BCPPD is currently not accepting any new Net Metering at this time. Please see our other interconnection options.
Under BCPPD Net Metering, a customer will get credited retail price for any excess generation that is pushed back onto the system, up to the customer’s usage for that month. Any additional electricity that is pushed onto the system will be credited at BCPPD’s avoided cost.
Net Billing
Under BCPPD Net Billing, all the customer’s excess generation will be credited to their account at BCPPD’s avoided cost.
The Technical Picture
The generation resource generates electricity and the energy flow toward the meter, but must go through an “inverter” first. The inverter ensures that the energy flows in the form (AC-alternating current) that is used in the home. If there is no demand for energy at the residence or the demand is lower than the generation the energy then flows to the distribution system. It moves through the transformer on the customer’s utility service, which will “step up” the energy to match the voltage in the distribution system. This same transformer “steps-down” the energy when it flows from the distribution system to the residence.
Safety Features
As required by LB 436, renewable generation facilities are required to have Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved equipment that does not allow a system to deliver or backfeed energy into the distribution system if there is no energy flow in the distribution system – the line is dead. In other words, in order to function the generation facility needs to be “excited” by energy in the distribution line.
Some utilities will, as part of their interconnection standards, require the installation of a disconnect switch with viewable lockable features. This is similar to the disconnect box on the outside of the home with an air conditioner or heat pump. For a small renewable facility, a disconnect switch can be purchased for approximately $40 at a building supply store. Utilities have the right to open and lock out the generator with the disconnect switch.
To ensure that everything is operating as it should, LB 436 requires a safety inspection before a system will be allowed to interconnect.
To ensure linemen safety, utility policies require treating all lines as live unless properly tested and grounded. This procedure will always be necessary as the final safety step. All things man-made are subject to failure. Everyone should approach power lines as live and wait until proper utility personnel verify a line’s status.
Metering
In the initial description of net metering, an example was used to illustrate what net metering is. Simple, the meter runs backwards when the customer-generator generates more energy than is used. A single meter is the simple way to meter a customer-generator, but it is not the only way. Two meters may be used, one to measure total energy used, one to measure energy generated. Simple math comes up with the net. A “smart metering system” can be used that uses the power line or internet service to deliver use and generation information as well as providing other services to the customer. It is important to note that if a single meter is used for billing, a second meter recording just the output of the generation facility is necessary to meet the reporting requirements of LB 436. LB 436 leaves the type of metering up to the distribution utility as long as the information is easily read by the consumer.
For more information, view our Net Metering Policy, Annual Report, and Frequently Asked Questions.
LB 436 as Amended by AM 708 Summary – Reported by NREA
- 25kw mandated capacity allows for a utility to permit larger systems
- Customer-generator pays interconnection costs
- Utility pays for metering system
- Allow flexible language for the system to determine what kind of meter to use. One meter, two meter, smart meter, etc.
- System cap of one percent average aggregate peak demand.
- Safety and Interconnection Standard language
- Utility maintains their interconnection standards.
- State inspection prior to interconnection and operation.
- Credit for excess generation is a monetary value based on the value of the energy when it was generated – avoided cost of power supply
- Monetary credit carries over month to month through annual period-paid out at the end of the annual period
- Not a kilowatt hour credit