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Home > Electricity Updates > Renewable Technologies
Net Metering
Thinking of using a renewable "green" energy technology to
generate on-site electricity? Hydro One's new Net Metering program offers
residential, farm, and business customers the opportunity to lower their
electricity bills by using environmentally sound Renewable
Energy Technologies ("RETs").
Our new Net Metering program is available to most of our electricity
customers who want to install a Renewable Energy Technology generating
system at their site. These technologies include solar electric panels
(photovoltaic or PV), small wind turbines, and other
approved installations.
The total nameplate rating (maximum output) of the planned installation
of all generators should not exceed 50 kW.
Read through the questions and answers below to learn more; then call
us at 1-877-447-4412 to get connected. You'll need to read and complete
our Net Metering Connection Agreement (link to agreement PDF).
What is Net Metering and how can it help reduce my electricity bill?
Net Metering measures the amount by which the electricity delivered
to you exceeds the electricity you generate, resulting in a "net"
total from which your bill is calculated. In other words, the more electricity
your system produces, the less you'll pay.
Net Metering is for customers looking to reduce their electricity bills
by generating some of their power on-site. You will be billed for the
net amount of electricity you consume over the billing period. It is not
intended for the sale of excess electricity.
Hydro One will not pay you for electricity you inject into the
system that is more than the amount of electricity you take from Hydro
one, over a billing period. In short, you can reduce your bill, or even
cut the electricity-use portion to zero, but you won't get paid for any
"excess" electricity you produce.
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How much money will I save?
Given the size differences and other variables associated with many
Renewable Energy Technologies, it is your responsibility to determine
the savings. It would be impossible for us to predict how much electricity
a system will produce over a given period of time and how much the production
cost will be.
Typically, some renewable energy systems may require relatively high
levels of financial investment to purchase and install the equipment.
In time, however, lower electricity bills can likely offset this investment.
Hydro One assumes no responsibility for the appropriateness or financial
viability of any renewable energy technology.
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What Renewable Energy Technologies are acceptable
for this program?
Renewable Energy Technologies are energy derived from resources that
are renewable or cannot be depleted. The types of RETs eligible for this
program include moving water (hydro, tidal and wave power), biomass, geothermal
energy, solar energy, and wind energy.
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What does it take to get connected to Hydro One's
distribution system?
Approvals
- Hydro One recommends that all generator equipment be certified by
an accredited Canadian authority such as the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA). If it isn't, equipment must be site-certified by an accredited
Canadian agency such as Ontario's Electrical Safety Authority (ESA).
- Installation of all generation facilities must be approved by the
ESA, and proof of this (Connection Authorization) must be provided
to Hydro One prior to connection.
- To comply with Section 84 of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code,
you are required to have an isolation switch (visible, accessible
and lockable) located between the meter and your equipment.
Agreements
Technical
- Generator Protective Relay settings must meet CSA standards.
See Tables listed within our Connection
Agreement (PDF)
Metering Requirements
In order to bill you for the net consumption and maintain compliance
with the requirements of Measurement Canada, meter replacement is required.
Hydro One will replace the meter, and you must pay for the upgrade.
Generator is less than or equal to 10 kW:
A dual register meter will be installed. It will register, separately,
the amount of power consumption from the Hydro One system, and the
amount of generation supplied to the Hydro One system. There will
be no change in meter reading method or frequency. Credit for electricity
generated in the period between meter reads will be incorporated into
your actual meter read bill - not your estimated bills.
Generator is above 10 kW but less than or equal to 50 kW:
An interval meter will be installed. This meter will be read remotely
on a monthly basis. In addition to the cost of this meter replacement,
the customer must meet the following requirements:
- Provide a telephone connection up to the meter installation Network
Interface Device (NID).
- The telephone connection may be either a dedicated line or via
a telephone line switching device
- If using a switching device, you may be asked to submit the technical
specifications to Hydro One to ensure they meet Hydro One requirements.
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Do I need an extra power cut-off switch?
Yes, for compliance with the Ontario Electrical Safety Code generation
connections require the installation of an isolation switch (visible,
accessible and lockable) located between the meter and the customer's
equipment, at a location beside the meter. The installation of an isolation
switch allows utility repair crews to work safely on our distribution
system. For more information about switch details, please refer to Section
84 of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code.
The following tables are generator protective relay settings that meet
CSA standards.
Generator Protective Relay Settings
See Tables listed within our Connection
Agreement (PDF)
- If you are uncertain about your generation equipment's protective
relay settings, please check with your generating equipment supplier.
- Automatic reconnect setting time for your generator is after 5 minutes
of normal voltage and frequency on the Hydro One distribution system.
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What are the metering requirements?
See Metering
Requirements above
What is an interval meter?
- An interval meter is a meter that measures and records the net electricity
you use on a time interval basis e.g. hourly
- An interval meter requires access to your phone line in order to retrieve
data.
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What will be my billing period/frequency?
- If your generator is less than or equal to 10kW, you will have a dual
register meter, and there will be no change in your billing period/frequency.
- If you are using an interval meter, you will be billed monthly. The
meter will be contacted monthly via your telephone line to retrieve
the necessary data.
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What if I want to sell Hydro One my excess generated
power?
Hydro One's Net Metering program does not provide for the purchase of
power generated by you and injected into the system to the extent that
such power exceeds the amount of power taken by you from Hydro One.
In order to connect as a retail generator, a different process is required.
Typical requirements for this connection of a retail generator include:
- Before the proposed generation facility installation is initiated,
you must consult with Hydro One with respect to the proposal.
- This will be a separate connection and account than your load connections.
You must apply to Hydro One to assess the connection and identify the
specific requirements for this connection.
- You must purchase and install a distribution transformer where the
generating system is located.
- You must purchase and install a four-quadrant interval meter, which
then becomes your property, using the services of your own Meter Service
Provider.
- You must obtain a generator licence from the Ontario Energy Board.
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Can I supply my own power needs with my generating
system if Hydro One has a power outage?
If you wish to operate your system during a Hydro One power outage, your
generating system must have special transfer and isolating capabilities
installed. During an outage, your generating facility must be disconnected
from the Hydro One distribution system to protect Hydro One's crews who
are working to repair the disruption. The generating facility may be reconnected
to Hydro One's distribution system only after 5 minutes of normal voltage
and frequency on Hydro One's distribution system.
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How do I get connected to Hydro One's Net Metering
program?
Call us at 1-877-447-4412 and please have the following information ready.
- Your name
- Hydro One account number
- Phone number (home/work)
- Service address (location of generator:lot/concession/township/street
address)
- Size of generator (kW)
- Type of generator (must be renewable energy technology)
- Planned date for starting to generate
After you give us this information, a local Hydro One representative
will contact you.
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Want to know more about Renewable Energy Technologies?
At Hydro One, we promote the installation of renewable energy technologies.
However, we do not provide information on these technologies nor do we
provide any information about or the installation of these technologies.
If you need more information about renewable energy technologies, here
are a number of places to contact:
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