Renewable Energy and Net Metering FAQs
Q. What is renewable energy?
A. Renewable energy is electrical, mechanical, or thermal energy produced from a method that uses one or more of the following fuel sources: hydrogen, biomass, solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, ocean energy, waste heat, or hydroelectric power. Renewable energy sources are readily replenished through natural processes and thus considered beneficial to the environment.
Q. Does Gulf Power Company allow customers who install renewable generation to interconnect with their grid?
A. Yes, as long as the interconnection follows procedures established to protect our customers and Gulf Power Company.
Q. How does the net metering interconnection process work?
A. After a customer's renewable generation is installed AND inspected by the local code official the following process occurs:
- Customer completes and forwards Standard Interconnection Application and required documentation to Gulf Power
- Gulf Power reviews Standard Interconnection Application /documentation and forwards customer Interconnection Agreement
- Customer signs and returns Interconnection Agreement to Gulf Power
- Gulf Power schedules and conducts inspection
- Upon successful inspection, Gulf Power installs appropriate metering equipment and updates customer's billing data
- Gulf Power authorizes Customer to interconnect via letter
Q. If I install some type of renewable generation, what will "net metering" mean to me as far as my generation, usage and billing goes?
A. If you decide to install renewable generation at your home or business and it meets the requirements for a Standard Interconnection Agreement under a Tier 1, 2 or 3 system, Gulf Power Company will install, if applicable, the appropriate metering at your premise. Any excess energy (kWh) received by Gulf Power from your renewable generation will be accumulated and used to offset energy (kWh) delivered to you by Gulf Power for a period of not more than 12 months. At the end of each calendar year, any unused excess energy (kWh) from your renewable generation would be credited to you using an average annual rate based on Gulf Power's avoided cost of energy throughout the year (COG-1 Schedule).
Q. Why does Gulf Power recommend a manual disconnect switch for Tier 1 renewable generation interconnected customers, even though it is not required?
A. The manual disconnect switch allows the flow of energy from the customer's renewable generation source to be completely isolated from the Gulf Power grid without interrupting the flow of energy the customer receives from Gulf Power. Without a manual disconnect, it may be necessary to remove the meter in order to isolate the customer's renewable generation source, thus leaving the customer without service from Gulf Power.
Q. What is meant by the term "customer-owned renewable generation"?
A. "Customer-owned renewable generation" refers to an electric generating system located on a customer's premises that is primarily intended to offset part or all of the customer's electricity requirements with renewable energy.
Q. Can I net meter with my whole house generator?
A. No. Whole house backup generators are not designed to operate in parallel with Gulf Power's electrical distribution system. Any attempt to net meter this type of generation is extremely dangerous and against the law.
Q. Are there specific regulations and building requirements that I should know about before installing renewable generation at my home?
A. There may be specific city, county, state or federal requirements for renewable generation particularly if you are considering applying for incentives or rebates; however, Gulf Power has specific requirements for interconnection to our grid. If you are interested in renewable generation and interconnecting to the Gulf Power grid, please follow this link.
Q. Will Gulf Power know the total generation of my renewable energy system?
A. No. The meter that is used to register the net metering data for your usage and generation, will only capture what you are receiving from Gulf Power and the EXCESS generation you are delivering to Gulf Power AFTER the load requirements have been met for your home or business.
Q. What is the purpose of the application fee required for the Tiers 2 and 3 on the Standard Interconnection Application for Customer-Owned Renewable Generating Systems?
A. Due to the additional complexity and potential impacts of these larger systems, a $477 application fee is required to cover the application review, technical analysis and on-site inspection for renewable generation systems greater than 10 kW.
Other Helpful Web sites:
The Florida Solar Energy Center site www.fsec.ucf.edu
Department of Energy site www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/photovoltaics.html
Solar Installation Calculator www.FindSolar.com
Still Have Questions...Contact Our Renewable Specialist at 850-444-6152.
