Net Metering is one way to measure and value the output of member-owned generation. At Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Net Metering is an arrangement between the Cooperative and a member. NNEC allows the member to install renewable fuel generation on the member’s premises and interconnect it with the Cooperative’s distribution system. This arrangement is intended to allow the member to meet all, or part, of their electricity requirements by using renewable fuel generation on the member’s premises. The meter logs kilowatt hours whenever the member uses more electricity than is generated by the renewable fuel generation equipment. Conversely, the meter credits kilowatt hours on the same meter when the member generates electricity. The result is a month-ending meter reading that represents net use.
If the member uses more electricity over the course of the billing period than they have generated, they pay only for the net energy that they have received from the system, plus any fixed monthly charges provided by the rate schedule.
Residential Net Metering is available for members with a renewable fuel generator that has a rated capacity not exceeding 20 kilowatts (kW). Non-residential Net Metering is available for members with a renewable fuel generator not exceeding 1 megawatt. Prior to starting any construction or installation activity, including the addition or modification of any existing capacity on a previously-installed generator, sections 1 through 4 of the Interconnection Form must be submitted to, and approved by, the Cooperative. The member must also obtain the appropriate electrical permit and associated electrical inspection required by the local government.
- Members installing a renewable fuel generator that has a rated capacity of 10 kW or less shall maintain homeowners, commercial, or other insurance providing coverage in the amount of at least $100,000 for the liability of the insured against loss arising out of the use of a renewable fuel generator.
- Members installing a renewable fuel generator that has a rated capacity in excess of 10 kW shall maintain homeowners, commercial, or other insurance providing coverage in the amount of at least $300,000 for the liability of the insured against loss arising out of the use of a renewable fuel generator.
- NNEC requires a lockable disconnect that is capable of interrupting the maximum rated capacity of the renewable generator. This disconnect must be located within sight of NNEC's metering device and shall be labeled to denote the renewable generator disconnect.
The capacity of the renewable generator must be less than the capacity of the secondary and service entrance limitations, and shall not overload the electric distribution transformer beyond the manufacturer or nameplate ratings, unless the member reimburses the electric distribution company for its cost to modify any facilities needed to accommodate the interconnection.
The installation shall comply with IEEE 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, July 2003, as well as all other applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Additionally, the grounding scheme must comply with IEEE 1547, and shall be consistent with the grounding scheme used by the electric distribution company. The renewable generator and inverter must be UL listed. The customer may be required to select a grounding scheme that coordinates with the Cooperative’s electric distribution system.
The renewable fuel generator shall not create a voltage imbalance of more than 3.0 percent at any other customer’s meter (for NNEC) if the electric distribution company transformer, with the secondary connected to the point of interconnection, is a three-phase transformer, unless the customer reimburses the electric distribution company for its cost to modify any facilities needed to accommodate the interconnection.
NOTE: Additional information can be obtained from the Virginia State Corporation Commission. If you have other technical questions for NNEC, please contact Steve Bushong, Engineering Services or if you have billing questions, please contact Richard McLendon, Member Services. Inquiries can be made by calling (804) 333-3621.
The total connected capacity of all net metering connected to the Cooperative shall not exceed the following percentages of system peak:
A. For residential members, 2.0% of the Cooperative's system peak.
B. For nonresidential members other than nonprofit and non-jurisdictional members, 1.0% of the Cooperative's system peak.
C. For nonprofit and non-jurisdictional members, 2.0% of the Cooperative's system peak.
Below is the chart detailing the capacity available for installation in the NNEC territory as of April 10, 2023.
| kW | |
| System Peak | 114,255 |
| Residential Cap | 2,285.10 |
| Residential Installed | 1900.23 |
| Residential Available | 384.87 |
| Non-Residential Cap | 1,142.55 |
| Non-Residential Installed | 13.34 |
| Non-Residential Available | 1,138.55 |
| Non-Profit/Jurisdictional Cap | 2,285.10 |
| Non-Profit/Jurisdictional Installed | 4.00 |
| Non-Profit/Jurisdictional Available | 2,271.76 |
A tool is available through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that estimates the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems. The tool, PVWatts®, is a free application that allows consumers to easily develop estimates of the performance of potential PV installations. NREL is a third-party research laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and is not associated with Northern Neck Electric Co-op. Click on the image below to access the calculator.