15-49   Interconnection Devices
Any Distributed Energy Resource (DER) device generating or storing electricity to be used for domestic purposes that is interconnected with the electrical supply of the household, business, or industry shall be finished by the Grand Island Utilities Department in accordance with plans, specifications, rules and regulations approved by the Utilities Director or his designated representative and subject to the inspection of the Grand Island Utilities Department prior to the connected device being energized and put into operation. The standards for connecting any DER to any property that will be also connected to Grand Island Electric Utility shall be found in the Grand Island Utilities Department Metering and Interconnection standards online.
A customer that has a generation facility (or facilities) interconnected behind their service meter with an aggregate nameplate of 25 kW or less may be considered as a Qualified Facility (QF) and eligible for participation in a net metering program. Examples of this include Solar, Diesel Generator, Battery Bank, Wind Turbine, etc., or any device that may produce electricity. The program will be available for QF customers until the aggregate nameplate capacity of the participating QF customers meets one percent (1%) of the peak annual demand of the Utilities Department. The installation of equipment by the QF customer must meet all applicable safety, interconnection, and reliability standards established by the National Electrical Code filed with the Secretary of State and adopted by the State Electrical Board under subdivision (5) of section 81-2104, the National Electrical Safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Underwriters Laboratories; and must be equipped to automatically isolate the QF from the electrical system in the event of an electrical power outage or other conditions where the line is de-energized. An outside-mounted visible device shall be installed on the customer's side of the point of delivery/receipt that must be capable of preventing energizing the Utilities Department's service line and provide for a means for the Department to operate and lock in place. The Utilities Department will provide a bi-directional meter for measurement of the flow of electricity in both directions. A separate meter socket shall be provided and installed by the customer between the QF and the point of interconnection with the customer's electrical panel. The Utilities Department will provide a private use meter that will be used for measuring gross generation of the QF. Net excess energy produced by the QF during the billing period will be applied as a credit to the customer's account at the current month cost of energy per kilowatt-hour as defined in Division 6. At the end of the calendar year, or within sixty days after the customer terminates retail service, any excess credits will be paid to the customer.
(Amended by Ordinance No. 9578, effective 03-29-2016)
(Amended by Ordinance No. 9767, effective 04-08-2020)
(Amended by Ordinance No. 9840, effective 09-08-2021)
(Amended by Ordinance No. 9981, effective 08-01-2024)