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Rooftop Solar
For small renewable generation systems, the member is credited for the power generated back to the grid through a “Net Billing” process.
All meters on our electric system can monitor the bidirectional flow of electricity to track when members are consuming electricity off the grid and when they are generating electricity to the grid. The two readings are used to determine their monthly billing.
The Cooperative bills the member for the energy supplied by the Cooperative and purchases the energy produced from the member back to the grid. These two values are tracked throughout each billing period according to the Cooperative’s applicable retail rate schedule, and separate rates are applied to what is billed and what is purchased.
The energy generated back to the grid by the member will be purchased by the Cooperative at the Avoided Cost Rate, which will show up on the member's bill as a credit and is the equivalent cost for the Cooperative to generate the same amount of energy. The Cooperative will sell the energy consumed off the grid by the member at the retail rate for that service type. If the credit that the member receives for that month is larger than the amount they owe for their monthly electric consumption off the grid, then that credit will roll over monthly until the member fully utilizes it.
The Energy Cooperative's primary concern is that these systems be interconnected safely in accordance with all applicable codes and regulations, without adversely affecting our electrical utility system.
Get Connected
Interconnection requirements for systems up to 25 kW are covered by the Technical Requirements for PURPA Interconnections are available online or by calling 740-344-2102. The member will be responsible for working with a third-party solar company to design and install a solar array that meets the specifications and standards set forth by the Cooperative and Buckeye Power.
The solar company, or member, will submit the solar application, application fees, and plans to the Cooperative for review prior to installation of the array for proper sizing and connections to the grid. Upon approval, the Cooperative will give formal notice to solar company for construction to begin. Upon completion of construction, the Cooperative will do inspection at meter to check connections and test for back feed scenarios and if everything passes our inspection then we will send formal notice to solar company that the member has permission to operate their solar array. Depending on the location of the property, the solar array may be subject to local/county inspection prior to the Cooperative making a visit for their own inspection.
The member must meet all the Cooperative’s membership and service requirements, in addition to those in the Technical Requirements for PURPA Interconnections.
It is the member’s responsibility to ensure that the Renewable Generating system complies with all applicable city, state and federal codes, laws and regulations, and to obtain all necessary permits.
Suppose there are any upgrades necessary regarding the members service. In that case, the member shall be responsible for paying in advance, before installation of the Renewable Generating system, the full cost of the construction of any utility facilities or other operation and maintenance expenses, which, at the sole discretion of the Cooperative and/or its power supplier, may be incurred.
Renewable Generating systems, such as Wind and PV systems, must automatically disconnect from TEC’s system when there is a TEC power outage. During a power outage, a Renewable Generating system can back-feed TEC’s power line, creating a hazardous condition. To prevent this from occurring, the Renewable Generating system shall be compliant with IEEE Std. 1547.
Installation of a visible break disconnect switch is required at the member’s expense. The switch must be lockable and located within three (3) feet from the Cooperative’s meter, and be properly labeled as “Utility Disconnect Switch”. TEC shall have the right to lock the switch in the open position if it is necessary to maintain safe electrical and/or maintenance conditions that adversely affect the cooperative system, or if there is a system emergency or other abnormal operating condition warranting disconnection.
To avoid unnecessary cost and delay, it is recommended that TEC’s approval of the final interconnection design be obtained prior to purchasing material or equipment for the project.
The Energy Cooperative has specific requirements for interconnection of Renewable Generation generating systems.
Submission of Plans
As part of the application, a plan must be submitted to TEC that contains the electric design, interconnection requirements, capacity of the system and operating characteristics. This is so TEC can review the interconnection requirements. Generators that are interconnected with the electric grid can possibly energize TEC electric equipment during an outage. To prevent this, the Renewable Generating system shall comply with IEEE Std. 1547. The member is required to install a utility-interactive grid-tied inverter system that is UL 1741 certified and IEEE Std 1547 compliant. Attach a copy of the Certificate of Compliance from UL, Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and a statement of compliance with IEEE Std 157 from the manufacturer, to the application. Approval from TEC for parallel operation with TEC electric distribution system must be obtained before operation to assure that the Renewable Generating system will not adversely affect the safety, reliability or quality of local electric service.
*Facilities less than 25 kW of capacity shall not be required to provide additional liability insurance coverage.
Cooperative Agreement for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation*
After the application has been approved, the Cooperative will send the member original copies of the “Agreement for Electric Service for Net Metering” and “Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement for up to 25 kW QFs” to be signed and returned to the Cooperative either via email or physical mail. Upon request, the Cooperative will send the member fully executed agreements for the above documents for their personal record keeping.
After the construction of the RG system is complete and the final electrical inspection from the local building codes authority has been received, the member will need to contact TEC for an interconnection approval inspection. The purpose of TEC’s inspection will be:
- To verify that the facility has been constructed as it is represented in the application and in the Interconnection Agreement.
- To verify the Renewable Generating system isolation device is in compliance with TEC’s requirements.
- To install permanent warning signs on the meter enclosure and utility disconnect switch.
After the interconnection has passed TEC’s inspection and all requirements have been satisfied, TEC will provide written authorization for the Member to commence interconnected operations. Operation of the wind or photovoltaic generation system will be subject to compliance with TEC policies and procedures located in the Technical Requirements for PURPA Interconnections. The Cooperative will remotely program the members' meter to show the consumed energy off the grid and the generated energy back to the grid on the face of the meter. If these values do not show up on the meter screen, these values are still being tracked in the Cooperatives metering system, and the member will still see the correct credits shown on the bill.
*The “Application for Interconnection” form, Agreement for Electric Service for Net Metering and Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement for up to 25 kW QFs contracts are also available at our Energy Cooperative Office locations.
If the Cooperative determines that upgrades are necessary to the member's service (e.g., transformer, service wire, protection, etc.) due to the size and/or output of the Renewable Generating facility, the member shall pay for the labor and materials for the Cooperative to upgrade these facilities prior to the installation of the Renewable Generating Facility.
There are no additional monthly fees or charges to members for having a Renewable Generating Facility.
Interest in renewable energy is growing, but installing solar panels at home can be time-consuming and expensive.
So, let your cooperative do all of the work for you!
OurSolar is a community solar program from The Energy Cooperative that allows members to subscribe to solar panels at the solar array in Utica which only impacts the Generation & Transmission rate on your electric bill.
Click here to learn more.
