By Celeste Wanner

Energy customers in Louisiana can now buy more solar energy thanks to new and updated green tariff programs recently approved for Entergy Louisiana by the Louisiana Public Service Commission. The utility can now add 3,000 megawatts (MW) of solar resources through three green tariff programs, the largest expansion of renewable energy for both the utility and the state, tripling the existing operating and previously approved solar capacity.

Entergy Louisiana initially requested approval forcertification of up to 3,000 MW of solar resources, as well as a new renewable tariff called Geaux ZERO designed for large industrial customers and an alternative market-based mechanism to procure solar resources. CEBA was brought in as an expert witness by the Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA), and CEBA’s Priya Barua gave expert testimony in fall 2023, providing recommendations to improve the proposed Geaux ZERO program by making it accessible to more customers in the state.

CEBA advocated for lowering the minimum subscription level for Geaux ZERO from 100 MW to 50 MW and allocating a portion of the 3,000 MW solar portfolio to Entergy Louisiana’s existing Geaux Green program, which is open to commercial and industrial customers of all sizes and had an outstanding waitlist. In addition, CEBA supported eligibility for specific industrial rate schedules that were initially excluded from participating in Geaux ZERO. The final settlement agreement included multiple changes to Entergy’s initial Geaux ZERO proposal, including a new tariff for corporate and industrial customers: Geaux Green Limited (or Rider GGL), and allocation of up to 1,000 MW of solar resources to be split between the utility’s existing Geaux Green program (Rider GGO) and Rider GGL. In line with CEBA’s recommendations around the value of expanding accessibility to more customers, the subscription cap on the existing Rider GGO was raised to allow more customers to better meet their clean energy needs. Customers who are currently subscribed to Rider GGO or on the waitlist for the previous maximum of 50 MW can now request additional capacity up to 100 MW.  

Highlights of the three green tariff programs:

• Geaux Green (Rider GGO)

At least 500 MW of solar will be added to the existing Geaux Green program, on top of 700 MW of solar previously approved for the program and another 100 MW pending approval. Rider GGO is open to all customers, including commercial, industrial, and residential customers. Subscriptions are filled on a first come, first served basis, and Entergy Louisiana has an ongoing waitlist for the program. Customers can subscribe to one year, auto-renewing terms. The existing Geaux Green waitlist as of June 2024 will be filled before solar resources are allocated to Geaux Green Limited.

• Geaux Green Limited (Rider GGL)

Up to 500 MW of solar will be dedicated to the new Geaux Green Limited program. Rider GGL is open to nonresidential customers across commercial and industrial rate classes and will have a dedicated set of solar resources, and therefore a different subscription price, than Rider GGO. Rider GGL will use a pro-rata subscription allocation based on the number of customers who request a subscription and will have a one year auto-renewing term.

• Geaux ZERO (Rider GZ)

Entergy’s new Geaux ZERO tariff will have up to 2,000 MW of solar available and is open to large industrial customers who subscribe to at least 100 MW of solar resources. Geaux ZERO requires a longer-term commitment than Riders GGO and GGL, with terms of 10, 15, or 20 years. Up to 1,000 MW was reserved for customers who signed contracts before the end of 2023. If Geaux ZERO is not fully subscribed after two years, the remaining solar capacity will be made available through Rider GGO.

Customers can currently sign up for the Geaux Green waitlist, while enrollment for Geaux Green Limited and Geaux ZERO will be available at a future date after Entergy Louisiana has procured resources to supply the tariffs. You can find additional information on Entergy Louisiana’s website or by contacting an Entergy account manager.