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Home > Customers > Generators
 Thinking
of using a renewable "green" energy technology to generate your
own electricity and reduce your monthly costs? Net metering might be the
ideal solution for you.
Our Net Metering
program is available to any Hydro One customer who generates electricity
primarily for their own use from a renewable energy source (wind, water,
solar radiation or agricultural biomass) using equipment with a total
nameplate rating of 500 kW or less.
Net metering allows you to send electricity generated from Renewable
Energy Technologies (RETs) to Hydro One's distribution system for
a credit towards your electricity costs. Excess generation credits can
be carried forward for up to 12 months to offset future electricity costs.
For more information, please download the Ministry of Energy's brochure
Net
Metering in Ontario (PDF).
Please read the following to learn more about Net Metering:
NOTE: Applicants are cautioned not to incur major expenses until Hydro
One approves to connect the proposed generation facility.
For general Net Metering program information, please contact our Business
Customer Centre at 1-877-447-4412. For customers interested in
applying for the Net Metering program or existing Net Metering customers
wishing to upgrade or change to a different program, please contact Generation
Connections department at 1-866-280-7712 or at Gen.Connect@HydroOne.com
prior to submitting a completed application form (Form
B for project size greater than 10 kW and Form
C for project size less than or equal to 10 kW). Please note that
for projects greater than 10 kW and less than or equal to 500 kW, a Connection
Impact Assessment (CIA) is required. In which case, the customer must
submit payment
for the assessment and a signed study agreement along with the application.
Please contact GCD.Coordinator@HydroOne.com
for a study agreement.
NOTE: All technical submissions (Form B, single line diagrams, etc.)
for projects greater than 10 kW must be signed and sealed by a licensed
Ontario Professional Engineer (P.ENG).
What is Net metering?
Net metering measures the quantity of electricity you use against
the quantity of electricity you generate. This results in a "net"
total from which your bill is calculated.
Excess generation credits can be carried forward for up to 12 months
to offset future electricity costs. Hydro One does not pay you for any
excess generation.
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What are the benefits of Net metering?
Net metering allows you to lower your electricity costs while protecting
the environment.
Net metering means you do not need to purchase expensive batteries or
a backup generator or factor these costs into the price of installing
a renewable energy generation system.
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What type(s) of generation qualifies?
Any combination of wind, water, solar radiation or agricultural biomass
with a total nameplate rating of 500 kW or less.
If you live in an urban setting, a solar installation may work best since
wind turbines may not be permitted given space requirements and local
zoning bylaws. Wind and run-of-river water energy are options in rural
locations. If you live on a farm, you may also be able to consider agricultural
biomass. Learn more about Renewable
Energy Technologies (RETs).
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What is the average size of a residential generating
system?
Most residential generating systems produce between 1 and 4 kW of
power.
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I am retailer enrolled; can I apply for Net metering?
Yes, if you are billed by Hydro One and you have an agreement with your
Retailer that allows you to return eligible electricity to the retailer
for the purposes of being billed on a Net metering basis. Your retailer
must confirm to Hydro One the existence of such an agreement before we
will connect your generator.
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How much money will I save?
Given the size differences and other variables associated with many renewable
energy systems, it is your responsibility to determine the potential savings.
It would be impossible for us to predict how much electricity a system
will produce over a given period of time and how much the production cost
will be.
Typically, some renewable energy systems require relatively high levels
of initial financial investment to purchase and install the equipment.
In time, however, lower electricity bills can likely offset this investment.
We cannot assume any responsibility for the appropriateness or financial
viability of any renewable energy system.
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What are the steps to get connected?
Net metering is a multi-step process:
- Investigate your renewable energy options
- Determine the technical requirements and what size system will suit
your needs
- Understand the customer application process along with the Hydro One
Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) and approval process
- Understand Hydro One's role during the project execution phase, including
COVER if necessary
- Understand ESA's role (mandatory inspection and approval)
- Sign the Hydro One Net Metering Connection Agreement
immediately prior to connection.
For more information, please read our Net
Metering Brochure (PDF).
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Do I need an extra power cut-off switch?
Yes, for compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code generation
connections require the installation of an isolation switch (visible,
accessible and lockable) located between the meter and the customer's
equipment, at a location beside the meter. The installation of an isolation
switch allows utility crews to work safely on our distribution system.
For more information about switch details, please refer to Section 84
of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code or contact Electrical Safety Authority
at 1-800-498-4600.
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What is an interval meter?
An interval meter is a meter that measures and records the net electricity
you use on a time interval basis e.g. hourly. An interval meter requires
access to your phone line in order to retrieve data.
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How will my bill be calculated?
We will continue to read you meter as we do now. For bills based on actual
meter readings, the bill you see will reflect the difference between the
value of the electricity you inject to the grid and the value of electricity
you consume from the grid.
If your net consumption for a billing period is zero, or a credit, the
delivery portion of your bill will not include kilowatt-hour based charges.
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Will my billing period change?
If your generator has a nameplate rating of less than 10 kW, there will
be no change to your billing period, as long as you are not demand billed.
If you are demand billed, you will require a two-channel interval meter
and will be billed on a monthly basis.
Customers with a generator greater than 10 kW will require either a two-channel
or bi-directional interval meter and will be billed monthly. The meter
will be contacted monthly via your telephone line for retrieval of the
data.
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Are there any tax incentives?
Yes, there is a retail sales tax rebate for residential applications.
This rebate is for components, upgrades or expansions of alternative energy
systems purchased between March 28, 2003 and November 25, 2007. For more
information, call the Ministry
of Finance, Retail Sales Tax Branch at 1-800-263-7965.
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What if I want to sell Hydro One my excess generated
power?
Hydro One will purchase your electricity but you must enter into a different
connection process not covered by the Net Metering program. You must:
- Request a connection from Hydro One.
- Obtain a Generator's Licence from the Ontario Energy Board.
- Purchase and install a distribution transformer.
- Purchase and install a four-quadrant interval meter and use the services
of a meter service provider licenced by the Independent Electricity
System Operator.
- Consult with Hydro One before the proposed generation facility is
finalized.
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Can I use my own power during an outage?
If you wish to run your generator during a Hydro One power outage, your
generator must have special transfer and isolating capabilities installed
to ensure your generating facility cannot feed into the Hydro One distribution
system during this time.
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Can you recommend an equipment supplier?
We do not endorse any equipment suppliers. We suggest you contact the
following associations for more information:
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Where can I find more information on
Net metering?
For more information, please download the Ministry of Energy's brochure
Net
Metering in Ontario (PDF). You can also call the Ministry of Energy
at 1-888-668-4636 or visit their website at www.energy.gov.on.ca.
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