20VAC5-315 Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering

REGULATIONS

Vol. 26 Iss. 7 - December 07, 2009

TITLE 20. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

Chapter 315

Proposed Regulation

Title of Regulation: 20VAC5-315. Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering (amending 20VAC5-315-10, 20VAC5-315-20, 20VAC5-315-40, 20VAC5-315-50, 20VAC5-315-70).

Statutory Authority: §§ 12.1-13 and 56-594 of the Code of Virginia.

Public Hearing Information: A public hearing will be held upon request.

Public Comment Deadline: December 21, 2009.

Agency Contact: Kelli Gravely, Utility Analyst-Energy Division, State Corporation Commission, P.O. Box 1197, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone [phone], FAX [phone], or email [e-mail].

Summary:

Pursuant to Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly, § 56-594 of the Code of Virginia was amended to (i) authorize utilities to elect a capacity limit for participation by nonresidential customers in the net energy metering program that exceeds the existing limit of 500 kW; (ii) permit customers who are served on time-of-use tariffs that have electricity supply demand charges contained within the electricity supply portion of the time-of-use tariff to participate as customer-generators; and (iii) provide that a participating customer-generator owns any renewable energy certificate associated with its generation of electricity, and provides for a one-time option to sell the certificates to its supplier at a rate established by the State Corporation Commission, with the utility's costs of acquiring the certificates recoverable under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard rate adjustment clause or through the supplier's fuel adjustment clause. The proposed amendments reflect the statutory increase of allowable total capacity of net metering customers, permit certain time-of-use customers to participate as customer-generators, and establish a mechanism for eligible customer-generators to sell renewable energy certificates to their electric distribution company at rates established by the State Corporation Commission.

AT RICHMOND, NOVEMBER 16, 2009

COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, ex rel.

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

CASE NO. PUE-2009-00105

Ex Parte: In the matter of amending regulations
governing net energy metering

ORDER ESTABLISHING PROCEEDING

The Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering, 20 VAC 5-315-10 et seq. ("Net Energy Metering Rules"), adopted by the State Corporation Commission ("Commission") pursuant to § 56-594 of the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act ("Restructuring Act"), Chapter 23 (§ 56-576 et seq.) of Title 56 of the Code of Virginia ("Code"), establish the requirements for participation by an eligible customer-generator in net energy metering in the Commonwealth of Virginia ("Commonwealth"). The Net Energy Metering Rules include conditions for interconnection and metering, billing, and contract requirements between net metering customers, electric distribution companies, and energy service providers.¹

Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly amended § 56-594 of the Code to: (1) authorize utilities to elect a capacity limit for participation by nonresidential customers in the net energy metering program that exceeds the existing limit of 500 kW; (2) permit customers who are served on time-of-use tariffs that have electricity supply demand charges contained within the electricity supply portion of the time-of-use tariff to participate as customer-generators; and (3) provide that a participating customer-generator owns any renewable energy certificates associated with its generation of electricity, and provides for a one-time option to sell the certificates to its supplier at a rate established by the Commission, with the utility's costs of acquiring the certificates recoverable under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard rate adjustment clause or through the supplier's fuel adjustment clause. The current Net Energy Metering Rules thus must be revised to reflect the permitted increase in the nonresidential capacity limit, to permit certain time-of-use customers to participate as customer-generators and to establish a mechanism for eligible customer-generators to sell renewable energy certificates to their electric distribution company at rates established by the Commission.

NOW THE COMMISSION, upon consideration of the matter, is of the opinion and finds that a proceeding should be established to amend the Net Energy Metering Rules to reflect the permitted increase in the nonresidential capacity limit, to permit certain time-of-use customers to participate as customer-generators, and to establish a mechanism for eligible customer-generators to sell renewable energy certificates to their electric distribution company at rates established by the Commission. To initiate this proceeding, the Commission Staff has prepared proposed rules ("Proposed Rules") which are appended to this Order. We will direct that notice of the Proposed Rules be given to the public and that interested persons be provided an opportunity to file written comments on, propose modifications or supplements to, or request a hearing on the Proposed Rules. We will further direct that each Virginia electric distribution company within the meaning of 20 VAC 5-315-20 serve a copy of this Order upon each of their respective net metering customers and file a certificate of service. Individuals should be specific in their comments, proposals, or supplements to the Proposed Rules and address only those issues pertaining to the amendment of § 56-594 of the Code pursuant to Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly. We will not consider issues outside the scope of these amendments or technical corrections in this proceeding.

Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

(1) This case is docketed and assigned Case No. PUE-2009-00105.

(2) The Commission's Division of Information Resources shall forward a copy of this Order Establishing Proceeding to the Registrar of Regulations for publication in the Virginia Register of Regulations.

(3) On or before November 30, 2009, the Commission's Division of Information Resources shall publish the following notice as classified advertising in newspapers of general circulation throughout the Commonwealth:

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF A PROCEEDING TO AMEND REGULATIONS FOR NET ENERGY METERING PURSUANT TO § 56-594 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA
CASE NO. PUE-2009-00105

The Regulations Governing Net Energy Metering, 20 VAC 5-315-10 et seq. ("Net Energy Metering Rules"), adopted by the State Corporation Commission ("Commission") pursuant to § 56-594 of the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act ("Restructuring Act"), Chapter 23 (§ 56 576 et seq.) of Title 56 of the Code of Virginia ("Code"), establish the requirements for participation by an eligible customer-generator in net energy metering in the Commonwealth of Virginia ("Commonwealth"). The Net Energy Metering Rules include conditions for interconnection and metering, billing, and contract requirements between net metering customers, electric distribution companies, and energy service providers.

Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly amended § 56-594 of the Code to: (1) authorize utilities to elect a capacity limit for participation by nonresidential customers in the net energy metering program that exceeds the existing limit of 500 kW; (2) permit customers who are served on time-of-use tariffs that have electricity supply demand charges contained within the electricity supply portion of the time-of-use tariff to participate as customer-generators; and (3) provide that a participating customer-generator owns any renewable energy certificates associated with its generation of electricity, and provides for a one-time option to sell the certificates to its supplier at a rate established by the Commission, with the utility's costs of acquiring the certificates recoverable under the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard rate adjustment clause or through the supplier's fuel adjustment clause. The current Net Energy Metering Rules thus must be revised to reflect the permitted increase in the nonresidential capacity limit, to permit certain time-of-use customers to participate as customer-generators and to establish a mechanism for eligible customer-generators to sell renewable energy certificates to their electric distribution company at rates established by the Commission.

The Commission has established a proceeding and published Staff's proposed amendments to the Net Energy Metering Rules to reflect the changes required by the revision of § 56-594 of the Code ("Proposed Rules"). Interested persons are encouraged to obtain a copy of the Commission Order and the proposed amendments in this proceeding. Copies are available for public inspection at the Commission's Document Control Center, Tyler Building, First Floor, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or may be downloaded from the Commission's website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. On or before December 21, 2009, any interested person may file an original and fifteen (15) copies of any written comments on or propose modifications or supplements to the Proposed Rules with the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth below.

Interested persons desiring to submit comments electronically may do so by following the instructions available at the Commission's website. Individuals should be specific in their comments, proposals, or supplements to the Proposed Rules and address only those issues pertaining to the amendment of Va. Code § 56-594 pursuant to Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly. The Commission will not consider issues outside the scope of this amendment in this proceeding.

On or before December 21, 2009, any interested person may file an original and fifteen (15) copies of any requests for hearing with the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth below. Any request for hearing shall state with specificity why the issues raised in the request for hearing cannot be adequately addressed in written comments. If a sufficient request for hearing is not received, the Commission may enter an order based upon the papers filed.

Persons expecting to participate as a respondent in any hearing that may be scheduled shall include with their request for hearing an original and fifteen (15) copies of a notice of participation in accordance with 5 VAC 5-20-80 of the Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, 5 VAC 5-20-10 et seq.

All filings in this proceeding shall be directed to Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218, and shall refer to Case No. PUE-2009-00105.

STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION

(4) On or before November 30, 2009, each Virginia electric distribution company shall serve a copy of this Order upon each of their respective net metering customers and file a certificate of service no later than December 7, 2009, consistent with the findings above.

(5) On or before December 21, 2009, any interested person may comment on, propose modifications or supplements to, or request a hearing on the Proposed Rules by filing an original and fifteen (15) copies of such comments or requests with Joel H. Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218. Individuals should be specific in their comments, proposals, or supplements to the Proposed Rules and address only those issues pertaining to the amendment of § 56-594 of the Code pursuant to Chapter 804 of the 2009 Acts of Assembly. The Commission will not consider issues outside the scope of this amendment in this proceeding. Any request for hearing shall state with specificity why the issues raised in the request for hearing cannot be adequately addressed in written comments. If a sufficient request for hearing is not received, the Commission may consider the matter and enter an order based upon the papers filed herein. Interested parties shall refer in their comments or requests to Case No. PUE-2009-00105. Interested persons desiring to submit comments electronically may do so by following the instructions available at the Commission's website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case.

