Solar PV Net Metering/Renewable Generation
Florida Keys Electric Cooperatie (FKEC) offers net metering to make it easy for solar homes and businesses to draw power from the local power grid while also producing solar energy. The program also allows FKEC to incorporate more solar power into its system by buying back the surplus generated by the solar homes.
The goal of net metering is to offset all or part of a member’s energy use at the member’s metered service account. Important: Member generation shall be no larger than required to achieve yearly net zero usage. System sizing to achieve a yearly net zero usage shall be based on the average peak consumption of the three highest months experienced in the last 12 months.
FKEC reserves the right to review the Member’s annual energy production and consumption data during the annual ‘true-up’ period in January for the previous 12 months. If the Member’s total annual generation exceeds their actual annual consumption for the previous 12 months, FKEC shall require the Member to limit system export based on the past years usage and production. This ensures continuous alignment of the system’s production with FKEC’s net-zero policy. System output must be adjusted within 90 days of notification.
What is Net Metering?
Net Metering, also known as Solar Interconnection, allows FKEC members who have their own solar arrays (photovoltaic PV systems) to generate power while also being connected to the FKEC power grid. All FKEC meters are bi-directional and continuously monitor power flow into and out of the home or business. This allows FKEC to monitor and analyze all meters connected to the FKEC distribution system for power quality and power deposited on the system. When a home produces an excess of electricity, FKEC buys the power back from the member.
Net Meter members receive exactly the cost of each per-kilowatt-hour charge listed on their net meter billing statements as a credit for all excess power generated by their PV systems.
Benefits of Net Metering
- Offsets electricity costs
- Excess energy credited in $ each month
- Reduces dependence on fossil fuels
- Encourages use of renewable energy sources
Energy Efficiency is Key
Simply having a photovoltaic system installed at your home does not mean you will sell back power. Owners who are able to generate enough electricity to meet the needs of their home have gone to great lengths to make their homes highly efficient in order to consume minimal electricity.
While solar technology is advancing, energy efficiency is still the key to savings. Before installing a solar PV system, a homeowner should first make the house as energy efficient as possible.
- Procedures for Installing Solar
- Tier 1 Agreement (PDF) for systems 10KW or less
- Tier 2 Agreement (PDF) for systems greater than 10KW and less than or equal to 100KW
- Tier 3 Agreement (PDF) for systems greater than 100KW and less than or equal to 1MW
For inverter-based systems, the A/C gross power rating can be calculated by multiplying the total installed DC nameplate rating by .85 to account for the losses in converting from DC to AC.