Chapter 13.22
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INTERCONNECTION
Sections:
13.22.030 Energy rates and payments.
13.22.010 Net metering.
The net metering section of the Helper City Municipal Code is hereby created as follows:
A. Helper City allows customer owned grid connected electric generating systems (net metering) based upon the requirements and standards of this section; provided, that the total energy generated by customer owned systems pursuant to this chapter shall not exceed 0.1 percent of the average total energy load within the city for the three preceding fiscal years. Net metering allows for interconnected non-utility-owned electric generation to be connected for parallel operation within the electrical system of Helper City.
B. Net metering will be allowed to interconnect with Helper City’s electrical distribution system at a service level voltage only after determination by Helper City that such interconnection will not interfere with the operation of the distribution circuit and ensures the safety of Helper City employees and customers.
C. Interconnection Requirements.
1. Customers shall comply with all the latest applicable National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements (NEC Articles 690 and 705), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements, state of Utah requirements, building codes and shall obtain building permit(s) for the equipment installation.
2. Customers shall be responsible for all expenses related to the equipment necessary for net metering, with the exception of the meter which shall be purchased by Helper City. In addition, any subsequent meter change necessitated by the customer, whether because of a decision to stop net metering or for any other reason, shall be an expense billed to the customer at the applicable service rates.
3. Meter and transformer or transformer pole serving the customer-generator shall be labeled to indicate potential electric current back feed. Helper City will provide and install labels when customer-generator’s electric system is approved for interconnection.
4. Customer shall provide space for metering equipment and meter base as per Helper City requirements.
5. Customer’s over-current device at the service panel shall be marked to indicate power source and connection to Helper City’s distribution system.
6. The customer shall assume the full responsibility for all maintenance of the generator and protective equipment and keeping of records for such maintenance. These records shall be available to Helper City for inspection at all times.
7. Customer’s power production control system shall comply with NEC Articles 690 and 705; and applicable and current Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards for parallel operation with Helper City, in particular, the following:
a. Power output control system shall automatically disconnect from Helper City’s source upon loss of voltage and not reconnect until Helper City’s voltage has been restored for at least five minutes consecutively;
b. Power output control system shall automatically initiate a disconnect from Helper City source within six cycles if customer’s voltage falls below 60 volts rms to ground (nominal 120 V rms base) on any phase;
c. Power output control system shall automatically initiate a disconnect from Helper City’s system within two seconds if the voltage rises above 132 volts rms phase to ground or falls below 104 volts rms phase to ground (nominal 120 V rms base) on any phase;
d. Power output control system shall automatically initiate a disconnect from Helper City’s system within three cycles for any reverse power flow condition.
8. Customer shall provide a written description of how the protection devices will achieve compliance with the requirements of this policy as part of the building permit application.
9. Customer shall furnish and install on customer’s side of the meter, a safety disconnect switch which shall be capable of fully disconnecting the customer’s generating facility from Helper City’s electric system. The disconnect switch shall be located adjacent to Helper City’s meters and shall be of the visible break type in a metal enclosure which can be secured by a padlock. The disconnect switch shall be accessible to Helper City personnel at all times.
10. Customer shall comply with all of Helper City’s service and utility billing requirements, including payments for applicable monthly electrical base rates and other utility billings, fees and taxes.
11. For purposes of gathering research data, Helper City may, at its expense, install and operate additional metering and data gathering devices.
D. All safety and operating procedures for joint use equipment shall be in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.269, the NEC, the NESC, state of Utah rules, Helper City code and equipment manufacturer’s safety and operating manuals.
E. A system diagram or schematic must be submitted with an approved building permit application from Carbon County.
F. If the net metering project requires special engineering studies as determined by Helper City, the customer shall be responsible for all costs. An estimate of costs shall be provided by a licensed engineering firm as determined by Helper City and payment will be made by the customer, to the city, before the engineering study is approved.
G. Each customer desiring to engage in net metering must enter into a net metering license agreement as prepared by Helper City. The license agreement will contain additional conditions to maintain the integrity and reliability of the Helper City system and/or conditions deemed necessary to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the residents and employees of Helper City.
H. Helper City shall make net metering available to eligible customers on a first-come, first-served basis. [Ord. 2015-4 § 1].
13.22.020 Adoption of forms.
The city hereby adopts the net metering agreement shown on Exhibit A (or substantially similar thereto), which is attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter and incorporated herein. [Ord. 2015-4 § 2].
13.22.030 Energy rates and payments.
The customer shall be subject to the following provision for net metering service:
A. For all kWh delivered by the city the customer shall pay the applicable retail rate, as if the customer had not installed a renewable resource.
B. Helper City shall credit the customer’s current electric bill for kWh that exceed the customer’s on-site consumption during the current billing period at the average wholesale rate from the prior year.
C. Energy produced and consumed on site by the customer is considered the avoided cost or return on investment and will not be included in the determination of the wholesale credit to the customer account.
D. On June 1st of each calendar year, any remaining unused credits will be applied to the current billing period. Any remaining credit on the customers’ utility account in excess shall be removed from the account without further compensation by Helper City.
E. If a home with a renewable resource is sold, any remaining credits will be applied to the electrical billing for kWh consumption with any remaining unused credits above the total billing relinquished to Helper City.
F. Net metering shall only be applied to offset part or all of a customer’s own electrical requirements at a single metering point. Net metering credit shall not be applied to multiple meters owned by a single customer at separate locations. [Ord. 2015-4 § 3].