(6) This matter is continued for further orders of the Commission.

AN ATTESTED COPY hereof shall be sent by the Clerk of the Commission to all electric distribution companies licensed in Virginia as shown on Appendix A, hereto; and a copy shall also be sent to the Commission's Office of General Counsel and Divisions of Energy Regulation, Public Utility Accounting, and Economics and Finance.

_____________________________________

¹ On August 7, 2008, the Commission amended the Commission's Net Energy Metering Rules to increase the allowable total aggregate generation capacity of net metering customers and to establish the framework for eligible customer-generators to contract with their electric distribution company for the sale of generation exceeding their usage. These amendments reflect the statutory changes enacted by Chapters 877, 888, and 933 of the 2007 Acts of Assembly, which amended § 56-594 of the Restructuring Act (Case No. PUE-2008-00008, Order Adopting Final Regulations).

20VAC5-315-10. Applicability and scope.

These regulations are promulgated pursuant to the provisions of § 56-594 of the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Regulation Act (§ 56-576 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). They establish requirements intended to facilitate net energy metering for customers owning and operating, or contracting with persons to own or operate, or both, an electrical generator that uses renewable energy, as defined by § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia as its total fuel source. These regulations will standardize the interconnection requirements for such facilities and will govern the metering, billing, payment and contract requirements between net metering customers, electric distribution companies and energy service providers.

20VAC5-315-20. Definitions.

The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Billing period" means, as to a particular customer, the time period between the dates on two meter readings upon which the electric distribution company or and the energy service provider, as the case may be, issues calculate the customer's bills.

"Billing period credit" means, for a nontime-of-use net metering customer, the quantity of electricity generated and fed back into the electric grid by the customer's renewable fuel generator in excess of the electricity supplied to the customer over the billing period. For time-of-use net metering customers, billing period credits are determined separately for each time-of-use tier.

"Demand charge-based time-of-use tariff" means a retail tariff for electric supply service that has two or more time-of-use tiers for energy-based charges and an electricity supply demand (kilowatt) charge.

"Electric distribution company" means the entity that owns and/or operates the distribution facilities delivering electricity to the net metering customer's premises.

"Energy service provider (supplier)" means the entity providing electric energy electricity supply to a net metering customer, either as a tariffed, or competitive, or default service pursuant to § 56-585 of the Code of Virginia.

"Excess generation" means the amount by which of electricity generated by the renewable fuel generator exceeds in excess of the electricity consumed by the net metering customer for over the course of the net metering period. For time-of-use net metering customers, excess generation is determined separately for each time-of-use tier.

"Net metering customer (customer)" means a customer owning and operating, or contracting with other persons to own or operate, or both, a renewable fuel generator under a net metering service arrangement.

"Net metering period" means each successive 12-month period beginning with the first meter reading date following the date of final interconnection of the renewable fuel generator with the electric distribution company's facilities.

"Net metering service" means providing retail electric service to a customer operating a renewable fuel generator and measuring the difference, over the net metering period, between electricity supplied to a net metering the customer from the electric grid and the electricity generated and fed back to the electric grid by the net metering customer, using a single meter or, as provided in 20VAC5-315-70, additional meters.

"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, company, business, trust, joint venture, or other private legal entity and the Commonwealth or any municipality.

"Renewable Energy Certificate (REC)" represents the renewable energy attributes associated with the production of one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electrical energy generated by a renewable fuel generator.

"Renewable fuel generator" means an electrical generating facility that:

1. Has an alternating current capacity of not more than 10 kilowatts for residential customers and not more than 500 kilowatts for nonresidential customers unless the electric distribution company has chosen a higher capacity limit in its net metering tariff;

2. Uses renewable energy, as defined by § 56-576 of the Code of Virginia, as its total fuel source;

3. The net metering customer owns and operates, or has contracted with other persons to own or operate, or both;

4. Is located on the customer's premises and is connected to the customer's wiring on the customer's side of its interconnection with the distributor;

5. Is interconnected pursuant to a net metering arrangement and operated in parallel with the electric distribution company's facilities; and

6. Is intended primarily to offset all or part of the net metering customer's own electricity requirements.

"Time-of-use net metering customer (time-of-use customer)" means a net metering customer receiving retail electricity supply service under a demand charge-based time-of-use tariff.

