Renewable Energy Generation Copy

Interested in installing a solar energy system on your home?

To maximize the benefits of having your own solar power system, make sure the electricity it generates is not lost to energy-inefficiency in your home. You probably have a lot of questions and most of them can be answered by reading the information below.

In some locations across HEMC’s service territory, members are no longer able to install solar generation systems that feed energy back onto the cooperative’s power lines. In these areas, so much solar has already been installed that it is not safe for additional power to be fed onto our distribution system. The addition of new solar systems in these areas would overburden the system and cause possible damage or the failure of electrical equipment leading to power outages. Please click HERE to view a map where members can no longer install solar arrays. Those areas are shaded in red. Members who live in areas shaded in yellow on the map may require an interconnect study to be completed before they install solar on their home or business. Please note that the boundaries and substation statuses are approximate, and that further analysis must be completed before approval of an interconnection.  The solar capacity map is subject to change as system conditions change.  Please contact HEMC with any questions at 252-445-5111.

Halifax EMC offers a Renewable Energy Generation electric rate rider (PDF) and Net Metering Rider to residential and nonresidential Members receiving electric service from the Cooperative when a solar or biomass-fueled generation source is installed on the Member’s side of the delivery point and operated in parallel with the Cooperative’s distribution system. The Member must submit an application (PDF) and receive approval prior to interconnection of generating facilities with the Cooperative’s system.

The Nameplate Rating of a residential Member’s generation system must not exceed the estimated maximum monthly kilowatt demand of the residence or 20 KW, whichever is less. The Nameplate Rating of a nonresidential Member’s generation system must not exceed the Member’s maximum monthly kilowatt demand or 50 kW, whichever is less.

Monthly Billing

The Member shall be billed for total energy delivered by the Cooperative to the Member plus any demand or other charges under either the buy-all, sell-all or net metering rate. In addition, the Member will be billed a supplemental charge for separate metering of generation output. The supplemental charge will be equivalent to the Basic Charge applicable for the rate schedule under which the Member chooses to receive service. Credits (reimbursement) for energy output of the Member’s generation will be applied to the chose renewable rate rider.

Metering

The Cooperative will furnish, install, own, and maintain metering to measure the Member’s kilowatt-hour use and peak demand, if applicable, and energy supplied by the Member’s generation. The Cooperative shall have the right to install special metering and load research devices on the Member’s equipment and the right to use the Member’s telephone line for communication with the Cooperative.

Halifax EMC currently offers a buy-all, sell-all metering option which allows a renewable generator to be installed on a separate meter or net-metering which makes use of the existing meter. Under the buy-all, sell-all type of connection, the Member will sell all of the energy produced by the renewable generation system rather than using it in the Member’s home. Under net-metering, any power produced in excess of what is used in the Member’s home will be delivered to the cooperative.

Renewable Energy Credits (Recs)

Upon the Member gaining Renewable Energy Credits certification by the North Carolina Renewable Energy Tracking System, the Cooperative will purchase the certified Renewable Energy Credits from Solar Generation up to 20 kW rated capacity. Each Renewable Energy Credit is equal to 1,000 kilowatt-hours.

Solar Renewable Energy Credits — $2.00 / REC

Requirements

Halifax EMC requires the following steps prior to Interconnection:

  1. Submittal of an interconnection application and applicable fee. View our Interconnection Requirements. and access the application.
  2. Submittal of an electrical one-line diagram depicting the proposed generator.
  3. Submittal of the updated insurance policy showing the additional coverage required.
  4. Submittal of a CPCN or in most cases a Report of Proposed Construction (RPC) as required by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, pursuant to G.S. 62-110.1(g) (PDF): any person who seeks to construct an electric generating facility in North Carolina, and is exempt from the requirement to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity, is required to file a Report of Proposed Construction (RPC) and a notice of completion of the construction of the facility with the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
  5. Submittal of a passed electrical inspection by the county having authority.
  6. Final inspection conducted by Halifax EMC prior to setting a meter.