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Fact sheet

This news release was posted more than two years ago. View our latest news releases here.

Net Metering Program changes

On Apr. 20, BC Hydro submitted an application to the BC Utilities Commission to amend the Net Metering Program to ensure future participants are no longer generating significantly more electricity than they require.

What is the Net Metering Program?

The Net Metering Program allows BC Hydro residential and commercial customers to connect a small electricity generating unit, like solar panels, to its distribution system.

When a Net Metering customer generates more electricity than they consume, they receive a credit to their account that is applied against their future consumption. If the customer still has an excess credit on their anniversary date, BC Hydro will pay them for that excess electricity.

Is the program cancelled?

No. The Net Metering Program is still available – and none of the terms have changed for existing participants.

Last year, BC Hydro generated 98 per cent clean electricity and will continue to support customers that want to offset some, or all of their electricity load with their own small renewable generation through the Net Metering Program.

What is BC Hydro looking to change going forward?

While most customers participating in the program only generate enough power to offset part or all their usage, there are some customers who are generating more power than they require – in some cases by up to 40 or 50 times.

Limiting program applicants that have proposed a generating facility that greatly exceeds their estimated annual usage will address this issue while BC Hydro undertakes a review of the program and makes further changes.

Why is BC Hydro changing the program?

The Net Metering Program was never intended to facilitate excess generation on a consistent basis, nor was it designed to be a power supply source for BC Hydro.

What about new or existing Net Metering customers who do not greatly exceed their estimated annual loads?

This will not affect current Net Metering customers or future applicants whose projects do not exceed their anticipated load requirements.

Will current Net Metering Program participants still receive a credit for excess power they generate?

Yes. When a Net Metering customer generates more electricity than they consume, they will continue to receive a credit to their account that is applied against their future consumption.

Are you still accepting applications to the program?

Yes. We are still accepting applications to the program.

Contact:

BC Hydro Media Relations
604 928 6468