933.124 DISTRIBUTED GENERATION SERVICE.
(a) Availability of Service. This service is available to consumers who are approved by the City of Cuyahoga Falls to own and operate qualifying distributed generation facilities designed to operate in parallel with the City's system. Consumers with distributed generation must also take service under the applicable rate class.
(b) Conditions of Service.
(1) A qualifying consumer is one whose generating facility complies with all the following requirements:
A. Is fueled by solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, or hydropower;
B. Is sized not to exceed the customer's annual kwh self-service needs to a maximum total combined generator size of 10 kW for residential units or 200 kW for commercial or industrial units;
C. Is owned and operated by the consumer and is located on the consumer-generator's premises;
D. Is designed and installed to operate in parallel with the City's system without adversely affecting the operation of equipment and service of the City and its consumers and without presenting safety hazards to City and consumer personnel;
E. Is approved by the City of Cuyahoga Falls via an Interconnection Agreement; and
F. Complies with all applicable codes, laws, and specifications.
(2) The consumer's generating equipment shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications as well as all applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code. All equipment and installations shall comply with all applicable safety and performance standards established by the National Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, and Underwriters Laboratories. Failure to comply with all codes, laws, and specifications may result in disconnection of electric service until all issues are resolved.
(3) An application for interconnection with the City's distribution system must be made by the consumer or the consumer's authorized representative. The Interconnection Agreement must provide at least the following information regarding the consumer-generator's facility: Inverter type, size, certification, and manufacturer's specifications including details about circuit protective devices; generation facility certifications; the installing electrician name, address, and phone number; and proof of inspection and approval from the appropriate City or County inspector(s).
(c) Metering. Metering shall be accomplished using a single meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in each direction. If the existing electrical meter installed at the consumer's facility is not capable of measuring the flow of electricity in two directions, the consumer shall be responsible for all expenses related to the purchase and installation of a City-approved meter and meter base with such capability. The City will provide and install the meter.
(d) Monthly Charges. Monthly charges for energy, and demand where applicable, to serve the consumer's net or total load shall be determined according to the City's standard service rates under which the consumer would otherwise be served, absent the consumer-owned generation source.
(e) Additional Charges. The consumer shall pay any additional charges, as determined by the City, for equipment, labor, metering, testing or inspections requested by the consumer.
(f) Excess Generation Rate Schedule. Qualifying Customers who generate a portion or all of their own electrical needs and provide any excess generation to the City of Cuyahoga Falls' system can receive a billing credit equal to the City's per kwh cost of energy as calculated by the Utility Billing Department from the recent month's billings to the City for power. This billing credit shall be provided to the customer subject to the following rules. The credit to the customer shall not exceed the dollar amount the City of Cuyahoga Falls bills the customer for electric consumption in any billing period. Any additional credit is forfeited to the City of Cuyahoga Falls Electric Department to cover operational costs. The monthly flat rate customer service charge will be the minimum charge for electric service in any billing period.
(Ord. 13-2018. Passed 2-26-18.)