Statewide Net Metering Guidelines for Kentucky Now Established
01/26/2009
On January 8, 2009, Kentucky's net metering rules took a great step forward with the release of statewide guidelines for interconnection and net metering, applicable to all of the state's regulated utilities. These guidelines incorporate changes to the state's net metering law passed in 2008. Among the changes are the expansion of eligible generating technologies to include wind, biomass, biogas, and hydroelectric, in addition to solar electric. The law also increased the maximum capacity of eligible generators from 15 kW to 30 kW.
The utilities shall file net metering tariffs and application forms to comply with these guidelines by April 8, 2009.
Highlights of Kentucky's net metering and interconnection guidelines:
Metering - Utilities are required to provide net metering services, without any cost to the customer for metering equipment, through a standard kilowatt-hour metering system capable of measuring the flow of electricity in two directions.
Application Fees - For most customers, there will be no application fees to apply for net metering services. The Guidelines define two different categories for applications (Level 1 and Level 2). Most residential and small commercial solar PV systems, which are inverter-based, would come under Level 1 and require no fee. Level 2 applications would be required for non-inverter-based systems and other systems that do not meet Level 1 requirements. Utilities may charge an application fee up to $100 and if an impact study is required, the utility may bill the customer up to $1,000 for the utility’s expenses related to the study.
External Disconnect Switches - Utilities may require the customer to provide an External Disconnect Switch on the customer's side of the point of common coupling (the point where the customer's renewable energy generator connects to the utility grid).
Liability Insurance - The Customer shall maintain general liability insurance coverage (through a standard homeowner's, commercial, or other policy) for both Level 1 and Level 2 generating facilities. The Utility may ask the Customer to provide proof of such insurance at the time the application is made for net metering.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To read the Kentucky Solar Partnership's summary of Kentucky's Guidelines for Interconnection and Net Metering, visit http://kysolar.org/net-metering.
To read the full text of the Guidelines with all the terms and conditions: Guidelines [click here] .
Contact your electric utility to learn about their specific requirements for net metering and interconnection and to receive a copy of their Application forms.
