Renewable Energy Solutions Interconnections
Information for installers interconnecting projects in Connecticut for Renewable Energy Solutions.
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Connecticut Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions
Non-Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) is an incentive program that can help you offset the cost of the electricity you buy from Eversource with the energy you generate with non-residential solar or other Connecticut Class I renewable technologies.
This program replaced the Low and Zero Emission Renewable Energy Credit Program.
If you have questions about the NRES Program at Eversource, please email ctcommrenewables@eversource.com or call 844-726-7573.
How it works
The year 3 procurement process was developed via Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Docket No. 23-08-03.
In program years 2 and beyond, there will be two opportunities to submit an NRES bid, tentatively scheduled for February and August each year.
The program year 3 (2024) February request for proposals (RFP) is closed. The year 3 August RFP opened at 1 p.m. August 1, 2024.
Competitive solicitation bids for project sizes greater than 200kW up to and including 5,000kW will be accepted from 1 p.m. EPT August 1, 2024 through 1 p.m. EPT September 17, 2024.
Non-competitive bids for projects up to and including 200kW will be accepted from 1 p.m. EPT August 1, 2024 through 1 p.m. EPT September 17, 2024.
The RFP process is determined by the size of the project.
Small projects
Projects less than or equal to 200kW are awarded tariff agreements on a first-come, first-served basis at a fixed price as determined by PURA. Bids may be submitted in an online portal during the RFP window. If the cumulative capacity of small project bids submitted within the first two weeks of the RFP bid window exceeds the available MW capacity for the RFP, the small project bids submitted within the two-week window will be considered submitted at the same date/time and will be selected via a random selection process. Small project bids submitted after the two-week window will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date/time the bid is considered complete, meaning both the complete bid and the required fees (bid fee and performance assurance) have been received by the EDC.
Large projects
Projects greater than 200kW up to and including 5,000kW are awarded tariff agreements through a competitive solicitation process. Bidding will take place in an online bid portal during the RFP window.
| Category | Project Size (AC) | Eversource MW/Year | February Solicitation 60% | August Solicitation 40% | Project Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low Emission Projects | ≤ 5,000 kW | 8 | 4.8 | 3.2 | Competitive Solicitation |
| Large Zero Emission Projects | >1,000 kW ≤ 5,000 kW | 31 | 18.6 | 12.4 | Competitive Solicitation |
| Medium Zero Emission Projects | >200 kW ≤ 1,000 kW | 25 | 15 | 10 | Competitive Solicitation |
| Small Zero Emission Projects | ≤ 200 kW | 24 | 14.4 | 9.6 | First-come, first-served, subject to two-week window |
What are Renewable Energy Certificates?
A REC is generated for each megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity that your system generates regardless of whether you use the energy or it is exported to the electric grid.
Incentive options
Before submitting a bid, the Customer of Record must pick from two incentive compensation options: Buy-All or Netting. Each is designed to provide a similar return on investment. For current incentive rates, please see the current RFP document in the RFP Information section.
Buy-All Incentive
With the Buy-All Incentive, you will export all power that your system produces to the electric grid without first suppling power to your building.
If you choose this option:
- We will purchase power from you at a rate approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA)
- You'll receive compensation as either an on-bill credit to offset your monthly bill or a cash payment once per quarter. You may specify a percentage of your compensation to be split between the two options
- You will purchase the electricity you need to power your building directly from Eversource
- Any on-bill credits not used to offset your bill can be cashed out at the end of the 20-year term
- Any cash payments can go to a third party, called a Tariff Payment Beneficiary
Meter setup
With the Buy-All Incentive, your power generation and consumption are measured using separate meters installed at your building.
Netting Incentive
With the Netting Incentive, you'll first supply power from the system to your building and only export excess power to the electric grid.
If you choose this option:
- Power produced by your system, but not consumed within the month, is "netted" at the same rate you pay Eversource for electricity
- Net credits are applied to your bill in dollars and will be used to offset future customer, supply and delivery charges
- Any excess credits can be carried over each month and cashed out if you stop electric service
- Once enrolled, your compensation rate (in dollars per kilowatt hour) for net production will fluctuate with the prevailing retail rate over a 20-year term
Meter setup
With the Netting Incentive, you’ll receive a new meter that measures how much energy you consume and how much is exported to the grid. You'll also receive a second meter to measure the energy produced by your project.
Options for State, Agricultural and Municipal customers
State, Agricultural or Municipal (SAM) customers have the opportunity to share compensation from renewable energy generation with other SAM customers. Both the Buy-All and Netting incentives are available.
SAM projects must identify the initial beneficial accounts when a bid is submitted by using the Beneficial Account Credit Allocation Form (.xls file download).
