Connection of Customer Facilities

Net Metering

Net Metering is a way of allowing customers to self-supply a portion of or all of their annual electrical load from a customer-owned renewable energy generation system. The diagram below shows the relationship between the metering and the customer’s generator in a net metering installation.

• When a customer connects a small generator to the Utility’s system, a second kWh meter is installed and only one monthly service charge is applied for the two meters. One meter measures the energy that is supplied to the utility’s system during periods when the customer’s generator is producing more electricity than is being used by the customers load (“out” meter). The other meter measures the electricity that the utility delivers to the customer during times when the customer’s loads are using more electricity than the customer’s generator is producing (“in” meter). In calculating the monthly bill, the number of kWh supplied by the customer to the utility is subtracted from the number of kWh delivered by the utility to the customer. The customer still pays the monthly service charge, even if the resulting number of kWh is zero.
• In months when the energy produced by the customer exceeds the customer’s energy consumption, the extra kilowatt hours are credited to the customer’s account for possible future use. However, the credits do not accumulate indefinitely. On October 31 of each year, or such other date as may be provided for under the Renewable Energy Act, any outstanding credits from the preceding calendar year will expire.
• Net Metering service is available to all MECL customers who are served from the distribution system and are billed under one of the metered service rates, and who install a renewable energy generator of less than 100 kW capacity, which meets the requirements of the Renewable Energy Act. For an account to be eligible for Net Metering service, the customer’s renewable energy generator must be connected on the customer’s side of the meter. Net Metering is not applicable for un-metered services.
• To make application, the customer must provide a written request to take the net metering service. The Renewable Energy Act refers to a “net-metering system agreement” that the customer is to fill out as being the mechanism (i.e. the application form) by which the customer requests the utility to enter into a net-metering arrangement and submit to the utility, along with drawings and other information regarding the customer’s renewable energy generation facility.
• Customers considering a renewable energy generation facility should consult the Renewable Energy Act and Regulations. Responsibilities in setting up a Net Metering arrangement are as follows:
• The Utility shall; 
  1. Within 30 days of receiving an application inspect the customer’s renewable energy generation facility to determine if it meets the requirements of the Renewable Energy Act.
  2. Within 70 days of receiving an application enter into a net-metering system agreement with the customer if the customer’s renewable energy generation facility meets the requirements of the Renewable Energy Act. The utility shall sign the net-metering system agreement submitted by the customer and return a copy to the customer.
  3. Within 30 days of entering (signing) into a net-metering system agreement install the appropriate meter(s) and make changes to the customer’s electricity account to put the net-metering system agreement into effect.
• The Customer shall;
  1. Submit to the utility the completed application forms and other material as outlined in the Renewable Energy Act.
  2. Be responsible for the cost of any changes (other than metering) the utility makes to its electric system in order to accommodate the parallel operation of the customer’s renewable energy generation facility. Examples of such changes are installation of larger service conductors or distribution transformers to serve the customer’s premises or provision of a three phase supply to the customer’s premises where the existing supply is single phase.
  3. Install a lockable disconnect switch acceptable to the utility that can be used by utility personnel to isolate the customer’s renewable energy generation facility from the utility’s electric system.
  4. Equip their renewable energy generation facility with under/over frequency and under/over voltage tripping devices which will isolate the customer’s renewable energy generation facility from the utility’s electric system if the frequency or voltage on the utility’s electric system deviates beyond pre-set limits.
  5. Install their renewable energy generation facility in accordance with the latest edition of the Canadian Electrical Code and obtain the approval of the PEI Electrical Inspector for their renewable energy generation facility.
  6. Obtain liability insurance as described in the net-metering system agreement and provide a copy of the policy to the utility.
      

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