Member-Owned Generation

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).

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.

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

Per Washington state law, banked credits expire March 31 of each year. 

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

No. If you generate more electricity than you consumed for the billing month, it is possible to not 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. 

For many installations, the only fee required by KEC is the $250 non-refundable application fee. If interconnection of the proposed DG resource requires upgrades to KEC’s infrastructure, the member will be responsible to pay all associated costs prior to completing the interconnection. In that case, KEC staff will provide the member with a construction proposal outlining the costs.  

KEC does not provide any rebates or incentives for member-owned generation. Check out these resources to see if rebates or incentives are available:

Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/homeowners-guide-federal-tax-credit-solar-photovoltaics

State of Idaho: https://oemr.idaho.gov/financial-information/incentives/

Washington Department of Revenue: https://dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/tax-incentives/tax-incentive-programs

No. KEC does not sell or install generation systems or equipment.

A Interconnection Agreement must be completed and returned to KEC along with an application, drawing and technical detail submittal package, and a $250 non-refundable application fee. Download the packet on the left to get started. 

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

KEC’s engineering and staking departments will review the system technical details and drawings to ensure the system 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. Once the review is complete, KEC will contact you to provide information on any applicable design changes, required upgrades and costs, or approval and authorization to proceed with the installation of the solar array.

An electrical permit and passing final inspection from the State division of building safety will be required.

After your DG resource is installed, you will provide KEC with the electrical permit and a passed inspection from the applicable jurisdiction. KEC will then perform a final inspection of the DG resource interconnection for compliance with KEC requirements. Once the final KEC inspection is complete, a net metering enabled meter will be installed at the service location and the account will be changed to a net metering rate schedule.

A meter that is programmed for net metering is required with net metering installations. If the existing meter does not have the required capability, KEC will replace the meter at the KEC service location with one that is capable of net metering.