PG&E California Solar Initiative (CSI) & Net Energy Metering (NEM) Interconnection Webinar March 26, 2009
Goals Update of PG&E s CSI incentive program Overview of PG&E s NEM interconnection process What you need to know about NEM interconnections Why systems over 30 kw need to be identified Helpful resources to reduce Interconnection turnaround time Q&A 1
PG&E and our Business What we do: Deliver safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible gas and electricity to approximately 15 million Californians Electric and gas distribution customers Electric transmission circuits 5.1 MM electric 4.2 MM gas 18,610 miles Gas transmission backbone 6,136 miles Electric generation capacity 6,000 MW 2
PG&E as a Partner and Solutions Provider PG&E Portfolio Solution Reduce Energy Use Partnership Education ClimateSmart Outreach Renewable Power Supply 3
PG&E s 2008 Electric Delivery Mix --on average over 50% of the energy PG&E delivers comes from sources that emit almost no carbon dioxide 4
We re Committed to Energy Efficiency Over the past 30 years, California per capita energy use has remained relatively flat compared to the 50% increase in U.S. per capita energy use. 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 1960 1962 1964 California United States 1966 1968 1970 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 Source: California Energy Commission 5
PG&E Customer-side Solar Activities Management of the California Solar Initiative Management of the New Solar Homes Partnership Partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build solar communities Teaching children through our Solar Schools program Creating clean solar energy at our own facilities Helping create Major League Baseball s first solar ballpark Connected more solar customers than any other utility in the county roughly 50% of total solar installed 6
SB 1 3000 MW Goal CPUC Existing Residential Existing Commercial Commercial New Construction 1. California Solar Initiative (CSI) Existing Low Income Low Income Solar (LISP) CEC Residential New Construction 4. New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) 2. Multi-family 3. Single Family Program Administrators Grid Alternatives Program Administrators PG&E PG&E 7
What is CSI? The California Solar Initiative provides a financial incentive for the installation of solar on a home or business. CSI incentives vary by incentive type, customer segment and system size. Incentive amounts gradually reduce over time. First funding is reserved, then once installation is complete, the incentive payment is made. 8
CSI Incentive Rates (Original Allotment) Incentive structure: Rebates automatically decline based upon reservations reserved Higher rebates for non-taxable entities PG&E (MW) EPBB Payments (per Watt) PBI Payments (per kwh) Step Res Non-Res Residential Commercial Gov't / Nonprofit Residential Commercial Gov't / Nonprofit 1 - - n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 10.1 20.5 $2.50 $2.50 $3.25 $0.39 $0.39 $0.50 3 14.4 29.3 $2.20 $2.20 $2.95 $0.34 $0.34 $0.46 Res Non Res 4 18.7 38.1 $1.90 $1.90 $2.65 $0.26 $0.26 $0.37 5 23.1 46.8 $1.55 $1.55 $2.30 $0.22 $0.22 $0.32 6 27.4 55.6 $1.10 $1.10 $1.85 $0.15 $0.15 $0.26 7 31 62.9 $0.65 $0.65 $1.40 $0.09 $0.09 $0.19 8 36.1 73.2 $0.35 $0.35 $1.10 $0.05 $0.05 $0.15 9 41.1 83.4 $0.25 $0.25 $0.90 $0.03 $0.03 $0.12 10 50.5 102.5 $0.20 $0.20 $0.70 $0.03 $0.03 $0.10 9
Solar to Date PG&E territory represents approximately 50% of all grid-tied solar systems in the United States CSI Program success Over 13,000 Projects Received Over 9,000 Projects Completed totaling over $200 Million in incentives paid Continuous improvements made to streamline process Reduced paperwork by 50% 10
Generation Interconnection Services Point of contact for customer (or authorized agent) to interconnect any generation. Coordinates interconnection activities, including engineering reviews, metering, access issues, and customer contracts. Issues Permission To Operate. Provides for two main types of solar interconnections: NEM and non-nem options for the customer. Initiates NEM Billing Process through the interconnection process. 11
Net Energy Metering Support for Solar Net Metering Exports to utility grid are valued at retail electricity rate No standby charges No interconnection study fees Exemption from Nonbypassable Charges 12
Cumulative PG&E Solar Interconnections Almost 29,000 grid tied solar installations Roughly 50% of all grid tied in US More than 290 MW 35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 *as of February 2009 13
1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 Total NEM Interconnections 14 Monthly Interconnections January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 2007 2008 2009
Interconnection Application/Agreement The CPUC approved a new NEM Interconnection Application and Agreement. The new application is online and should be used immediately. Old forms will no longer be accepted after March 31, 2009 15
Field Inspection Check system to ensure built as designed on Single Line Diagram (SLD) (Expanded NEM Projects only). Verify that meter location/disconnect is safe for PG&E personnel access (free from unrestrained animals, locked gates, etc ). Verify installation of AC disconnect and appropriate signage (Expanded NEM). Install bi-directional meter (NEM customers). Install Net Gen Output Meter (NGOM) for PBI, if requested. 16
Timeline and commonly missed items NEM projects Over 96% of systems are interconnected within 12 business days upon receipt of all required paperwork and project passes first inspection. What can slow an application down? Project size (over 30 KW) does not qualify for Standard NEM. Meter must match that which is tied to application. Final building permit (BP) does not match application address. Single Line Drawing (SLD) has no equipment information: make, model, rating, or how many PV modules are connected to each inverter. 17
Items that slow down the process Disconnect Access Customer s bi-directional meter must be installed in a safe, 24/7 PG&E-accessible location, unobstructed by locked gates or pets. Meter access must be maintained at all times for reading/system maintenance. Any animals owned by the customer, including pet dogs, should not have access to these areas to avoid hindering PG&E service personnel from completing their work. 18
Other items that slow down the process Application has no rate schedule. Application does not match PG&E Bill account name. Call:1-800-743-5000 to add name to acct Account number does not match PG&E Bill. Meter access issues: unrestrained animals, gates, locked doors. (No self-read meters for Time of Use rates). Reprogram cost of $228 for Time of Use (TOU) not included. 19
Systems over 30 kw All PV systems require an engineering review Systems over 30 kw or multiple homes may impact the local electric circuit operations; requiring PG&E equipment changes Infrastructure changes may require long lead items or construction Advise PG&E of planned installation time and get system in the queue 20
PG&E GIS Acronyms NEM: Net Energy Metering NGOM: Net Generation Output Meter PTO: Permission To Operate SCSC: Solar Customer Service Center BP: Signed Off Building Permit POI: Proof of Insurance AC Disco: Alternating Current Generator Disconnect (Not DC or Inverter Disconnect) SLD: Single Line Drawing TOU: Time of Use Rate or Meter ESP: Energy Service Provider OAS: Otherwise Applicable (rate) Schedule 21
PG&E Resources Standard NEM: http://www.pge.com/standardnem/ Expanded NEM: http://www.pge.com/expandednem/ PG&E Solar Website: www.pge.com/solar PG&E CSI Website: www.pge.com/csi GIS Hotline: Email: gen@pge.com, or (415) 972-5676 Solar Customer Service Center (SCSC): (877) 743-4112 22
Questions or Comments?