Harnessing the Power of the Sun Did you know that every hour more energy from the sun hits the earth than the world uses in an entire year? Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems absorb this energy and convert it into electricity. This electricity can be used to power homes and businesses. Sizing a PV system to meet your needs is an important first step in determining your overall investment and payback. Your solar contractor will be able to assist you in sizing your system appropriately. While a system that is too big will increase your upfront capital costs and the amount of power you export to the grid. This will decrease the overall cost effectiveness of your solar investment while extending the payback period. Your current and future energy goals are key factors to consider. This step is a great time to consider improving your energy efficiency, or adding a heat pump or electric vehicle charger. Net Metering NHEC supports our members who choose to install renewable generation at their home or business. During certain hours, your PV system may generate more electricity than you can use. Net metering is the way that members are compensated for this surplus generation that is exported onto NHEC’s distribution system. Each month, members pay for the electricity they import from NHEC, net the credit for the surplus electricity they export. As a member-owned, non-profit, cooperative, NHEC’s net metering rates are based on the savings that all members realize through the purchase of this electricity. Exports from members’ PV systems allow NHEC to avoid purchasing electricity from the regional wholesale market. In addition, depending on when the export occurs, it can also help reduce other regional charges that all members pay, like transmission and capacity. Please reference NHEC’s Terms and Conditions Section X – Net Metering and Schedule of Rates and Fees for more information regarding our interconnection policies, the rates that members will be charged, and the compensation they will receive for exports. We strongly recommend net metering members become familiar with the information contained within these documents. . i Interconnection Net Metering Application 2024 Solar & Battery Interconnection Application If you are planning to install an interconnection-facility and connecting to NHEC’s grid, you must receive approval from us. This Application package assists us with evaluating your proposed interconnection-facility and to ensure its operation will not adversely affect our electrical distribution system. Before you begin the application process… Finalize your interconnection-facility plans, with your contractor, read NHEC’s Terms and Conditions in particular, Section X – Net Metering Review the net metering rates in NHEC’s Schedule of Rates. Step 1 - Begin Your Application Process Interconnection Application Form – This two-page form lists applicant, project site, generator, inverter data, contractor, and electrician info. Step 1 form must be fully completed, submitted, reviewed, and accepted by NHEC prior to installation. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. Step 1 – 2024 Interconnection Application here Battery Storage Form – Please complete this form before installing a battery storage/battery backup as part of your proposed interconnection facility or if you are adding to an existing interconnection facility. Battery Storage / Backup Supplemental Form One-Line Drawing – Please include a one-line diagram of the proposed interconnection facility installation. One-Line Diagram Form One-Line Drawing Example Step 2 - Supporting Documents Completion Forms – These forms must be submitted after the project is installed and tested by the electrician. Step 2 – Interconnection Application Completion Form Mutual Identity Agreement Form Renewable Energy Certificate Member Agreement Photo documentation of the project is required to be submitted with Step 2. Central inverter and/or micro-inverter nameplate Battery equipment nameplate Utility-accessible disconnect Net meter & production meter equipment labeling as directed by Step 2 Production meter equipment height measured with tape from grade Production meter equipment location showing no LP gas tanks or LP gas regulators within 10 feet. Installer Completion Checklist – The completed checklist shall be submitted to NHEC with Step 2 (COC) by the solar contractor to initiate the inspection and meter swap scheduling by an NHEC technician Installer Completion Checklist Form Step 3 - Submit Your Documents Submit interconnection documents by email to: interconnection@nhec.com Submit general correspondence by email, mail, or fax to: New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, Inc. Attn: Scott C. McNeil 579 Tenney Mountain Highway Plymouth, NH 03264 Phone – 603-536-8608 / Fax – 603-536-8698 mcneils@nhec.com Step 4 - NHEC Site Visit We’ll visit the installation to check compliance with our standards. If compliant, we’ll replace the existing meter with a net meter that measures both energy used and excess energy produced. This initial visit is free of charge whether the system is compliant or not. If during our initial visit it is deemed the system is not compliant, notification will be made noting the steps to bring the system into compliance. Once updates are completed an NHEC technician must revisit to ensure compliance. For each return visit the member will be assessed a $320 interconnection site visit fee. Calculating Solar Electricity generated from a PV system that powers a home or business allows members to avoid purchases from NHEC’s distribution system, which are at the retail rate – the full cost of delivered electricity. Surplus electricity that is not used onsite and exported to NHEC’s distribution system is compensated at a rate that is based upon the savings this electricity provides to all NHEC members, not the retail rate. This rate also recognizes that members use NHEC’s distribution system when they export electricity. The net metering rate may change over the course of the year, as NHEC’s cost to purchase electricity from the regional wholesale market, or other regional charges, increase or decrease. Net metering members’ delivered and exported rates will reflect these changes. For example, if the regional cost of electricity decreases, then NHEC’s Co-op Power rate will also decrease. Net metering members will also see a decrease in the cost of electricity they import, and will also see a decrease in their credit for exported electricity. Likewise, if NHEC’s cost to purchase electricity increases, then the Co-op Power import rate will increase, as will the net metering credit for exported energy. The following calculator illustrates how members’ are compensated for electricity exported to NHEC’s distribution system. Solar Calculator Hosting Capacity The Hosting Capacity Map is a tool that helps both our members, installers, and developers with the interconnection process. It shows graphically on a map what the hosting capacity of the NHEC system is at each point in the system. It also provides information about substation, voltage and phase that can be useful. Hosting Capacity Map i Understanding Your Net Metering Bill Net metering members will see three separate readings on their monthly bill. For example, a Residential member would see: N01A – The amount of electricity NHEC delivered to your home N02A – The amount of electricity that your PV system exported to NHEC’s distribution system PVN – This is the total amount of electricity generated by your PV system T Other Considerations Net Meter: NHEC will replace your existing meter with a net meter during the interconnection process. This meter allows NHEC to measure the amount of energy delivered by NHEC to your home or business, as well as any excess energy that is produced by your PV system and exported to the electrical grid. Your Bill: You will remain an NHEC member after installing a solar or other renewable energy system and will continue to receive a monthly bill. Moving: If you decide to move and had previously installed Solar PV, the value of the system is typically incorporated into the purchase price of your home. You are required to provide NHEC written notice of property transfer of ownership. Inform Your Energy Supplier: We recommend that you inform your third-party electric supplier (if applicable) of your plans to install Solar PV. Power Outages: Unless you have a backup battery system installed, you will not have power during an outage. Inverters, that are utilized on all interconnected Solar PV systems, are required by code to automatically disconnect from the grid when the utility power goes out. This provides an important safety mechanism that prevents power from feeding back to the lines. u Resources Group Host Annual Report Group Hosting Application