When installing solar in Florida Keys Electric Cooperative (FKEC) service area, from Ocean Reef to the Seven Mile Bridge, start by reviewing FKEC’s Standards of Service for Net Metering and Battery Storage system guidelines to help you achieve a system that best suits your needs.
FKEC supports and encourages our members’ use of solar and battery systems. For those who install these systems, FKEC’s approval of Solar and Energy Storage installations is contingent upon the design parameters meeting specific criteria.
- System components must meet national ANSI and IEEE standards applicable to distributed energy storage systems.
- System design must comply with FKEC’s Standards of Electrical Service and applicable Tier agreement.
- System design must meet the current NESC and NEC requirements.
- Member generation size 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 3 highest months experienced in the last 12 months.
- System maximum design shall not exceed 90% of service size. Additional fees may be incurred if service or transformer upgrade is required.
- Member-owned generating facilities between 25 kWAC and 50 kWAC may require, at FKEC’s discretion, a dedicated a dedicated three-phase 120/208V or 277/480 Wye grounded transformer. FKEC will specify any winding connections, grounding, or other requirements based on the specific customer site location and generating system. Open delta transformers will only be connected as a single phase and only supply power to the lighting transformer. This will be at the member’s expense.
- Member generating facilities greater than 50 kWAC will require a dedicated three-phase 120/208V or 277/480 Wye grounded transformer. FKEC will specify any winding connections, grounding, or other requirements based on the specific customer site location and generating system. Open delta transformers will only be connected as a single phase and only supply power to the lighting transformer. This will be at the member’s expense.
- Independent energy storage systems or stored energy systems associated with a PV system can export energy to FKEC’s distribution system. The member must provide documentation that the stored energy design cannot export energy to FKEC’s distribution system.
Note: Members are required to notify FKEC of battery systems installed without a renewable generation system and designed to charge from the grid. If a member does not intend to export power to the electrical grid, an interconnection agreement is not required if the battery is not part of solar system. Submit designs with battery backup only by email to Engineering. The plans will be reviewed for compliance with the FKEC’s standards and returned with a stamp approved for construction from the utility if all standards are met.
Next, complete the following 4 steps.
Step 1
Complete: Phase 1 of the Net Metering Application
This form includes downloading and submitting the appropriate Net Metering Tier Agreement:
- Tier I Agreement (PDF) for systems up to 10,000 watts
- Tier 2 Agreement (PDF) (PDF) for systems from 10,000 watts to 100,000 watts
- Tier 3 Agreement (PDF) for systems greater than 100 KW and less than or equal to 1 MW
And submitting the PV plans, which must include:
- Address of the site at which the system will be installed.
- Documentation of the equipment and design meeting FKEC standards of service, tier agreement, and location of meter and disconnect (if applicable).
Step 2
After an FKEC engineer has reviewed and approved your documents, the plans will be emailed to the initiator with an FKEC stamp approved for PV construction. The FKEC engineer will advise of any items requiring correction or addition. Plans will not be approved until these items are rectified.
Take the stamped plans to the appropriate municipality or to Monroe County to be reviewed for permitting and obtain a permit.
Step 3
Install the system. (The system will be installed by a vendor selected by the FKEC member. Installation is the sole responsibility of the member.)
Have the system inspected. A copy of the inspection report is required to be submitted in Step 4.
Step 4
Complete: Phase 2 of the Net Meter Application
This form includes:
- Submitting contractor information
- The FKEC member’s signature
- Once FKEC receives the inspection report from the appropriate government agency, FKEC will perform an inspection, install sticker, and enable bi-directional meter
Note: Failure to follow any of the procedures will delay interconnection and potentially cause FKEC to be unable to approve setting a bi-directional meter until you are in full compliance with the procedures outlined below. For questions, you can call FKEC at (305) 852-2431 and ask for the Engineering Department.