Mo. Code Regs. tit. 20 § 4240-20.065
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 21, November 1, 2024.
Section 20 CSR 4240-20.065 - Net MeteringPURPOSE: This amendment simplifies and improves rules by streamlining and eliminating duplicative requirements and provides clarity language.
(1) Definitions. (A) Terms defined in 386.890, RSMo shall have the same meaning for purposes of this rule, unless further defined in this rule. Terms defined in 20 CSR 4240-20.100 shall have the same meaning for purposes of this rule.(B) Avoided fuel cost means the incremental costs to the electric utility of electric energy, but for the purchase from the customer-generator, the utility would generate itself or purchase from another source. Avoided fuel cost is used to calculate the electric utility's standard rate for purchase from systems less than one hundred (100) kilowatts pursuant to 20 CSR 4240-20.060. The information used to calculate this rate is provided to the commission biennially and maintained for public inspection(C) Customer-generator means the owner or operator of a qualified electric energy generation unit that meets all of the following criteria: 1. Is powered by a renewable energy resource;2. Is an electrical generating system with a capacity of not more than one hundred kilowatts (100 kW);3. Is located on premises that are owned, operated, leased, or otherwise controlled by the customer-generator; 4. Is interconnected and operates in parallel phase and synchronization with an electric utility and has been approved for interconnection by said electric utility;5. Is intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer-generator's own electrical energy requirements; 6. Meets all applicable safety, performance, interconnection, and reliability standards established by the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Underwriters Laboratories, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and any local governing authorities; and 7. Contains a mechanism that automatically disables the unit and interrupts the flow of electricity onto the electric utility's electrical lines whenever the flow of electricity to the customer-generator is interrupted.(D) Distribution system means facilities for the distribution of electric energy to the ultimate consumer thereof.(E) Electric utility means every electrical corporation as defined in section 386.020(15), RSMo, subject to commission regulation pursuant to Chapter 393, RSMo(F) Operational means all of the major components of the on-site system have been purchased and installed on the customer-generator's premises and the production of rated net electrical generation has been measured by the electric utility. If a customer has satisfied all of the System Completion Requirements by June 30 of indicated years, but the electric utility is not able to complete all of the company's steps needed to establish an Operational Date on or before June 30, the rebate rate will be determined as though the Operational Date was June 30. If it is subsequently determined that the customer of the system did not satisfy all Completion Requirements required of the customer on or before June 30, the rebate rate will be determined based on the Operational Date. (2) Applicability. This rule applies to electric utilities and customer-generators.(3) Electric Utility Obligations. (A) In addition to the Electric Utility Obligations set forth in section 386.890, RSMo, the Electric Utility shall describe in its tariffs the calculation of net electrical energy measurement.(4) Customer-Generator Liability Insurance Obligation. (A) Customer-generator systems greater than ten kilowatts (10 kW) shall carry no less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) of liability insurance, unless for good cause shown, that provides for coverage of all risk of liability for personal injuries (including death) and damage to property arising out of or caused by the operation of the net metering unit. Insurance may be in the form of an existing policy or an endorsement on an existing policy.(B) Customer-generator systems ten kilowatts (10 kW) or less shall not be required to carry liability insurance.(5) Qualified Electric Customer-Generator Obligations.(A) Each qualified electric energy generation unit used by a customer-generator shall meet all applicable safety, performance, interconnection, and reliability standards established by any local code authorities, the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for distributed generation; including, IEEE 1547a-2014, UL 1703-2002, and UL 1741-2010.(B) The electric utility may require that a customer-generator's system contain a switch, circuit breaker, fuse, or other easily accessible device or feature located in immediate proximity to the customer- generator's metering equipment that would allow an electric utility worker the ability to manually and instantly disconnect the unit from the electric utility's distribution system.(C) No customer shall connect or operate an electric generation unit in parallel phase and synchronization with any electric utility without written approval by said electric utility that all of the requirements under subsection (7)(A) of this rule have been met. For a customer-generator who violates this provision, an electric utility may immediately and without notice disconnect the electric facilities of said customer-generator and terminate said customer-generator's electric service.(D) A customer-generator's facility shall be equipped with sufficient metering equipment that can measure the net amount of electrical energy produced and consumed by the customer-generator. If the customer-generator's existing meter equipment does not meet these requirements or if it is necessary for the electric utility to install additional distribution equipment to accommodate the customer-generator's facility, the customer-generator shall reimburse the electric utility for the costs to purchase and install the necessary additional equipment. At the request of the customer-generator, such costs may be initially paid for by the electric utility, and any amount up to the total costs and a reasonable interest charge may be recovered from the customer-generator over the course of up to twelve (12) billing cycles. Any subsequent meter testing, maintenance, or meter equipment change necessitated by the customer-generator shall be paid for by the customer-generator.