"Time-of-use period" means an interval of time over which the energy (kilowatt-hour) rate charged to a time-of-use customer does not change.

"Time-of-use tier (tier)" means all time-of-use periods given the same name (e.g., on-peak, off-peak, critical peak, etc.) for the purpose of time-differentiating energy (kilowatt-hour)-based charges. The rates associated with a particular tier may vary by day and by season.

20VAC5-315-40. Conditions of interconnection.

A. A prospective net metering customer may begin operation of his renewable fuel generator on an interconnected basis when:

1. The net metering customer has properly notified both the electric distribution company and energy service provider (in accordance with 20VAC5-315-30) of his intent to interconnect;

2. If required by the electric distribution company's net metering tariff, the net metering customer has installed a lockable, electric distribution company accessible, load breaking manual disconnect switch;

3. A licensed electrician has certified, by signing the commission-approved notification form, that any required manual disconnect switch has been installed properly and that the renewable fuel generator has been installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications as well as all applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code;

4. The vendor has certified, by signing the commission-approved notification form, that the renewable fuel generator being installed is in compliance with the requirements established by Underwriters Laboratories or other national testing laboratories in accordance with IEEE Standard 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, July 2003;

5. In the case of static inverter-connected renewable fuel generators with an alternating current capacity in excess of 10 kilowatts, the net metering customer has had the inverter settings inspected by the electric distribution company. The inspecting electric distribution company may impose a fee on the net metering customer of no more than $50 for such inspection;

6. In the case of nonstatic inverter-connected renewable fuel generators, the net metering customer has interconnected according to the electric distribution company's interconnection guidelines and the electric distribution company has inspected all protective equipment settings. The inspecting electric distribution company may impose a fee on the net metering customer of no more than $50 for such inspection.

7. In the case of renewable fuel generators with an alternating current capacity greater than 25 kilowatts, the following requirements shall be met before interconnection may occur:

a. Electric distribution facilities and customer impact limitations. A renewable fuel generator shall not be permitted to interconnect to distribution facilities if the interconnection would reasonably lead to damage to any of the electric distribution company's facilities or would reasonably lead to voltage regulation or power quality problems at other customer revenue meters due to the incremental effect of the generator on the performance of the electric distribution system, unless the customer reimburses the electric distribution company for its cost to modify any facilities needed to accommodate the interconnection.

b. Secondary, service, and service entrance limitations. The capacity of the renewable fuel generator shall be less than the capacity of the electric distribution company-owned secondary, service, and service entrance cable connected to the point of interconnection, unless the customer reimburses the electric distribution company for its cost to modify any facilities needed to accommodate the interconnection.

c. Transformer loading limitations. The renewable fuel generator shall not have the ability to overload the electric distribution company transformer, or any transformer winding, beyond manufacturer or nameplate ratings, unless the customer reimburses the electric distribution company for its cost to modify any facilities needed to accommodate the interconnection.

d. Integration with electric distribution company facilities grounding. The grounding scheme of the renewable fuel generator shall comply with IEEE 1547, Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, July 2003, and shall be consistent with the grounding scheme used by the electric distribution company. If requested by a prospective net metering customer, the electric distribution company shall assist the prospective net metering customer in selecting a grounding scheme that coordinates with its distribution system.

e. Balance limitation. The renewable fuel generator shall not create a voltage imbalance of more than 3.0% at any other customer's revenue meter 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.

B. A prospective net metering customer shall not be allowed to interconnect a renewable fuel generator if doing so will cause the total rated generating alternating current capacity of all interconnected renewable fuel generators within that customer's electric distribution company's Virginia service territory to exceed 1.0% of that company's Virginia peak-load forecast for the previous year. In any case where a prospective net metering customer has submitted a notification form required by 20VAC5-315-30 and that customer's interconnection would cause the total rated generating alternating current capacity of all interconnected renewable fuel generators within that electric distribution company's service territory to exceed 1.0% of that company's Virginia peak-load forecast for the previous year, the electric distribution company shall, at the time it becomes aware of the fact, send written notification to such prospective net metering customer and to the commission's Division of Energy Regulation that the interconnection is not allowed. In addition, upon request from any customer, the electric distribution company shall provide to the customer the amount of capacity still available for interconnection pursuant to § 56-594 D of the Code of Virginia.