SAM Customers with the Buy-All Incentive
Just as with the standard Buy-All incentive, if you're a SAM customer who chooses the Buy-All Incentive, you'll:
- Receive compensation for all of the energy you generate
- Separately purchase the electricity you need to power your building from Eversource
As a SAM customer, you can choose to assign a percentage of your total compensation to other SAM accounts such as a public school, police department or public works department.
SAM Customers with the Netting Incentive
With this option, you net credits the same way as the standard Netting Incentive. You'll:
- First use the energy you generate with your system
- Receive credits for any excess generation (in dollars) at the same rate you pay Eversource for electricity
As a SAM customer, you can apply a percentage of your excess credits to other SAM accounts. You'll choose:
- What percentage of your excess power generation value to apply to other SAM beneficial accounts
- What percentage of your excess power generation to compensate via Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) payments
Previous Bid Results
Bid results and public summary information for prior RFPs are available below.
Program Summary Data
- NRES Program Summary Data (XLSX)
Year 1 RFP Results
- Year 1 Summary Report (PDF)
- Year 1 Public Summary Data (.xls file download)
Year 2 RFP Results
Bidding process
The first solicitation took place in February 2022. After that, two annual solicitations will take place each February and August through 2028.
The February solicitation will not exceed 60 percent of the program's annual capacity. The August solicitation will not exceed 40 percent of the program's annual capacity plus any remaining capacity from February.
Year 3 RFP Schedules
February RFP Schedule
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Bidders conference – webinar only | January 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. |
| Deadline for submission of questions | January 30, 2024 |
| Release of RFP and opening of bid window for all project size categories, and two-week window for small zero emission category | February 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”) |
| Close of two-week window for small zero emission category | February 14, 2024 at 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”), at which time the pricing shall become firm, irrevocable and binding. |
| Bid forms due for all categories | March 14, 2024 by 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”), at which time the pricing shall become firm, irrevocable and binding. |
| Selection and notification of winning bidders for all categories | On or about May 3, 2024 |
| Tariff agreement execution | After selection and notification of winning bidders, bidders will have to return partially executed contracts by the date established by the companies which is expected to be approximately 10 business days. |
| Tariff agreement(s) filed with PURA | At the conclusion of the award notification process |
| Commencement of service | In accordance with tariff agreements |
August RFP Schedule
| Action Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Bidders conference – webinar only | July 23, 2024 at 10 a.m. |
| Deadline for submission of questions | July 30, 2024 |
| Release of RFP and opening of bid window for all project size categories, and two-week window for small zero emission category | August 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”) |
| Close of two-week window for small zero emission category | August 14, 2024 at 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”), at which time the pricing shall become firm, irrevocable and binding. |
| Bid forms due for all categories | September 17, 2024 by 1 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time “EPT”), at which time the pricing shall become firm, irrevocable and binding. |
| First round selection and notification of winning bidders for all categories | On or about November 1, 2024 |
| Tariff agreement execution | After selection and notification of winning bidders, bidders will have to return partially executed contracts by the date established by the companies which is expected to be approximately 10 business days. |
| Second round of selection and notification of winning bidders (if applicable) | Approximately 5 business days after initial tariff agreement execution date (date on which executed tariff Agreement is due to the EDC for the first round of selection). After the tariff agreement execution date, each EDC will reevaluate its available MWs and reallocate to the next project(s) in the queue as necessary in accordance with the RFP and notify selected bidders accordingly. |
| Tariff agreement(s) filed with PURA | At the conclusion of the award notification process, but no later than December 31, 2024 |
| Commencement of service | In accordance with tariff agreements |
Bid calculator
Buy-All and Netting Incentive bids compete in the same competitive solicitation. Before submitting a bid, review the Guideline for bid price comparison (PDF).
You can then use the bid calculator to determine what your evaluated bid price will be and compare the Buy-All vs. Netting payment structures.
Download bid calculator (.xls file download)
Year 3 RFP documents
Before submitting a bid, review the following program and RFP information and complete any necessary forms.
Program Information
All files are PDF format.
RFP Information
All files are PDF format
Forms
Forms for Bid Submission
- Bid Certification Form (PDF)
- Usage History Templates (.xls file downloads)
- Bid Preference Explanation and Description Form (PDF)
- Carbon Neutrality Certification Form (PDF)
- Professional Engineer Certification Form (PDF)
- SAM Beneficial Account Credit Allocation Form (.xls file download)
- Direct Ownership Customer Disclosure Form (PDF)
- Third-party Ownership Customer Disclosure Form (PDF)
Other Forms (PDF)
- Customer Accounting Information Revision Form
- Payment Beneficiary Revision Form
- Prerequisites for Purchase Certification Statement Form
- Professional Engineer Certification that Beneficial Electrification has Occurred
- Tariff Payment Beneficiary Accounting Information Revision Form
- Tariff Agreement Customer Update Form
Connecticut Department of Agriculture Resources
Submit Your Bid
During an open RFP, after reviewing the program guidelines and completing the required forms, you may submit your bid.