Choptank Electric Cooperative - Member Information

Find Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter

Net Metering

Net Metering Application and Interconnection F.A.Q.s

    Wind Turbine

  1. What is net (energy) metering?
    Net (energy) metering (NEM) is a crediting process which allows cooperative members who have installed qualified renewable energy generation systems (REGS) to receive credit for any electrical energy they export to the power grid. While NEM is a billing process, there is also a generation interconnect process, which will be discussed later.

  2. What renewable energy generation systems are qualified?
    Solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell, closed conduit hydro, or micro combined heat and power (CHP) up to 30 KW capacity. Biomass has a complicated definition, but basically is non-hazardous renewable organic waste byproducts from agriculture, animal and forest industries or vegetation harvested specifically for biomass energy conversion. See Public Utilities Article, Maryland Code Annotated, §7-701.

  3. Who is eligible for net metering?
    Any cooperative member who owns or operates, leases and operates or has contracted with a third party to own or operate a qualified renewable energy generation system which is located on the member's premises or contiguous property.

  4. Are there any charges involved in participating in net metering?
    There are no charges for participating in net metering itself. Depending on the size and type of the REGS, there may be charges involved in installing or upgrading necessary equipment to facilitate the interconnect of the generation itself. The estimated cost for the equipment is determined as part of the generation interconnect process. See "What is Choptank's process for approving net metering?" below.

  5. How does net metering affect my bill?
    Most bills will show two readings: KWH1 for the energy consumed; KWH2 for excess energy generated back into the power grid. Each month, any energy shown in the KWH2 block will be subtracted from the energy shown in the KWH1 block, the difference being used to calculate the Distribution and Supplier energy charges for the month. If the energy shown in KWH2 (excess generation) block is greater than that shown in the KWH1 (consumption) block, you will be billed for zero energy (KWH) usage and the difference will be shown in a line below the bar graph box labeled "banked generation."

    Sample bill showing Consumption greater than Generation (PDF Document 80 KB)

    Sample bill showing Generation greater than Consumption (PDF Document 77 KB)

    This "banked" energy will be carried over to the next month's bill and netted against consumption in that month. If there is still excess energy remaining or generated in the follow on month, it again will be "banked" for another month and so forth until it is consumed or until the "April payout" occurs. Monthly payout of "banked generation" is also an option. See "Can I be paid for my excess energy monthly", below.

  6. What is the "April payout?"
    Any "banked" energy remaining on your bill in April will be cashed out and either credited to your bill in a dollar amount or forwarded to you by check. If you have another account with Choptank, you may request the dollar amount be transferred to that account to offset charges there.

  7. What is the cash (purchase) value of the energy in the April payout?
    The value of the "banked" energy effectively purchased by the cooperative in the April payout is the Generation rate of the Supplier Charge for the rate class under which the REGS is served.

  8. Can I be paid for my excess energy monthly?
    Yes. Members of cooperatives with less than 250,000 members have the option to elect monthly payout of excess generation. The value of the energy is the Generation rate of the Supplier Charge for the rate class under which the REGS is served. This is in contrast to the "banked generation" energy carryover from month to month (until April) which has a value equal to the "retail" rate for the rate class under which the REGS is served. The banked generation presumably would offset energy consumption in subsequent months, therefore it would have "retail" value. If a member expects to have excess generation on an annual basis, then the value of the energy is the same whether paid monthly or during the April payout.

    Therefore a member may wish to be paid monthly. Members requesting monthly payout usually have the dollar value credited directly to their bill to offset charges not affected by NEM. See "Can I get to a point where I don't have to pay an electric bill?" below.

  9. Why can't I keep rolling my "banked generation" remaining in April over to follow on months?
    Maryland Law requires utilities to pay members for any excess generation remaining on April's billing cycle.

