Net Metering
BC Hydro has set up a process to make the interconnecting of small generating units (with a capacity rating of 50 kilowatts or less) to BC Hydro's distribution system as practicable as possible.
BC Hydro and Net Metering
BC Hydro has developed a Net Metering Tariff—rate schedule 1289, which was approved by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) on May 31, 2004 and assigned an effective date of March 10, 2004. The program has been designed for residential and commercial customers who wish to connect a small generating unit using a "BC Clean" (as defined by the B.C. government) energy source to the BC Hydro distribution system. See the one-page Information for Net Metering [PDF, 21 Kb] for details. When customers with their own generation facilities produce more than they consume, they will receive a credit from BC Hydro that goes to their account and can be applied against future consumption charges. At an anniversary date, the customer will be credited for any excess generation.
Process
The process generally includes these steps:
- Customer determines the technical and economic feasibility of the net metering project.
- Customer submits a completed application and an electric, single-line diagram to BC Hydro.
- BC Hydro reviews and accepts the application/submission.
- Customer and BC Hydro sign Net Metering Interconnection Agreement.
- Customer acquires all required permits and passes the electrical inspector approval to BC Hydro.
- Site Acceptance Verification test, where applicable, by BC Hydro.
- Connection to BC Hydro's Distribution System.
To get started
- Please review all information and documents on this site.
- Download the Net Metering application form.
- Submit the completed form to Generator Interconnections and Transmission Services.
- Contact us if you require assistance.
Contact
Generator Interconnections
BC Hydro
333 Dunsmuir St., 10th Floor
Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5R3
Phone: 604 623 4138 or 604 623 3755
Fax: 604 623 4335
E-mail: gen.connections@bchydro.com
Useful documents
Interconnection Application, Requirements and Agreement
- Net Metering Interconnection Application Form [PDF, 32 Kb]
- Net Metering Interconnection Requirements, 50 KW & Below [PDF, 333 Kb]
- Net Metering Interconnection Agreement [PDF, 26 Kb]
- BC Hydro Net Metering Tariff [PDF, 528 Kb]
- Net Metering Process Chart [PDF, 142 Kb]
- Frequently Asked Questions [PDF, 33 Kb]
- Sample Single Line Diagram [PDF, 28 Kb]
BC Hydro Application and Related BCUC Documents
- Net Metering Monitoring and Evaluation Report – Rate Schedule 1289 [PDF, 121 Kb]
- June 1, 2005 RS1289 Net Metering Monitoring and Evaluation Report [PDF, 4.5 Mb]
- BC Hydro Application for Net Metering Tariff to BCUC, 3 Nov, 2003 [PDF, 333 Kb]
- BCUC Decision on Net Metering, 12 March 2004 [PDF, 1.2 Mb]
- BC Hydro Response to BCUC Decision, 3 May, 2004 [PDF, 642 Kb]
- BCUC Approval of Final Net Metering Tariff, 31 May, 2004 [PDF, 696 Kb]
- Net Metering in British Columbia: White Paper prepared by Compass Resource Management Ltd. [PDF, 920 Kb]
In the spotlight
LiveSmart BC Efficiency Incentive Program
Net metering in British Columbia: white paper prepared by Compass Resource Management Ltd. BC Hydro, 2003
[PDF, 920 Kb]
BC Clean
The BC Government's definition of BC Clean is: "BC Clean electricity refers to alternative energy technologies that result in a net environmental improvement relative to existing energy production. Examples may include small/micro hydro, wind, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, tidal, wave and biomass energy, as well as cogeneration of heat and power, energy from landfill gas and municipal solid waste, fuel cells and efficiency improvements at existing facilities."
Last Modified: Jun 22, 2009
