A. Net metering rate. For customer-owned solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation:
1. Net metering is available for electric customers who own and maintain solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation systems, where the generating system is less than or equal to 10kW, as defined in Gridley Electric's Rule 21 contained in the city's Public Works Construction Standards.
2. The solar and/or wind electric generating system must be located on the customer's premises, interconnected on the customer's side of the meter of record, operated in parallel with the city's electric utility system, and intended to offset part of but no more than 100% of the customer's peak demand.
3. The net metering solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation rate on billings shall be as follows:
a. For billing periods in which the customer's kWh usage is higher than the customer owned generation output (customer is a Net User) the applicable standard bundled electric rates shall apply for all net energy provided by the city's electric utility including the basic service charge and other nonbypassable charges.
b. For billing periods when the customer's kWh usage is lower than the customer owned generation kWh output (customer is a net producer), the basic service charge and all other applicable nonbypassable charges will apply. The customer shall receive a dollar credit for the net customer-owned generation kWh output delivered to the city valued at the applicable bundled kWh-based electric rate. Excess credit will be used to offset other city services billed to the customer.
4. The customer must enter into an interconnection agreement with the city and receive approval to parallel with the city's electric distribution grid to receive service under this rate.
5. The customer must comply with conditions and terms set forth by the City of Gridley's Electric Rule 21 requirements for safe and efficient interconnection with the city' s electrical system.
6. All photovoltaic modules and inverters, in addition to meeting the technical standards for installation in subsection B, must also appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified Photovoltaic modules and Inverters list.
B. Technical standards for installation of interconnected net metered systems.
1. For the purposes of this section, the applicable sections of the current version of the California Electric Code based on the National Electric Code shall apply to all interconnected systems.
2. Gridley "Rule 21" document, as amended from time to time, is adopted as the Technical Standard for all interconnected systems and is included as a chapter of the city's Public Works Construction Standards.
3. This section is applicable in all instances for the installation and use of customer-owned solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation. In the event this section is in conflict with other portions of this chapter for applicable solar, wind or solar/wind/hybrid electrical generation facilities, this section takes precedence. For instances where solar, wind and solar/wind/hybrid electrical generation are not applicable, all remaining portions of this chapter apply. This section is not intended to supersede any portion of the Gridley Municipal Code except as specifically prescribed in this section where it applies to the installation of customer installed solar or wind generation.
C. Definitions.
1. "Interconnection Agreement." An agreement between City of Gridley and the producer providing for the interconnection of a generating facility that gives certain rights and obligations to effect Interconnection.
2. "Interconnection; Interconnected." The physical connection of a generating facility in accordance with city requirements so that parallel operation with City of Gridley's Distribution System can occur (has occurred).
3. "Net Metering." Metering for the receipt and delivery of electricity between the producer and City of Gridley.
4. "Parallel Operation." The simultaneous operation of a generator with power delivered or received by City of Gridley while interconnected.
5. "Peak Demand." The highest demand (kW) that the customer has placed on the City of Gridley electric grid. A surrogate, where this demand is unknown, is the size/capacity of the electric service breaker cabinet for the building.
APPENDIX A
PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERCONNECTION STANDARDS FOR SOLAR OR WIND ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES OF 10 kW OR LESS
A. General. This appendix sets forth the requirements and conditions for interconnected non-city-owned, solar or wind electric generation where such generation may be connected for parallel operation with the service of city. For purposes of this appendix, the interconnecting entity shall be designated customer-generator.
B. Design requirements.
1. Customer-generator shall conform to applicable National Electric Code (NEC) Standards [NEC 690] and applicable building codes.
a. Customer-generator shall have a dedicated circuit from the inverter to service panel with a circuit breaker or fuse [NEC 690-64(b)(1)].
b. Customer-generator's overcurrent device at the service panel shall be marked to indicate photovoltaic or wind power source [NEC 690-64(b)(4)].
2. The customer-generator's inverter shall have the following minimum specifications for parallel operation with city:
a. Must be certified as meeting the requirements of UL 1741 and must appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified inverters list located at:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html
b. Inverter output shall automatically disconnect from city source upon loss of city voltage and not reconnect until city voltage has been restored by city [NEC690-61].
c. Inverter shall automatically disconnect from city source within two cycles if city voltage fluctuates beyond ± 10%.
d. Inverter shall automatically disconnect from city within three cycles if city frequency fluctuates ± 2 cycles/second.
e. Inverter output distortion shall meet IEEE 519 Standards.
f. Inverter shall synchronize with city's power system voltage and frequency before closing in parallel.
3. Customer-generator shall meet the interconnection requirements as outlined in IEEE 929 Std. 929-2000 or the most recent version of the IEEE 929 Standards.
4. A visible open disconnect device shall be located on the electrical supply conductors between the solar inverter or wind generator and the facility service panel.
5. Upon notification the customer-generator will, within ten (10) days from date of notification, eliminate any radio or television interference and/or any other power quality problems that may arise from the customer-generator photovoltaic generation.
6. All photovoltaic modules must be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory as meeting the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1703, and must appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified Photovoltaic modules list located at:
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html
(Ord. 761, 2006).