In a December 15 opinion, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) upheld the right of small power producers such as solar power facilities to sell power to their local utilities under the requirements of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA).  In a Declaratory Opinion, FERC ruled that a utility cannot require that a facilities study or interconnection agreement be obtained before the utility is required to purchase the power from the small power facility under a legally enforceable obligation.  FERC regulations require that a utility purchase any energy and capacity made available by a Qualified Facility (QF). … Read more