If a member produces excess electricity that their home doesn’t need, it goes back to the grid where Buckeye Power, our generation provider, purchases that electricity and gives a credit to the member on their next electric bill. The excess generation rates, as determined by Buckeye Power, are volatile over the years as noted in this graph:
No, you will not receive a letter. The member has permission to operate their solar array once the bi-directional meter is installed. It is also stated in the Interconnection Agreement signed by the Authorized Party that they have permission to operate.
Power Purchase Agreements. Ohio Revised Code prohibits Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in South Central Power territory.
Leases. Leased solar arrays are allowed in South Central Power territory as a financing option, not as a PPA.
Renewable Energy Credits. Members can sell their renewable resources in the market known as a Renewable Energy Certificates or Credits (REC) or Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC).
A member inquiry to South Central Power regarding solar interconnection will trigger the process. Member will provide limited information to South Central Power for the process, such as total inverter size and installer contact info. South Central Power will prepare an application and related documents for the member.
South Central Power will communicate and meet with member directly. No interaction between South Central Power and installers will be needed.
Member agrees with load side interconnection beyond the first means of disconnect.
Member will provide South Central Power’s instructions to their installer for interconnection fee payment, if applicable.
Installation cannot begin until documents are fully executed and interconnection fee is received. If removal of a meter is necessary during the interconnection installation, member must contact South Central Power at 800-282-5064 to schedule a temporary disconnect for the work to be performed safely.
The generating facility should not be in operation prior to the bi-directional meter installation.
After solar installation, member will self-certify that all national, state, local and other applicable electric codes were followed. Installers should provide certification documentation to the member.
South Central Power will schedule bi-directional meter installation after interconnection fee, self-certification, and previous documents are received and fully executed. Permission to Operate (PTO) is automatically granted to the member after the bi-directional meter is installed.
South Central Power has the right to perform an audit of the solar installation and related documents at any time. Installers should provide documentation to member for the member’s records.
Residential (<25 kW-AC) and non-residential (<100 kW-AC) accounts have an identical process and documents, except applicable rate schedules are used.
Effective March 1, 2022, South Central Power transitioned from net metering to net billing.
This means that Buckeye Power will be purchasing excess generation at a rate established annually by Buckeye Power that reflects the true cost of the energy to the Cooperative's membership.
Net billing settles each hour, so if the amount your home needs is less than the amount you generate, you will have excess generation for that single hour.
