Updated January 29, 2007
For additional information regarding SCE’s Net Energy Metering Program, please contact Laura Rudison, NEM Project Manager by calling (626) 302-9680
or via email at LauraDiane.Rudison@SCE.com.
Questions
(Please click within question text to be directed to answers.)
- What is Net Energy Metering?
- How does NEM work?
- What are the NEM eligibility requirements?
- What type of metering is required and do I have to pay for it?
- What is the definition of small business customer vs. large?
- How does a customer apply for Net Energy Metering (NEM)?
- Who do I contact for an NEM Application and Interconnect Agreement or NEM questions?
- Who do I contact for general questions about Net Metering, about my NEM Billing, or about Late Notices as a Net Metering customer?
- What is the Self Generation Incentive Program?
- Does SCE pay me money for excess energy I produce?
- What happens to my kWh energy credits at the end of my 12-Month Relevant Period?
- I was approved to interconnect, but it took a while before I started receiving kWh credits. Why?
- A new party has moved to a residence with a solar system. Do they need to apply for NEM?
- I installed a solar system, why is my bill so high?
Q1. What is Net Energy Metering?
Answer: Net Energy Metering (NEM) is a program designed to benefit Southern California Edison (SCE) customers who generate their own electricity. To qualify, an eligible SCE customer must produce energy from an electric generating system using solar, wind, biogas, or fuel cell technology, or a hybrid generating system.
Note: Net Energy Metering does not allow you to sell power back to SCE or into California's wholesale electricity market. If you plan to participate in the market, see Merchant Generators.
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Q2. How does NEM work?
Answer: The NEM program uses a bi-directional meter to measure and/or track the "net" difference between the amount of electricity you produce and the amount of electricity you consume during each billing period. This can be accomplished on a cumulative basis or on a time-of-use basis, depending upon your rate schedule.
At the end of each billing period, you may receive a credit for any energy you have generated that is in excess of the energy you have consumed. If your energy consumption is greater than your energy produced you will be billed for the net difference. You will be billed for certain other applicable charges whether or not you are a Net Energy Metering customer.
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Q3. What are the NEM eligibility requirements?
Answer: This program is currently available to most residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural and water pumping customers who receive electrical service directly from SCE.
You must install and interconnect an eligible generating system.
Your electric generating system must be powered by solar, wind, biogas, or fuel cell technology, or a hybrid generating system, and must not exceed 1,000 kilowatts (1 MW) in total nameplate rated capacity [A/C].
You must have a bi-directional meter, one that measures electricity flow in two directions, and with certain net metering programs, such as Pay for Performance, you may be required to have an interval data recording (IDR) meter. If you do not have the required meter, you may be responsible for the purchase and installation costs of the appropriate meter.
The generating system must be located on your premises and be interconnected to SCE's electrical system.
You must complete all required documentation (application, contract, building permits, etc.) and receive written approval from SCE before interconnecting your generating system to SCE's electrical grid.
Direct Access Customers: Customers who procure power from another provider must contact their Electric Services Provider (ESP) to confirm their ESP will support the NEM program. The ESP must provide notice of eligibility in writing to SCE. If the ESP does not support NEM, SCE's Direct Access Support Team will explain additional customer options. You can reach the support team by calling (800) 799-4723.
Other eligibility requirements: Net Metering is not applicable to other energy programs described as “not eligible for the Net Metering Program.”
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Q4. What type of metering is required and do I have to pay for it?
Answer: Customers on a time-of-use rate (GS-2 or PA-2 and greater demand rates), Direct Access, or who participate in certain net metering programs, such as Pay for Performance, will require an interval data recording (IDR) meter. Other customers may require cumulative bi-directional meters.
If the service account does not have a compatible meter, SCE may* charge the customer to install or reprogram their meter.
*SCE's metering changes are currently applicable only to Direct Access customers.
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Q5.What is the definition of small business customer vs. large?
Answer: Small business customers are customers on a GS-1 or PA-1 rate option, whose monthly maximum demand is < 20kW. Large customers are those on a GS-2 or PA-2 and higher demand rate and whose monthly maximum demand is > 20kW.
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Q6. How does a customer apply for Net Energy Metering (“NEM”)?
Answer:
NEM Overview
NEM Interconnection Agreement
Step 1: Visit one of the following links to obtain an application for NEM
Step 2: Return the two original signed copies of the NEM Interconnection Agreement and Billing Option Sheet to SCE:
Southern California Edison Company
Attn: Laura Rudison, Project Manager
Net Energy Metering Program
P.O. Box 800, GO1, QUAD 4D
Rosemead, CA 91770
Once the signed documents are received, SCE will sign the the NEM Interconnection Agreement and return one copy of the executed agreement to the customer.
Step 3: Provide a copy of the local or county Final Inspection Clearance to SCE by fax at (626) 571-4272 or (626) 302-1103, Attn: NEM Program, or by mail using the address in Step 2. Please note that fax is preferred.
Step 4: Once all documents, including the executed NEM Agreement and Final Inspection Clearance, have been reviewed by SCE, the customer will receive an Interconnection Approval Letter within three business days of approval to begin operating the generating system.
Step 5: After being authorized to interconnect to the SCE's grid, the customer begins to participate in the NEM Program on
- the next meter read date after the date of the NEM Interconnection Approval Letter, or
- the next meter read date after the installation date of the appropriate meter, if a meter change was required.
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Q7. Who do I contact for an NEM Application and Interconnect Agreement or NEM questions?
Answer: You can contact the Net Metering Project Manager, Laura Rudison by calling (626) 302-9680 or via e-mail at LauraDiane.Rudison@sce.com, or at our SCE web link:
http://www.sce.com/RebatesandSavings/GeneratingYourOwn Power/
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Q8. Who do I contact for general questions about Net Metering, about my NEM Billing, or about Late Notices as a Net Metering customer?
Answer: SCE’s Net Metering Customer Call-Centers:
|
Type |
Number |
| Residential |
(866) 701-7868 |
| Non-Residential |
(866) 701-7869 |
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Q9. What is the Self Generation Incentive Program?
Answer:
Incentive Program No. 1: If you install an eligible generating system with a Nameplate Rating of 30 kilowatts (kW) or more, you can receive a cash incentive from $1 to $4.50 per watt, from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP). For more information visit our website at: http://www.sce.com/RebatesandSavings/SelfGenerationIncentiveProgram/.
Incentive Program No. 2: If you install an eligible generating system with a Nameplate Rating less than 30 kilowatts (kW), you can receive a cash incentive of $2.80 per watt from the California Energy Commission's Renewable Energy Buydown Program. For more information visit California Energy Commission website at: http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/index.html
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Q10. Does SCE pay me money for excess energy I produce?
Answer: No. NEM customers are provided kWh energy “credits”. These credits are used to offset the energy that you consume. Additionally, these energy credits do not offset non-energy related charges like your customer charge.
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Q11. What happens to my kWh energy credits at the end of my 12-Month Relevant Period?
Answer: Upon completion of the current 12-month period (Relevant Period), an account true-up is completed and any excess kWh and associated credits are forfeited for the current period, and the next ‘new’ 12-Month Relevant Period will begin. The customer does not get paid for excess kWh and associated credits, nor do the excess kWh a