  10. Can I get to a point where I don't have to pay an electric bill?
    Possibly, but the economics to achieve this may not be favorable. NEM only affects the energy (KWH) components of an electric bill. Some rate classes have charges such as demand (KW) and reactive energy (RKVAH) that aren't affected by NEM. There are also the fixed monthly consumer charge, taxes and surcharges. A member can install a larger sized system than needed to offset expected annual energy needs (up to 200% baseline usage) and sell the excess energy to Choptank; however, the value of that energy is the Generation rate, not the retail value.

  11. Do I read my own meter?
    No. Choptank will read your meter for you at no charge. You can still read it for your own curiosity, but you will not have to turn readings into the co-op for billing purposes.

  12. What will the meter display?
    For most members the meter will display two numbers: Register 1 will display the energy consumed; Register 2 will display the excess energy generated back into the grid. For members' on demand or reactive energy rates the meter will display other numbers as well. The cooperative can help you determine what the numbers represent.

  13. Will Register 2 (excess generation) on Choptank's meter match the renewable energy generator power output as indicated on its control?
    No. The control on the renewable energy generator indicates the energy output from the REGS. Choptank's meter registers only the excess generated energy delivered to the power grid. This excess energy is the net difference between what the REGS generated and what was consumed on site before being sent to the power grid.

  14. How large of a REGS can I install?
    Maryland law limits the size to 2 MW (2000 KW). Additionally it can only be sized to generate up to 200% of the site's "baseline annual usage".

  15. What is baseline annual usage?
    The amount of energy consumed in the preceding 12 months before the REGS was installed. If there is not 12 months of usage history, the cooperative will estimate a baseline usage based on similarly sized accounts.

  16. What is Choptank's process for approving net metering?
    The member needs to file a generation interconnect request application with the cooperative. The application has a block to check indicating the intended use of the interconnect, e.g. net metering. There are four levels of application depending on the size and complexity of the REGS. For most members a Level 1 or 2 application will be sufficient. Link to the applications can be found below, or they can be mailed or emailed upon request. Level 1 is for "lab certified" systems 10 KW and below. Level 2 applications are for "lab certified" systems larger than 10 KW. REGS not meeting Levels 1 or 2 criteria become Level 4 applications. Generally the REGS vendor/installer will process the application for the member.

    (See the bottom of this page for links to applications.)

    Assuming there are no problems with the interconnect application itself, the size or technical feasibility of the REGS, the cooperative will give tentative approval to install a REGS. For Levels 2 and 4 applications, there is an additional document to be signed called the Interconnect Agreement (IA). The IA lists additional operating requirements specific to the applicant's REGS. It provides system upgrade cost estimates and completion time estimates for those upgrades and is sent after the interconnect application has been determined to be complete.

    Members may need to stay in contact with the Cooperative throughout the process to resolve issues that may arise.

    Upon completion of the REGS, the member or vendor/installer on his behalf, will forward a signed Certificate of Completion (part of the interconnect application) and electrical inspection (managed by the county in which the REGS is being built and usually handled by the electrical contractor) for the installation to the cooperative. The cooperative may wish to conduct a witness test to verify the safety and protective controls are functioning properly before giving final approval to operate the REGS.

  17. How long does the application process take?
    It varies depending on the size and complexity of the system. For Level 1 applications tentative approval is usually given within a few days. Final approval after the Certificate of Completion is returned is usually about a week. Level 2 and 4 applications can take several weeks at each end depending on the thoroughness of the application and any technical difficulties that arise. The larger and more complex the system the more likely technical issues will arise delaying the process.

  18. What does "lab certified" mean?
    The REGS equipment (typically DC to AC inverters for photovoltaic systems) has been certified by an independent testing laboratory to meet certain UL and IEEE standards. The specifications for REGS equipment usually indicate the standards to which they have been built or comply. Lab certified equipment helps speed the application process. Choptank's primary concern is that the REGS will immediately cease interconnect with Choptank's system during power outages or interruptions. The REGS cannot interfere with the delivery of power to other members or cause damage to the cooperative's system.

  19. Is there an interconnect application fee?
    For Level 1 applications, no. For Level 2, it is $50 + $1/KW. For Level 4, it is $100 + $2/KW.