C. Neither the electric distribution company nor the energy service provider shall impose any charges upon a net metering customer for any interconnection requirements specified by this chapter, except as provided under subdivisions A 5 and 6 of this section, and 20VAC5-315-50 as related to off-site additional metering.

D. The net energy metering customer shall immediately notify the electric distribution company of any changes in the ownership of, operational responsibility for, or contact information for the generator.

20VAC5-315-50. Metering, billing, payment and contract or tariff considerations.

Net metered energy shall be measured in accordance with standard metering practices by metering equipment capable of measuring (but not necessarily displaying) power flow in both directions. Each contract or tariff governing the relationship between a net metering customer, electric distribution company or energy service provider shall be identical, with respect to the rate structure, all retail rate components, and monthly charges, to the contract or tariff under which the same customer would be served if such customer was not a net metering customer with the exception that time of use time-of-use metering under an electricity supply tariff having no demand charges is not permitted. Said contract or tariff shall be applicable to both the electric energy supplied to, and consumed from, the grid by that customer.

In instances where a net metering customers' customer's metering equipment is of a type for which meter readings are made off site and where this equipment has, or will be, installed for the convenience of the electric distribution company, the electric distribution company shall provide the necessary additional metering equipment to enable net metering service at no charge to the net metering customer. In instances where a net metering customer has requested, and where the electric distribution company would not have otherwise installed, metering equipment which that is intended to be read off site, the electric distribution company may charge the net metering customer its actual cost of installing any additional equipment necessary to implement net metering service. A time-of-use net metering customer shall bear the incremental metering costs associated with net metering. Any incremental metering expense associated with measuring the output of the renewable fuel generator for the purposes of receiving renewable energy certificates shall be installed at the customer's expense unless otherwise negotiated between the customer and the REC purchaser.

If electricity generated by the net metering customer and fed back to the electric grid exceeds the electricity supplied to the net metering customer from the grid during a net metering period, the A net metering customer shall receive no compensation from the electric distribution company nor the energy service provider for excess generation unless that the net metering customer has entered into a power purchase agreement with the electric distribution company and/or the energy service provider its supplier.

If the electric distribution company is also the energy service provider of the net metering customer, the electric distribution company, upon Upon the written request of the net metering customer, the customer's supplier shall enter into a power purchase agreement for the excess generation for one or more net metering periods, as requested by the net metering customer, that begin on or after July 1, 2007. For net metering periods beginning during the time period July 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008, the written request of the net metering customer shall be submitted prior to the end of the net metering period. For net metering periods beginning on or after January 1, 2009, the. The written request of the net metering customer shall be submitted prior to the beginning of the first net metering period covered by the power purchase agreement. The power purchase agreement shall be consistent with this chapter and obligate the. If the customer's supplier is an investor-owned electric distribution company, the supplier shall be obligated by the power purchase agreement to purchase the excess generation for the requested net metering periods at a price equal to the PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. (PJM) zonal day-ahead annual, simple average LMP (locational marginal price) for the PJM load zone in which the electric distribution company's Virginia retail service territory resides (simple average of hourly LMPs, by tiers, for time-of-use customers), as published by the PJM Market Monitoring Unit, for the most recent calendar year ending on or before the end of each net metering period, unless the electric distribution company and the net metering customer mutually agree to a higher price or unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission establishes a different price or pricing methodology. If the Virginia retail service territory of the investor-owned electric distribution company does not reside within a PJM load zone, the power purchase agreement shall obligate the electric distribution company to purchase excess generation for the requested net metering periods at a price equal to the systemwide PJM day-ahead annual, simple average LMP (simple average of hourly LMPs, by tiers, for time-of-use customers), as published by the PJM Market Monitoring Unit, for the most recent calendar year ending on or before the end of each net metering period, unless the electric distribution company and the net metering customer mutually agree to a higher price or unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission establishes a different price or pricing methodology.

The If the customer's supplier is a member-owned electric cooperative electric distribution company, the supplier shall be obligated by the power purchase agreement to purchase excess generation for the requested net metering periods at a price equal to the simple average (by tiers for time-of-use customers) of the cooperative electric distribution company's cooperative's hourly avoidable cost of energy, including fuel, based on the energy and energy-related charges of its primary wholesale power supplier for the net metering period, unless the electric distribution company and the net metering customer mutually agree to a higher price or unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission establishes a different price or pricing methodology.

