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Connecticut Net Metering

Information for customers who generate their own electricity with renewable energy sources.

Note: the Connecticut Net Metering Program is closed to new enrollment, however you might be interested in our new Renewable Energy programs.

If you have questions, please call 844-726-7573.

Customers Currently Enrolled in Net Metering

The Eversource Class I Net Metering program is for customers who generate their own electricity with a renewable energy source (e.g., solar, wind, hydropower or geothermal).

If you are installing distributed generation (e.g., solar panels) that is <2 MW, or already have a generator, you may be eligible for net metering, a method of measuring the energy consumed and produced by a customer’s generating facility.

If you are a customer applying for electrical interconnection, and you want to be considered for net metering, your on-line application is all you need to apply for net metering.

A sample net metering bill (PDF) as well as answers to frequently asked questions (PDF) is also available.

Banking Generation

The balance of your account is updated each month during the standard billing cycle. Usage may be billed, or generation may be “banked” each month over a one-year period.

At the end of your annual banking period, the excess generation is “cashed out” with a bill credit applied to your account. Please note, if an individual’s cash-out is over $600 it is considered taxable income and Eversource will send you a 1099 Misc. tax form.

The kWh banking balance will be reset to zero and the annual cycle begins again with a new banking period.

For customers with solar generation, the annual cash-out is calculated, and credits applied, during an April 1 banking period.

For customers with other renewable technologies, you may choose your cash-out timing to be based on either an April 1 or October 1 banking period.

Pricing

Customers will be reimbursed for any excess kWh at the time of the annual cash-out based on rate defined in Rider N - Class 1 of Eversource's Renewable & Hydroelectric Self Generation Net Energy Billing Service tariff (PDF).

The reimbursed amount will be based on the average hourly Connecticut ISO-New England Real-Time Locational Marginal Price (RT-LMP).  For solar installations, the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the annual period are used to calculate the average.  For all other renewable technologies, all hourly RT-LMPs during the annual period are included in the average.

This RT- LMP is set by ISO-New England as the hourly clearing price of electricity, and takes into account the costs of generation, losses, and congestion. More information can be found on the ISO-New England website.

Virtual Net Metering

Virtual Net Metering offers financial incentives to state, municipal and agricultural customers to encourage the installation of Class I and Class III distributed generation.

Please note, Virtual Net Metering is a capped program by sector (Agriculture, Municipal, State). More information about the status of the Virtual Net Metering Annual Credit Caps (PDF) is available.

Please save your completed application as a PDF file and email it to distributed_resources@eversource.com. You can also mail a copy to the address noted on the application.

The detailed Virtual Net Metering Pricing sheets can be found below:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is net metering?

Net metering is a method of measuring the energy consumed by a customer and the surplus energy produced by his or her generator.

How much does it cost to have a net meter installed?

There is no additional charge to install a net meter.

Who qualifies for net metering?

The Net Metering Tariff – Rider N Class I (PDF) is available to any Class I renewable energy resource or hydropower facility whose generating capacity is less than or equal to 2,000 kilowatts (2 MW).

What will my Eversource residential bill include if I produce more kWh than I need?

For customers who have excess generation, a residential bill will include a customer charge. Also, required by Connecticut law, if the customer’s generating unit has a name plate capacity greater than 10 kW, the Competitive Transition Assessment (CTA) and Systems Benefit Charge (SBC) will also be charged based on the kWh purchased from Eversource or your electric supplier.

What is an “EDC?”

The electric distribution company, in this case Eversource.

What is the rate I pay for any energy consumption when I use more than I generate?

Standard approved PURA rates apply to any consumption beyond what you cover with your own generation.

Am I paid for my excess generation at the same rate I am charged for consumption?

No. Any excess kWhs at the time of the annual cash-out will be reimbursed based on the average hourly Connecticut ISO-New England Real-Time Locational Marginal Price (RT-LMP). For solar installations, the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the annual period are used to calculate the average. For all other renewable technologies, all hourly RT-LMPs during the annual period are included in the average. This is specified in the PURA-approved Rider N (PDF) of Eversource’s tariff.

Who determines the average hourly Connecticut ISO-New England RT-LMP?

The RT-LMP is calculated by ISO-New England on an hourly basis. Eversource uses that information to determine the average price over the period specified. This RT-LMP is set by ISO-New England as the hourly clearing price of electricity, and takes into account the costs of generation, losses, and congestion. More information can be found on the ISO-New England website.

What are recent cash-out prices?

The cash-out prices used over the last few years are shown here (.xls file download).

Can I expect the same energy generation every month?

No, based on the type of equipment you have installed, the changing of the seasons, and a variety of other variables that change over time, you may see fluctuations in your monthly generation. Your generation installer/contractor may have additional information.

Once I am approved by Eversource for net metering, how long do I have to stay in the program?

Customers may leave the Net Metering program with 30 days’ written notice. If the generating facility fails to operate for any consecutive 12-month period, or there are violations of Eversource’s Interconnection Guidelines, the customer may not remain in the Net Metering program.

What happens if I move and have banked kWh?

When a customer moves with banked kWh, he or she is cashed out at the ISO RT-LMP pricing, based on relevant hours between the start of the banking period (solar: April 1st) and the date of the move.

If I move into a home with solar, am I automatically part of the Net Metering Program?

No. At the time you are transferring the Eversource account into your name, you will have an opportunity to continue net metering at your location. You are requested to complete an Interconnection Transfer form and agree to comply with the terms of the Interconnection Guidelines.

How can I determine how much energy I used at my location during any given period?

Due to the “netting” that is occurring within the Eversource meter itself, no single reading gives you the actual usage at the location. You will actually need readings from both your Eversource, and generating technology meters. The basic formula for determining how much energy was used by the building during a given period of time is:

kWh generated (generator) during a specific period of time + [plus] kWh purchased, shown on the Eversource meter (ID 04), during that period of time - [minus] sales, shown on the Eversource meter (ID 10), during that period of time = [equals] kWh used by the building during that period of time

To use this formula, determine the period of time you will be using when taking your readings, for example, daily, weekly or monthly. The generation and usage will be identified as the difference of readings between two periods.

  1. At the starting point, take the reading on your generation meter and take the readings on ID 04 and ID 10 on the Eversource net meter.
  2. Take reading at next determined interval on each of the generation meter and ID 04 and ID10 on the Eversource net meter.
  3. Subtract the first reading from the second reading taken at each of the meters, and apply the formula.

Have Questions?

For questions about Net Metering Billing in Connecticut please email BusinessCenterCT@eversource.com.

Solar billing: 888-783-6617

Documents can be faxed to 888-810-5678.