Member-Owned Generation

This is an opinion and varies from person to person. Some people are interested in supporting the green energy aspect & think solar is a great fit for this, while others feel the cost outweighs the benefits.

KEC cannot recommend an installer. We encourage our members to do their research on installers before selecting one specifically. Some options for research can include online reviews & the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

No. KEC does not sell or install generation systems or equipment. However, KEC does have a community solar project for members who want renewable energy without the upfront investment. Visit https://www.kec.com/kec-community-solar-project for more information.

KEC does not give advice on tax incentives or rebates available for solar or other generation systems. We recommend you check with your accountant or the state of Idaho/Washington for tax incentives.

Kootenai Electric Cooperative (KEC) has a net metering application packet that members must complete to get started. Included in the packet is an interconnection agreement, application for interconnection and a sample of the system design information we require to ensure it will be safely connected to our power grid.

There is a $250 application fee. If we do not have to replace existing infrastructure to accommodate the proposed system size & configuration, then there is no additional cost to interconnect with the power grid. If we do have to upgrade our infrastructure to accommodate the proposed system, then the cost will vary depending on the scope of work. The applicant would be notified of that cost.

Our staff will review the design specs of the proposed system and the capacity of our transformer to confirm it is sufficiently sized to accommodate this request. Once our review is complete the member is notified they can proceed with installation. However, the system cannot be turned on or interconnected to our grid until we perform a final inspection. This is necessary to confirm the system is safely interconnected into our electric grid. Following a passed final inspection, members can begin generating power. KEC will also update the billing rate for the service address to provide credit for excess generation.

KEC staff will review the system’s technical details and drawings to ensure it meets current National Electrical Code (NEC), the applicable standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), KEC’s Electric Service Handbook, KEC’s Policy 3-20, and KEC’s Net Metering Interconnection Standards. They will also ensure an approved AC disconnect and inverter will be installed.

An electrical permit and proof of a passed electrical inspection from the State division of building safety will be required.

On occasion, KEC will need to swap out the meter to a newer style of meter however, we do not install a separate production meter. It is the member’s responsibility to install a separate meter if they would like to measure the production of their system.

Typically, no. However, a system designed with a battery backup may provide short-term power to the member’s location during a power outage. For the safety of utility line workers, a member’s generating resource shall have a manually operated knife-blade type disconnect switch that is readily accessible, visible, and lockable in the open position only, in accordance with National Electrical Code (NEC) 690.13(E).

No. We do not buy back power (send a check to the member) however, any overgeneration can be carried over to the following month. Any over generation will accumulate as “banked” kWh credits on the bill. Once depleted, the remaining energy consumption will be billed at the energy rates of the applicable rate schedule. KEC will not issue payment for any banked kWh.

No. If you generate more electricity than you consumed for the billing month, it is possible not to have a kWh charge on your bill. There will still be a monthly service availability charge on your bill for the connection to the electric power grid as well as applicable taxes and fees. For members with onsite generation, the service availability charge pays for the portion of the system that members rely on to act as the “battery” for their generation.

For members on our budget billing program, your budget amount will still be due every month regardless of how much power is generated, however the current actual balance will reflect the net amount.

Each month KEC’s meter will measure the amount of electricity transferring through the meter to the power grid. Any member generation in excess of their monthly kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumption will accumulate as “banked” kWh credits. During months in which a member’s consumption exceeds the amount generated, available banked kWh credits will be deducted from their account. Once depleted, remaining energy consumption will be billed at the energy rates of the applicable rate schedule. Banked energy credits will be available until consumed.

If a member closes their account, any banked kWh will reduce the kWh energy charge until credits are depleted, or until the kWh energy charge reaches a zero balance, whichever occurs first. Any remaining credits will be forfeited, and credits cannot be used to reduce any other charges on the member’s billing system. KEC will not issue payment for any banked kWh.

No. Banked credits cannot be transferred or combined with another service.

For locations in Idaho, no, banked credits will not expire.

Per Washington state law, banked credits expire March 31 of each year as outlined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 80.60.030.