I 
114TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3852 
To direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on the benefits of 
solar net energy metering, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 28, 2015 
Mr. HIGGINS (for himself and Mr. HANNA) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on 
the benefits of solar net energy metering, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STUDY AND REPORT ON BENEFITS OF SOLAR 
NET ENERGY METERING. 
(a) STUDY AND REPORT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy 
shall conduct a study on solar net energy metering. 
The study shall include an analysis of any benefits 
that may result from implementing solar net energy 
metering, including any resulting— 
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(A) reduction in demand on the grid dur-
ing peak hours; 
(B) increased grid security through local-
ized grid support; 
(C) creation of jobs related to solar energy, 
including jobs in production, construction, and 
installation, increasing the tax base for State 
and local governments; 
(D) avoidance of energy-related expendi-
tures by electric consumers that enables such 
electric consumers to increase discretionary 
spending and stimulate local economies; 
(E) reduction in air pollution and associ-
ated health risks; 
(F) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions 
and associated climate change impacts; 
(G) assistance to electric utilities in meet-
ing applicable renewable portfolio standards; 
(H) reduction in water usage as compared 
to the amount of water used in fossil-fuel-based 
electricity production; 
(I) reduction in electricity cost for electric 
consumers as a result of reduced demand for 
centrally supplied electricity; 
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(J) avoided cost in energy generation, de-
ferred capacity, and grid support services to 
electric utilities by or on behalf of an electric 
consumer; 
(K) avoided cost to electric utilities for fuel 
price hedging otherwise needed to guarantee 
that a portion of electricity supply costs are 
fixed; and 
(L) increase in the availability of private 
capital to individuals generating electricity 
through use of solar power based on the stable 
assumptions solar net energy metering provides 
for financial institutions. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than one year after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of En-
ergy shall submit to Congress a report containing 
the results of the study required to be conducted 
under paragraph (1). 
(b) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this Act: 
(1) ELIGIBLE SOLAR GENERATING FACILITY.— 
The term ‘‘eligible solar generating facility’’ means 
a facility that produces electric energy solely by the 
use, as a primary energy source, of solar energy. 
(2) PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCE.—The term ‘‘pri-
mary energy source’’ has the meaning given such 
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