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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). Information on connecting micro generation (up
to 10 kW) to Hydro One's system is available here.
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 customers interested in applying for the Net Metering program or existing
Net Metering customers wishing to upgrade or change to a different program or in need of a study agreement, please contact our Business Customer Centre at 1-877-447-4412 or dxgenerationconnections@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.
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.
back
to top 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.
back to top 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).
back to
top What is the average size of a residential generating
system?
Most residential generating systems produce between 1 and 4 kW
of power. back to top 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. back
to top 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. back
to top 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).
back to top 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. back
to top 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. back to top 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.
back
to top 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. back to top Are
there any tax incentives?
The Ontario government currently offers rebates of the provincial retail sales tax on the purchase of residential solar, wind, micro-hydroelectric or geothermal energy systems, or on any expansions or upgrades to existing systems installed in residential premises until January 1, 2010. For detailed information or to claim the sales tax rebate, contact the Ministry of Revenue at 1-866-668-8297 or visit their website at www.rev.gov.on.ca/english/refund/windgeo/.
back
to top 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.
back
to top 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. back to top Can
you recommend an equipment supplier?
We do not endorse any equipment suppliers.
We suggest you contact the following associations for more information:
back
to top 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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