Net Metering

Net Metering Rebate Program Extended

In 2011-12, the province’s Go Green Fund committed an additional $2.9 million to support environmentally preferred power generation options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Research Council is delivering this program on behalf of Go Green Saskatchewan and SaskPower.  Through their financial support, SRC is able to provide eligible recipients with a reimbursement fee, up to 35 per cent of eligible costs (maximum eligible project costs are limited to $100,000, which would equate to a maximum payment of $35,000). Projects with generating capacities of 100kW or less that comply with the local utility's net metering policies and enter into net metering contracts with their local electric utilities are eligible for funding under this program. Participants in the program agree to give SRC access to their production data.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs may include:

• Safety/engineering analyses or inspections required for compliance with local utility policies
• Costs required for a bidirectional net meter to be located at the utility connection point
• Energy production meter, separate and distinct from the utility's bidirectional meter
• First-time inter-connection fees
• Costs for relevant permits to set-up and commission equipment
• Start-up capital costs of generating equipment
• Installation costs for generating equipment. NOTE: If other government funding is used to purchase and/or install equipment, funding from SRC will be capped at the point where 100% of the costs have been paid by government sources. 
   

Please note: only fees invoiced by third party contractors will be considered eligible costs.

Generating Equipment

The types of generating equipment currently included in this program are:

• Wind
• Low-impact hydro
• Biomass
• Heat reclaim
• Flare gas and
• Photovoltaic (solar)

Revised Net Metering Rebate Program Application Process

The project partners have implemented some changes to the application process to allow SRC to better forecast the number and amounts of rebates to be issued. The Net Metering Rebate Program application process now includes a registration form and revised submission deadlines as indicated in the table below.

Net Metering Rebate Program Timeline

How to Apply

1) Apply to SaskPower’s Net Metering Program using a Preliminary Interconnection Study (PIS) form available from the SaskPower website. If you are a Saskatoon Light and Power or City of Swift Current Light and Power customer, contact them regarding their application process.

2) Submit a Project Registration form (SRC-NM-PR) to SRC, including a copy of the SaskPower PIS form (see Step 1). SRC will confirm funding availability by providing you with a copy of the Project Confirmation form (SRC-NM-PC) and an applicant ID number within 3 weeks of receiving this form and all required supporting documents. Only Project Registrations, complete with supporting documentation, received by the 2:00 p.m., January 3, 2012 deadline will be considered for funding allocation in the Net Metering Rebate Program.

Supporting documents that must be included:
a. A copy of your Preliminary Interconnection Study (PIS) form as submitted to SaskPower or your local utility, including the single line diagram indicating the proposed location of the production meter
b. A copy of quote from your preferred vendor(s) for the estimated project costs
c. A copy of the estimate of annual energy production of the system (in kWh)

3) Submit the completed Project Confirmation form (SRC-NM-PC) to SRC along with proof of payment for a deposit of at least 10% of the anticipated equipment costs, by 2:00 p.m., March 30, 2012. SRC will send the Request for Rebate form (SRC-NM-RR) to the applicant.

4) Submit the completed Request for Rebate form (SRC-NM-RR) along with proof of payment for:
a. Utility application (PIS) fee
b. Utility construction charges (bi-directional meter)
c. Environmentally preferred energy production  equipment costs
d. Installation costs
e. Production (SRC) meter costs
f. Other third party costs associated with the project

Additional supporting documents that must be included with this form:
g. Copy of your Net Metering Interconnection Agreement
h. Copy of SaskPower Electrical Inspections Permit (J-Form-passed)
This step must be completed by 2:00 p.m., August 31, 2012.

5) Rebate processed and issued.

Please keep in mind that once the funds are disbursed there is no guarantee that additional funds will be allocated to this program. Even if your project meets all the criteria, it can only receive support if the funds are available. Availability of funds is completely dependent on the number and scope of previous successful applicants.

For more information, contact:
Kelly Winder
306-933-6431
net.metering@src.sk.ca