Below are standards, a sample agreement, resources, and Frequently Asked Questions related to Distributed Energy Resources.
Hydro Ottawa standards
The applicable standards referred to in the standards below will be provided at the Service Layout or Connection Impact Assessment, as applicable, and subsequent project stages.
ECG0002, Technical Guideline For Customer Owned Standby Generation
ECG0006, Distributed Energy Resource Technical Requirements
GCS0008, Secondary Revenue Metering Specification
Sample Agreement
Micro-Distributed Energy Resource Connection Agreement
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the electricity that I generate accounted for on my electricity bill?
The accounting for electricity on your bill will depend on your subscribed DER program.
However, net metering warrants more detail: the electricity you produce is first used to meet the needs of your home or business. You will receive a non-cash credit for any kilowatt hours you generate and do not use that are transmitted back to the electricity grid. This credit will appear on your electricity bill as a line item noted as ‘Generation Credit Balance’. This credit cannot be redeemed for cash or as payment for other services.
Net metering customers on a Regulated Price Plan (RPP), have their choice of RPP Pricing Plan (Time-of-use, Tiered, or Ultra-low overnight) for consumption and generation. , Generation first reduces your need for electricity from the grid and any excess is registered and credited at the applicable RPP per kWh rates.
For net metering customers on tiered rates, generation first reduces your need for electricity from the grid, and any excess is registered per the tiered rates and credited at the tiered rate kWh rates. For net metering customers on the Ontario Price, the dollar value of the kilowatt hours (kWh) you generate in a billing period is based on variable hourly kWh rates applicable at the same hour of generation. Regardless, any billing variable in the applicable rate class or structure that is based on a kWh value is credited for every kWh generated and used immediately by your loads (because you don’t pay for it) or exported to the grid (because you will see a dollar value credit for use on a future bill within 12 months).
This dollar value becomes a credit that is applied towards variable kWh and kW charges calculated on your bill. This credit cannot be applied to fixed charges, taxes, or other charges that are not kWh or kW based. As a net metered customer, you will continue to be billed for any electricity you use from the electricity grid, as well as for all fixed charges and taxes.
Refer to Ontario Regulation 541 (O.Reg. 541) section 8 for more information.
Alternatively, a separate classification of customer based generation is Load Displacement. In this scenario, a generation facility connected on the customer's side of a connection point is used, or intended to be used, exclusively for the customer’s own consumption. This means the electricity produced directly offsets the customer's demand from the grid, reducing their overall consumption from the utility.
Typically, customers falling under load displacement are participants in other programs or incentives that limit their generation facilities to their exclusive self-use. This might be in exchange for a grant or rebate designed to offset the cost of their installation. Crucially, load displacement customers are not eligible for generation credits and their facilities generally should not be feeding back to the grid. Any electricity generated directly reduces the amount the customer needs to pull from the grid, but any excess is not credited.
What do I have to do to become a Hydro Ottawa net metering customer?
We make it quick and easy to become a net metering customer. When you apply, we first check to make sure there is electricity distribution capacity to connect a DER in your area. Distribution capacity is required to allow you to feed the electricity you generate back into the grid.
Next, your standard meter must be replaced with a bi-directional meter, which does two things. First, a bi-directional meter allows Hydro Ottawa to measure how much electricity was delivered to your home or business from the electricity grid. It also measures how much electricity was fed back into the electricity grid due to excess generation that wasn’t needed to power your home or business. This meter does not measure your generation, only the net amount exported to the utility grid. If you want to know how much your DER generates, you must add a separate meter; your DER may already come with its non-revenue grade metering.
Hydro Ottawa will provide you with the estimated cost (Service Layout quote) to replace your current meter with a bidirectional meter and for any other work required to safely connect your DER to the electricity grid. If you wish to proceed with the connection, you will need to pay Hydro Ottawa for the services outlined in the customer layout quote and then proceed with the next steps as outlined in your quote.
