Renewable Energy- Net Metering
Coos-Curry Electric's Net Metering Program allows you to produce clean, renewable power at your home or business and interconnect your solar or other renewable power generators to our grid.
Net Metering Overview
Net metering is the process used by Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative (CCEC) to administer the buying and selling of energy for members who have distributed generation at their location. Our program is designed to encourage members to invest in renewable technology and use an onsite power plant to offset the energy they may need from the grid.
During each billing period, CCEC will supply energy from the grid when a net metered location is using more power than their onsite generation can provide. When the onsite generation is producing more energy than is needed the excess is sent back to the power grid. Each billing period the energy sent back is subtracted from the energy supplied by CCEC and the member is only charged the difference.
CCEC offers net metering to members who own and operate a distributed generation facility subject to:
- The use of solar, wind, fuel cell, hydroelectric, or other approved renewable resources to generate electricity.
- The nameplate (DC) generating capacity up to twenty-five kilowatts (25kW).
- The distributed generation facility is located on the member's premises.
- The distributed generation facility will operate in parallel with CCEC's existing transmission and distribution system.
- The distributed generation facility is intended to primarily offset part or all of the member's own electrical requirements.
Prior to commissioning a distributed generation facility the member must complete and sign a Net Metering Agreement/Contract with CCEC. The contract covers the specific terms, agreements, and requirements such as: safety, insurance, ownership, responsibilities, charges, and power quality. The member may also be responsible for costs associated with engineering and/or construction that is necessary for connecting and operative a distributed generation facility.
What is the Process?
- Review CCEC's Net Metering Information Booklet. Please contact Zane Adams at zane.adams@cooscurryelectric.com or call CCEC, if you have any questions.
- Prior to the installation of any facilities or equipment, submit an application to CCEC for review and approval. The Net Metering Information Booklet contains a copy of the application.
- After the application has been approved, the member can install their facilities and equipment.
- Member will have facilities and equipment inspected and approved by authorized electrical inspectors confirming it meets all applicable Oregon codes.
- After the equipment and facilities have been inspected and approved by the electrical inspector, contact CCEC to schedule a site visit and facility audit. The site visit will include a simulated outage to ensure that the member's equipment will not back feed onto the grid during an outage.
- Once the site visit is completed, CCEC will prepare an interconnection contract/agreement that will be signed by both the CCEC Engineering Manager and the member.