

Customer Generation

Customer Generation


Safety First


Equipment that operates (or is capable of operating) while electrically connected to (or parallel to) the OPPD system must meet stringent OPPD requirements, including an OPPD application and review process, and execution of written operating agreements. These steps are critical to help ensure your safety and the safety of OPPD employees. 

Economics of Customer Generation

The first step is to calculate how much electricity you use, on average by month during a year. How to Read Your Bill shows where to find the kilowatt-hours used on your OPPD bill statements. Once you decide how much of that energy you wish to generate yourself, you can determine the size of equipment to purchase.


The capacity factor for solar panels is approximately 12 to 18 percent, and is only available during daylight hours. Since wind is intermittent, it also produces power only part of the day. OPPD's wind turbine in Valley has about a 23 percent capacity factor.

Another thing to consider is the cost of money used to buy your generating equipment. If you take out a loan, the cost of money is the interest paid to the lender, discounted for present value. If you withdraw money from a bank account, the cost of money is the amount of interest, dividends and other gains the money would have earned.

Steps to Generating Power




4. Final inspection. OPPD requires a final inspection and "witness test" of the installation. Other entities may require inspections, as well. After passing the inspections, you can begin generating power in parallel with the OPPD system.

You may qualify for Rate 483 - Net Metering Service Rider.