Your service entrance may also need to be upgraded if it doesn’t pass the electrical safety and servicing standards specified in our Conditions of Service under section 2.1.4.
What if I have a contract with an electricity retailer?
If you have a contract with a licensed electricity retailer, please contact your retailer before making any arrangements with Hydro Ottawa to ensure that your agreement allows for net metering. Confirmation from your retailer is required before any net metering installations.
If you are an existing net metering customer and would like to enroll with an electricity retailer, confirmation from a licensed retailer is required to remain a net metering customer with Hydro Ottawa.
What is third-party net metering?
Third party net metering allows a customer to participate in net metering while not owning or operating the renewable generation facility that is generating the electricity.
Regulatory amendments that came into effect July 1, 2022, clarify that customers can access third party ownership arrangements like leasing, renting, financing and power purchase agreements for the provision of renewable generation equipment or to purchase renewable electricity for the purposes of net metering.
These changes also introduce consumer protection measures for electricity retailing and other third party net metering ownership arrangements. To assist customers in making an informed decision, the Ontario Energy Board released Consumer-Facing Materials and Retailer Forms related to third party net metering.
If you are interested in participating in Hydro Ottawa’s net metering program, we encourage you to contact us at your earliest opportunity to ensure that your premise is eligible for net metering.
What is the delivery charge for the electricity that I generate? Is it fixed or variable?
Information about delivery charges is available on our Residential Rates and Conditions page and our Business Rates and Conditions page.
Hydro Ottawa’s distribution rate, included in the delivery charge, represents only a small portion of your bill. Some of these charges are fixed and do not change from month to month. The rest are variable and increase or decrease depending on the electricity you use.
Residential distribution rates are transitioning to a fully fixed charge by January 1, 2020. This is in accordance with the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Residential Rate Change policy.
Can the delivery charge be deducted from the net metering credit? How often is the amount charged?
Net metering credits can only be applied to the portion of the bill subject to a per-kilowatt-hour charge or demand charges (kW) and not the fixed charges. Therefore, the net metering credit can be used against the variable charges within the delivery line but not any fixed charge. Please refer to the provincial legislation under section 8 for more information.
Are there any other charges associated with the net metering program?
Yes. Additional charges include an account setup charge (where there is no existing account), a monthly* service charge, and in some circumstances, an administration charge.
*Starting November 1, 2021, the net metering monthly service charge will no longer be applied to net metered bills until further notice. Future adjustments may be required subject to provincial regulations and legislations, program intake, plus administrative and operational needs.
Other charges that may apply include those listed here.
Does the net metering generation credit expire?
The accumulated credit must be used within 12 months. All credits are written off once credits have accumulated for 12 contiguous months. Any unused credits from a previous month will show on your bill as a line item labelled ‘Generation Credits Carried Forward’. Please refer to section 8 of the legislation for more information.
How will my bill change?
We will continue to read your meter as we do now.
Net metering customers receive a detailed electricity bill, listing the generation credit earned that is based on the generation you supplied to the electricity grid, and the generation credit applied towards your electricity costs in the current billing period.
Other bill line items related to your generation account will also be reflected on your bill.
For a detailed example, please view Hydro Ottawa’s net metering sample bill.
Are there any special requirements that may prevent me from participating in the net metering program?
Yes, there may be circumstances that could limit you from connecting your RET and generating electricity.
These include:
- The size of your service entrance;
- The level of available transformer capacity in your area;
- The capacity or performance constraints on the feeder branch between your RET and the distribution station and transmission system that serves your home or business;
- Lack of evidence that the electricity produced is from a RET;
- Non-compliance with the Net Metering Regulation; and
- Siting restrictions, which came into force July 1, 2018.
How do I apply to the DER programs?
Simply submit a request for a DER connection by filling out a Preliminary Consultation Information Request (PCIR). If you have any general questions, reach out to [email protected].