  20. Do I need to contact Choptank before filing an interconnect application?
    No, but it is recommended, particularly on larger systems above 50 KW. Technical implications come into play the larger systems become which may change the economic feasibility of the project. Interconnect applicants will be required to pay for system upgrades needed for capacity or voltage regulation issues that arise as a consequence of the REGS interconnect.

  21. What is aggregated net metering (ANM)?
    Aggregated net metering allows excess energy from the REGS (host) meter to be applied virtually to other meters through the cooperative's billing system.

  22. Who is eligible for ANM?
    Member accounts serving 1) agriculture, 2) municipal government, or 3) non-profit organizations. The accounts need to be under the same name or entity.

  23. Do all the aggregated meters need to be on the same premises or contiguous property to be eligible?
    No, only the REGS (host) meter. However, meters/services that are close enough to be physically aggregated (usually within 800 feet of one another) will need to be physically aggregated, that is, combined together behind one meter for aggregation. Only meters that are too far apart to be physically aggregated will be virtually aggregated.

  24. How is the excess energy applied from the host meter to other meters?
    Members participating in ANM will need to provide the cooperative with a list of meters to which the excess energy will be applied in sequential order (waterfall list), the host meter being the first. The list can only be changed once per year. There is no limit to the number of meters under one entity that can be aggregated.

  25. What happens if there is still excess generation left after cascading through the waterfall list?
    The energy will become "banked generation" on the host meter and be used to offset energy consumption in subsequent months to meters on the waterfall list. Any excess energy remaining on the host meter in April will be cashed out at the host meter's Generation rate.

  26. I have an experimental time-of-use (TOU) meter, can I participate in NEM?
    At present, Choptanks billing system cannot process TOU rates for NEM. You can still participate in NEM, however, your rate will need to revert back to a non-TOU rate.

  27. What are RECs or SRECs?
    The (Solar) Renewable Energy Credits or Certificate is a certification process by which a government entity certifies that a particular REGS generated a certain amount of energy. The RECs become a tradable commodity with market value similar to a stock certificate. Many states require utilities to obtain a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources. In lieu of building their own renewable generation, utilities may purchase RECs. Also, some individuals or organizations want to participate in renewable energy sources but can't do so directly for various reasons. By purchasing RECs these individuals or organizations can participate indirectly helping to finance REGS elsewhere.

  28. Who certifies RECs in Maryland?
    The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). REGS applicants need to register their systems with the PSC which is done on-line through their website. Part of the application process will require a signed Certificate of Completion from Choptank. See "What is Choptank's process for approving net metering?" above. This is the only aspect of RECs in which Choptank is involved.

  29. Does Choptank purchase RECs?
    Not at this time.

  30. What law or regulations cover net energy metering?
    Net metering law can be found in the Public Utilities Article, Maryland Code Annotated, §7-306. The regulations governing the law as overseen by the PSC can be found in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 20, subtitle 50, chapter 10. Generation interconnect regulations can be found in COMAR Title 20, subtitle 50, chapter 09.

  31. Who do I need to contact at the co-op?
    Call the Choptank Customer Service Center, 1-877-892-0001 and tell the customer service representative you need a net meter installation and they will transfer you to the appropriate co-op staff person.

Net Metering Requirements

Solar Panel Array

Interconnected generating equipment utilizing inverters must be compliant with IEEE 1547 and UL 1741. All interconnected generating equipment must automatically and immediately cease interconnection with Choptank upon and during power interruption or outage.

By signing the application, the member certifies that the installed generating equipment meets the preceding requirements and any other electrical/building code requirements by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. If installation of generating equipment requires electric service disconnect, an electrical inspection will be required prior to service being restored.

Net Metering Tariff (PDF Document 23 KB)

Net Metering Aggregation Rider (PDF Document 47 KB)

Level One Interconnection Application (PDF Document 238 KB)

Level Two through Level Four Interconnection Application (PDF Document 202 KB)

