As an SCE customer, you or your business may want to generate your own power to supplement the electricity you purchase from SCE. "Self-generation," also called "distributed generation," can serve various purposes that include:
- "Back-up" or emergency generation designed to be used during utility power outages
- "Cogeneration," or combined heat and power applications, used by customers that have consistently high need for steam or another form of thermal energy
- Generation to be used during "peak demand," when it may be less costly to operate a generator than to buy power from SCE
- "Environmentally friendly" generation used by customers who want to reduce pollution
- Generation to be used to improve reliability or power quality when operational needs exceed the level of service that SCE can provide. Note: Self-generation does not include "merchant generation" intended for sale in California's wholesale electricity market. See Merchant Generators below.
If You Choose to Generate Your Own Power
Customers connecting generating systems, using non-certified or non- pre-approved generating equipment for SCE grid connection, must follow the Application and Interconnection Procedures outlined in Rule 21 — Generating Facility Interconnections (PDF).
For customers connecting small solar or wind-powered generating systems using pre-certified or pre-approved generating equipment for SCE grid connection, may now complete the Net Metering Application Process using our new convenient On-Line Net Metering Application process below. Here are frequently asked questions about SCE's Net Energy Metering Program. Here is a review of the Net Energy Metering application and interconnection agreement (PDF).
Safety Note: Before connecting a generating systems to the electric grid, you must receive SCE's authorization to interconnect, and your generating installation must meet all local, state, and federal codes and regulations.
Net Metering Application Options
- NEM Interconnection Checklist for Solar & Wind Facilities
- Simplified One-Page NEM Interconnection Application for new solar or wind facilities up to 10 kW using CEC-certified equipment, point of connection below the main circuit breaker (load-side tap) and no back-up generation.
- 14-Page Generating Facility Interconnection Application (GFIA) for new solar or wind facilities over 10 kW, expansions of any size, projects using non CEC-certified equipment, point of connection above the main circuit breaker, back-up generation, or fuel cell facilities.
- Sample mark-up of 14-page GFIA for NEM Interconnection
- Sample Single Line Diagram & Plot Plan
- NEM Interconnection Agreement for Solar & Wind Facilities
For additional information regarding Customer Generation, please contact customer.generation@sce.com.
You may also visit these links for more information:
- Consumer Energy Center (eligible equipment and ratings)
- California Solar Initiative (handbook)
- CSI Handbook and Forms
SCE's Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
If your business is an SCE customer with a demand of 30 kilowatts (kW) or more, you can receive a cash incentive from 60 cents to $4.50 per watt for installing your own, qualifying electricity generating equipment under SCE's Self Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).
The California Energy Commission's Renewable Energy Buydown Program provides similar incentives for renewable self-generation units under 30 kW.
Here, you will find important new information about changes in the rules and regulations for the SGIP program.
Merchant Generators
Self-generation does not include "merchant generation" intended for sale in California's wholesale electricity market. To connect a merchant generating facility to SCE's electric grid, please review the Transmission Owner Tariff (PDF) for interconnection at 220 kilovolts (kV) or above, or the Wholesale Distribution Access (PDF) Tariff for lower voltages. For additional information regarding the interconnection of your generation facility to the transmission grid, please send your questions in an email with the word "Question" typed into the subject line to InterconnectionQA@sce.com. We will make every effort to promptly reply to your email with a phone call or an email.
