Did you know that Big Bend Electric Cooperative (BBEC) makes Net Metering available to its members under the provisions of Washington State’s RCW 80.60?
What is Net Metering?
If you have a solar panel that produces electricity or a wind mill with a generator you may be able to work with BBEC to help reduce your electric bill. If your generator produces more electricity than you need, BBEC may be able to “save” that electricity for you to use later.
A “Net Metering System” means a fuel cell, a facility that produces electricity and used and useful thermal energy from a common fuel source, or a facility for the production of electrical energy that:
Uses either water, wind, solar energy, or biogas from animal waste as fuel;
Has an electrical generating capacity of not more than 100 kilowatts;
Is located on the member’s premises and for which BBEC has, at the time of application as member, an active account in the member’s name;
Operates in parallel with BBEC’s distribution facilities; and
Is intended to offset part or all of the member’s requirements for electricity.
Net Metering Standards (PDF)must be followed to interconnect the net metering system to BBEC’s facilities. BBEC measures and records the amount of energy generated by each net metering system. A net metering system can only be used to offset energy needs at the location where the net metering system is connected PLUS up to one additional account as per RCW 80.60.030 (Meter Aggregation), and the “saved” electricity cannot be accumulated for more than 12 months. All Service Availability Fees are still applicable.
You will be required to fill out a Net Metering Application (PDF) for each net metering system. In the application you will need to include the size, location, fuel source, and equipment configuration information for the installation. The application fee is $400. Applications will not be reviewed until the fee has been received.
Any modifications to an existing Net Metering System must also complete an application and pay the $400 fee.
There is a limit on how many net metering systems BBEC can connect. Applications will be processed in the order received by BBEC on a first-come, first-served basis.
You may be eligible for incentive payments on your project through Washington State’s Renewable Energy Incentive Program. See WAC 458-20-273 for details. There is an annual application and $100 fee for this program. Applications will be processed in the order received by BBEC on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited by the above Washington State Code limitations.
Make it part of your planning to get in touch with us. We will be happy to help you understand the interconnection standards, application, and the agreement you will need to have with BBEC.
