When am I eligible to receive net metering credits?
You will be eligible to receive net metering credits only after your unit is authorized to be online and you have provided:
- Evidence that you have received a Cap Allocation from the Administrator of the System of Assurance (see MassACA's website). Simplified systems (less than 10 kW AC single phase and less than or equal to 25 kW AC three phase) are exempt from the Cap Allocation requirement;
- A complete and accurate Schedule Z;
- For agricultural net metering facilities, a determination from the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources that a business is an agricultural business and that the net metering facility is operated as part of that business; and
- For anaerobic digestion net metering facilities, a determination from the Department of Energy Resources (“DOER”), in coordination with the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”), that the facility qualifies under DOER’s regulations as a Class I renewable energy generating source pursuant to DOER’s Renewable Portfolio Standards regulations.
For billing, what are the two types of Net Metering accounts?
There are two types of customers, Host and allocatee. Host customers may produce excess generation. Credits from this generation may be used within the same account, or allocated to other customer accounts (via a Schedule Z form).
How is the total amount of the net metering credit calculated or determined?
In general, the net metering credit is calculated by multiplying excess generation (kWh) by the appropriate rate for each of the following charges:
- Default service fixed charge.
- Distribution charge.
- Transmission charge
- Transition charge
If I have a large credit balance due to net metering credits, can I receive a check?
No. Class I and Class II customers with large credit balances should complete a new Schedule Z form to allocate excess net metering credits to additional electric accounts.
Per the tariff: For any Billing Period that a Host Customer earns Net Metering Credits, the Distribution Company shall allocate Net Metering Credits by applying them to a designated Customer’s account. The Distribution Company shall carry forward, from Billing Period to Billing Period, any remaining Net Metering Credit balance.
If I qualify, how soon would I get a check for the net metering credits? (Class III customers)
It usually takes about three weeks from the point Billing receives the meter reads to the processing of a check by Accounts Payable.
How many times may I submit a new Schedule Z?
A new schedule Z may be submitted twice in a calendar year.
Who qualifies as a Public Entity?
Only the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) can classify participants as municipalities, other government entities or public entities. There is no self-designation available.
- To receive this classification, a participant must file an application with the DPU. The application and instructions are available on the MassACA website. Once approved, the DPU will assign a public entity classification number.
When is a public entity required to obtain official classification from the Mass. Department of Public Utilities?
There are three situations where a municipality or other government entity would need to obtain a classification number from the DPU:
- The public entity wants to apply for net metering.
- The public entity is already taking advantage of net metering.
- The public entity is going to receive net metering credits from a different public entity.
Can I allocate to an Eversource gas account or an Eversource electric account in a different service territory?
No. Net metering credits can be allocated to other electric accounts within the service territory and ISO load zone of the Host Customer account consistent with Section 1.07 of the Net Metering tariff.
Can a customer close their account to cash out the net metering credits?
No. If a customer closes their account, the residual net metering credit will be used to offset net metering recovery surcharges for all customers.
Can a customer partially cash out their credits?
Net Metering Credits will not be cashed out either in full or partially.
Are net metering credits applied or credited to basic service and/or alternate supplier charges?
Yes, if the net metering credit is large enough, it is used to pay off the Host Customer’s distribution and supplier balances in full. If the net metering credit is not large enough to fully pay off the Host Customer’s bill and there is a supplier balance, the credit is split 50/50 for non-low income customers and 35/65 for low income customers.
If there is no supplier balance, e.g. the current supplier balance is zero, and the customer does not allocate the credit, it remains on the distribution portion of the account.
What is the Market Net Metering Credit?
This is a new credit applied to certain customers who install solar generation after Sept. 26, 2016 per legislation that was signed into law in April 2016.
How will the Market Net Metering Credit be calculated?
The Market Net Metering Credit is equal to 60 percent of the distribution, transmission, transition and Basic Service rates per kWh.
When does the new Net Metering Credit become effective?
The Market Net Metering Credit is effective September 26, 2016.
Will all customers receive the New Market Net Metering Credit?
No. Customers who install solar will be exempt from the Market Net Metering Credit if they:
- Submitted an Application for Cap Allocation (ACA) by September 26, 2016 at 2 p.m.
- The ACA was deemed completed by the Administrator of System of Assurance
- The cap allocation was granted by January 8, 2017.
What credit do I get if I am exempt from the new Market Net Metering Credit?
You will continue receiving Net Metering Credits at 100 percent of the distribution (where applicable), transmission, transition and Basic Service rates for 25 years from the date of when your Solar Net Metering Facility goes online.
Does the 25 year limitation apply to all exempt customers?
No. The following customers are exempt from the Market Net Metering Credit for an unspecified number of years until there is a change in the statutory regulations:
- Host customers that are designated by the Department of Public Utilities as a Net Metering Facility of a Municipality or Other Governmental Entity.
- A Class I Net Metering Facility that has a nameplate rating equal to or less than 10 kW on a single-phase circuit; or 25 kW on a three-phase circuit.