(E) Each customer-generator shall, at least once every year, conduct a test to confirm that the net metering unit automatically ceases to energize the output (interconnection equipment output voltage goes to zero (0)) within two (2) seconds of being disconnected from the electric utility's system. Disconnecting the net metering unit from the electric utility's electric system at the visible disconnect switch and measuring the time required for the unit to cease to energize the output shall satisfy this test.(F) The customer-generator shall maintain a record of the results of these tests and, upon request, shall provide a copy of the test results to the electric utility. 1. If the customer-generator is unable to provide a copy of the test results upon request, the electric utility shall notify the customer-generator by mail that the customer-generator has thirty (30) days from the date the customer-generator receives the request to provide the results of a test to the electric utility.2. If the customer-generator's equipment ever fails this test, the customer-generator shall immediately disconnect the net metering unit.3. If the customer-generator does not provide the results of a test to the electric utility within thirty (30) days of receiving a request from the electric utility or the results of the test provided to the electric utility show that the unit is not functioning correctly, the electric utility may immediately disconnect the net metering unit.4. The net metering unit shall not be reconnected to the electric utility's electrical system by the customer-generator until the net metering unit is repaired and operating in a normal and safe manner.(6) Net Metering Rates. Each electric utility shall file on or before January 15 of each odd-numbered year for the commission's approval in the electric utility's tariff, a rate schedule with a net metering rate that is the same rate as the utility's cogeneration rate. The electric utility's cogeneration rate is filed for the commission's approval in the electric utility's tariff on or before January 15 of every odd-numbered year as required in 20 CSR 4240-3.155 Requirements for Electric Utility Cogeneration Tariff Filings section (4). The cogeneration rate is stated in dollars per kilowatt-hour or cents per kilowatthour on the cogeneration rate tariff sheet and, likewise, the net metering rate shall be stated in dollars per kilowatt-hour or cents per kilowatt-hour on the net metering rate tariff sheet.(7) Interconnection Application. (A) Each customer-generator and electric utility shall enter into the interconnection agreement included herein. 1. The interconnection application shall include a signature page for the customer and solar installer to indicate acknowledgment of the entire interconnection application. It is permissible to sign the signature page with an electronic signature.2. If the electric utility so chooses, it may allow customers to apply electronically through the electric utility's website. A. The interconnection application on the electric utility's website shall substantially be the same as the interconnection application included herein.B. The electronic application shall be submitted, or made available in test mode, to the manager of the Energy Unit of the staff Page 1924 Orders of Rulemaking for review by staff prior to being placed on the electric utility's website.C. The electric utility shall notify the manager of the Energy Unit of the staff of any revisions to the electronic application on its website within ten (10) working days of when the electronic application is revised.(8) Annual Net Metering Report. Each year prior to April 15, every electric utility shall- (A) Submit an annual net metering report to the commission, including the following information for the previous calendar year:1. The total number of customer-generator facilities connected to its distribution system;2. The total estimated generating capacity of customer-generators that are connected to its distribution system; and3. The total estimated net kilowatt-hours received from customer-generators.(B) Supply to the manager of the energy department of the commission a copy of the standard information regarding net metering and interconnection requirements provided to customers or posted on the electric utility's website;(C) Verify compliance with 10 CSR 4240-20.060(11)(C) 1. for customer-generator systems; and(D) As soon as reasonably possible after the electric utility files its annual net metering report, the commission will place the electronic copies of each electric utility's annual net metering reports on the commission's website in order to facilitate public viewing, as appropriate.(9) As soon as reasonably possible after the electric utility files its annual net metering report, the commission will place the electronic copies of each electric utility's annual net metering reports on the commission's website in order to facilitate public viewing, as appropriate.AUTHORITY: section 386.250, RSMo 2000, and section 386.890.9., RSMo Supp. 2013.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 240-20.065. Original rule filed March 11, 2003, effective Aug. 30, 2003. Amended: Filed June 17, 2008, effective Feb. 28, 2009. Amended: Filed Feb. 20, 2009, effective Oct. 30, 2009. Amended: Filed Jan. 26, 2012, effective Aug. 30, 2012. Amended: Filed March 25, 2015, effective Nov. 30, 2015. Moved to 20 CSR 4240-20.065, effective Aug. 28, 2019.Amended by Missouri Register December 1, 2020/Volume 45, Number 23, effective 1/29/2021*Original authority: 386.250, RSMo 1939, amended 1963, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 386.890, RSMo 2007.