senior Regulatory Director. “Unfortunately, the current solar export rate structure undermines that stability— it’s designed to change from year to year and is biased toward utility profits, leaving solar customers exposed to unpredictable energy bills and unfair compensation rates.”
“The PUC acknowledged that the Export Credit Rates are unreasonable and volatile, which is why they chose to limit this year’s changes and delay the next change until 2028,“ said Lisa Young, Sierra Club Idaho Chapter Director. “But this is just a temporary Band-Aid. We need to come together to make real improvements to the methodology. Otherwise, communities in Idaho will face the same problem all over again in 2028.”
The City of Boise also submitted a Petition for Reconsideration on this case yesterday, asking the PUC to limit this year’s ECR decrease even more and suggesting other improvements to the methodology. All petitions that were submitted by the Oct 21 deadline will appear on this PUC webpage soon. All parties to the case, including Idaho Power and PUC Staff, now have seven days to file a Response to these petitions, if they wish. The PUC will then deliberate and make a final determination on the petitions by Nov 18.
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About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to advance state-level policies that make solar and clean energy solutions accessible to all. Since 2002, Vote Solar has worked to build a just and equitable energy future by leveraging deep policy expertise, strategic partnerships, and public engagement. In the face of powerful opposition, Vote Solar champions bold solutions that expand clean energy access, drive investment in frontline communities, and accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.
About Idaho Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, bringing people together to Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet. The Idaho Chapter of the Sierra Club carries out that mission in the gem state, building an inclusive movement for climate and ecological justice in Idaho. Our volunteer-driven campaigns advance equitable solutions for clean energy, abundant wildlife, and outdoor access across the state.