Net Metering in Rhode Island
The net-metering provision as approved by the RI PUC limits net-metering to 2% of a utility's historical peak load with 1% reserved for projects under 1 MW. National Grid has a historical peak load of 1,932 MWs, making the 2% limit 38.64 MWs with 19.32 MWs reserved for projects under 1 MW.
As of January 6, 2012, there are 2,303 KWs under 1MW and 1,500 KWs over 1MW with net-metering service. There are 1,757 KWs under 1MW and 9,000 KWs over 1MW with net metering applications in the process of being interconnected.
Who is eligible:
Customers with solar and wind generating facilities up to 1.65 MW in aggregate capacity are eligible. Wind or solar facilities larger than 1.65 MW which are affiliated with or owned by Cities, Towns, state agencies or the Narragansett Bay Commission (NBC) may qualify under certain conditions (see rate tariff).
Who is NOT eligible:
All other generating facilities not described above are ineligible for net metering. For example, hydro power facilities, cogeneration systems, agricultural facilities, etc. are not eligible for net metering. Wind/solar generating facilities with total rated capacity over 1.65 MW would not be eligible (except for some affiliated with Cities, Towns, state agencies or NBC). Those facilities which are ineligible may be able to sell excess power to National Grid at wholesale rates if they can meet the requirements of a Qualifying Facility. Qualifying Facilities have several options on metering and billing. For a description of qualifying facilities please see the
Electric-Qualifying Facilities webpage on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's website.
What is net metering:
Solar and wind based systems are intermittent generators which only produce electricity when a source of energy is present (e.g. when the sun is shining for solar and wind blowing for wind). When a source of energy is not present the generator does not produce power and may even use electricity for power electronics. Customer loads vary over time (e.g. lights, HVAC, plug loads, etc).
How Bills are Determined
Net Import/Net Export
Net metering looks at power imported or exported over a billing period (aka billing month). Over the month your meter may run forwards or backwards at different times, and we look at the net use of power over the month - in essence just going with the previous and current meter readings to determine net import or export of power.
- Net Import Of Power Over Billing Month
If your generation system produces less power during a billing month than your facility/home uses during that billing month, you only have to pay for the net amount of power you draw from the grid. The power you generate and use on site is worth "full retail value".
For example, if your generator produces 700 kWH over a billing month, but you use 1,000 kWH in your facility/home, you will have a net import (use) of 300 kWH over the billing period. You will only have to pay energy charges on the net 300 kWH. The power you generate has a real value equivalent to the full retail value.
- Net Export Of Power Over Billing Month
If your generation system produces more power than your facility/home uses during the month over which you are billed, the value of the excess power is credited on your account.
For example, if you use 1,000 kWH in your facility/house over a month, but your generator produces 1,300 kWH, you will export a net 300 kWH to the grid. You will not have to pay any energy related charges during that month and you will be compensated for the exported power.
The credit is determined by multiplying the net export kWH times the sum of the following charges (see current tariffs for amount of each charge):
Review our rate descriptions and pricing schedules for residential customers.
Regardless of a net import or export of power during a billing period, the customer charge and demand charges are still applied and must be paid for if not covered by previous credits.
Customers eligible for Net Metering, please complete our
Schedule B
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Interconnection Information
Contact E-mail:
Distributed.Generation@us.ngrid.com
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