If the customer's supplier is a competitive supplier, the supplier shall be obligated by the power purchase agreement to purchase the excess generation for the requested net metering periods at a price equal to the systemwide PJM day-ahead annual, simple average LMP (simple average of hourly LMPs, by tiers, for time-of-use customers), as published by the PJM Market Monitoring Unit, for the most recent calendar year ending on or before the end of each net metering period, unless the supplier and the net metering customer mutually agree to a higher price or unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing, the commission establishes a different price or pricing methodology.

The electric distribution company customer's supplier shall make full payment annually to the net metering customer within 30 days following the latter of the end of the net metering period or, if applicable, the date of the PJM Market Monitoring Unit's publication of the previous calendar-year's applicable zonal or systemwide PJM day-ahead annual, simple average LMP (locational marginal price), or hourly LMP, as appropriate. The electric distribution company supplier may offer the net metering customer the choice of an account credit in lieu of a direct payment. The option of a net metering customer to request payment from its supplier for excess generation for the net metering period and the corresponding price or pricing formula applicable to such excess generation and the price or pricing formula shall be clearly delineated in the net metering tariff of the electric distribution company or timely provided by the customer's competitive supplier, as applicable. A copy of such tariff, or an Internet link to such tariff, at the option of the customer, shall be provided to each customer requesting interconnection of a renewable fuel generator. A competitive supplier shall provide in its contract with the net metering customer the price or pricing formula for excess generation.

If electricity generated by the net metering customer and fed back to the electric grid exceeds the electricity supplied to the net metering customer from the grid during any billing period (billing period credit), For a nontime-of use net metering customer, in any billing period in which there is a billing period credit, the net metering customer shall be required to pay only the nonusage sensitive charges for that billing period. Such For a time-of-use net metering customer, in any billing period for which there are billing period credits in all tiers, the customer shall be required to pay only the demand charge or charges and nonusage sensitive charges for that billing period. Any billing period credits shall be accumulated, carried forward, and applied at the first opportunity to any billing periods having positive net consumptions (by tiers, in the case of time-of-use customers). However, any accumulated billing period credits remaining unused at the end of a net metering period shall be carried forward into the next net metering period only to the extent that such accumulated billing period credits carried forward do not exceed the net metering customer's billed consumption for the current net metering period, adjusted to exclude accumulated billing period credits carried forward and applied from the previous net metering period (recognizing tiers for time-of-use customers).

A net metering customer owns any renewable energy certificates associated with its renewable fuel generator and may sell those RECs to any willing buyer at any time at a mutually agreeable price. The net metering customer has a one-time option at the time of signing a power purchase agreement with its supplier to include a provision requiring the purchase by the supplier of all generated RECs over the duration of the power purchase agreement. Payment for all whole RECs generated during a net metering period covered by the purchase power agreement shall be made at the same time as the payment for any excess generation. The supplier will post a credit to the customer's account, or the customer may elect a direct payment. Any fractional REC remaining shall not receive immediate payment, but may be carried forward to subsequent net metering periods for the duration of the power purchase agreement.

The rate of the payment by the supplier for a customer's RECs shall be the daily unweighted average of the "CR" component of Virginia Electric and Power Company's Virginia jurisdiction Rider G tariff in effect over the period for which the rate of payment for the excess generation is determined, unless the customer's supplier is not Virginia Electric and Power Company, and that supplier has an applicable Virginia retail renewable energy tariff containing a comparable REC commodity price component, in which case that price component shall be the basis of the rate of payment. The commission may, with notice and opportunity for hearing, set another rate of payment or methodology for setting the rate of payment for RECs.

20VAC5-315-70. Additional controls and tests.

Except as provided in 20VAC5-315-40 A 5 and 6 and 20VAC5-315-50 as related to off-site additional metering, no net metering customer shall be required to pay for additional metering, testing or controls in order to interconnect with the electric distribution company or energy service provider. However, this chapter shall not preclude a net metering customer, an electric distribution company or an energy service provider from installing additional controls or meters, or from conducting additional tests. The expenses associated with these additional meters, tests or equipment shall be borne by the party desiring the additional meters, tests or equipment.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1547, IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems, July 2003, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.

Rider G, Renewable Energy Program, Virginia Electric and Power Company, January 1, 2009.

VA.R. Doc. No. R10-2151; Filed November 17, 2009, 9:27 a.m.