Net Metering Program
The net metering initiative may be used by electricity consumers in Ontario who generate some of their own energy from a renewable resource. Net metering enables you to send surplus electricity from renewable resources to the distribution system for a credit towards your electricity bill. For a successive 12-month period, excess generation credits can be carried forward to offset future electricity bills. Customers with net meters can now combine energy storage with renewable energy systems.
How Do I Get Started?
- Determine the size of the generation unit that will suit your needs: use your prior bills as a starting point to tailor your system to your individual energy demand. Since your credits can only be carried forward for 12 months, oversizing a generation system does not increase the benefits.
- Explore renewable energy options: information can be provided by renewable energy organizations, advisors and suppliers. For urban clients, a solar system may be the best renewable energy choice as wind or water systems require ample space and may not be permitted under zoning regulations. In rural areas, wind, water or agricultural biomass energy may be an option.
- Learn more about the process: The connection procedures for DER projects are outlined in the sections below. Once you have determined your system size, please complete and submit the appropriate Preliminary Consultation Information Request.
| DER Classification | Rating |
|---|---|
| Micro | ≤ 10 kW |
| Small | ≤ 500 kW connected on distribution system voltage < 15 kV |
| ≤ 1 MW connected on distribution system voltage ≥ 15 kV | |
| Mid-Sized | ≤ 10 MW but > 500 kW connected on distribution system voltage < 15 kV |
| > 1 MW but ≤ 10 MW connected on distribution system voltage ≥ 15 kV | |
| Large | > 10 MW |
What Does the Connection Process Look Like?
Micro ≤ 10 kW
Step 1: Submit a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR)
The PCIR form gathers basic information about the proposed project.
Complete a Preliminary Consultation Information Request now.
After receiving a completed PCIR, Renfrew Hydro will issue a Preliminary Consultation Report (PCR). The PCR identifies the feasibility of a connection based on the information provided in the PCIR and the distributor’s knowledge of available capacity at the proposed point of connection.
Step 2: Connection Application Request
If the PCR identifies that there may be connection capacity, the next step is to complete and submit a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) Application.
Complete a Connection Request Form now.
Step 3: Application Review and Offer to Connect
Renfrew Hydro will perform a more formal assessment of the impact of connecting the generation project to the system and provide its results to the customer. If the customer meets all the requirements, Renfrew Hydro will issue a Connection Agreement, which will include the estimated costs associated with connecting the generation project.
If the applicant decides to proceed with the installation, payment for the fees outlined in the Connection Agreement must be submitted to Renfrew Hydro, along with a signed copy of the Agreement.
Note: the applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits.
Step 4: Authorization to Connect
The applicant must provide a copy of the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) Connection Authorization to Renfrew Hydro before an appointment can be scheduled for the installation of a bi-directional meter.
Small, Medium and Large (> 10 kW)
Step 1: Submit a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR)
The PCIR form gathers basic information about the proposed project.
Complete a Preliminary Consultation Information Request now.
After receiving a completed PCIR, Renfrew Hydro will issue a Preliminary Consultation Report (PCR). The PCR identifies the feasibility of a connection based on the information provided in the PCIR and the distributor’s knowledge of available capacity at the proposed point of connection.
Step 2: Submit a Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) Application
If the Preliminary Consultation results are positive, the customer may wish to proceed with the connection by submitting a Connection Impact Assessment application form to Renfrew Hydro.
Renfrew Hydro will review your submission and may request additional information through multiple rounds until all requirements are met. Only then will your application proceed. If revisions are not returned within 14 days, your application may be removed from the processing queue and treated as new, upon resubmission. Once your application is accepted, you must submit a signed Statement of Work and payment for the Connection Impact Assessment (CIA).
Step 3: Connection Impact Assessment & Connection Cost Agreement
If your CIA application is successful and the connection is deemed feasible, Renfrew Hydro will conduct a detailed assessment and provide a report outlining: the impact of your project on system reliability and stability, technical requirements for connecting to the distribution system and a cost estimate to complete the connection. If you decide to proceed with the project, you must sign the Connection Cost Agreement and make the required payments.
Renfrew Hydro will reserve system capacity for 180 days while you decide whether to proceed.
Note: Depending on project size, an additional CIA by Hydro One and/or a System Impact Assessment (SIA) by the IESO may be required to evaluate upstream impacts.
Step 4: Design and Build
After the Connection Cost Agreement is signed and payment is made, construction drawings must be finalized. Renfrew Hydro will perform the work required to make the connection. You or your contractor must complete the construction of the generation facility and then apply to the Electrical Safety Authority for an electrical inspection. You must submit final detailed design documents to Renfrew Hydro for review.
Step 5: Commissioning
The customer will provide a commissioning verification report certified by a Professional Engineer. The commissioning report shall be submitted for approval before the operation of the generation project. If applicable, Hydro One’s project manager will co-ordinate all transfer trip and NMS point testing.
Step 6: Connection Agreement
Renfrew Hydro will provide you with a Connection Agreement which you will need to complete and submit prior to energization. A letter of equivalency will also need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer.
Step 7: Authorization to Connect
After the Electrical Safety Authority provides the electrical inspection “Connection Authorization” directly to Renfrew Hydro, the generation facility will be connected to Renfrew Hydro’s distribution system.