Frequently Asked Questions
We’re here to help answer your questions. Browse the frequently asked questions below, and if you don’t see what you’re looking for, contact us online or call 1-800-632-6605.
The numbers and assumptions included in some answers below are based on Idaho Power’s current service offering. Ongoing cases with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) could change the billing and compensation structure for on-site generation in the future. Existing residential and small general service on-site generation customers as of Dec. 20, 2019 have been grandfathered into the current offering by the IPUC.
General Questions
What is on-site generation?On-site generation is a service offering available to Idaho Power customers who install electricity-generating equipment at their home or business to meet some of their energy needs while remaining connected to Idaho Power’s grid. This offering is available to Idaho residential customers (Schedule 6), Idaho small general service customers (Schedule 8), and Idaho and Oregon large general service, industrial and irrigation as well as Oregon residential and small general service customers (Schedule 84).
Idaho Power customers can install solar or other renewable energy systems to offset some or all of their energy use. Systems that are connected to the grid are called “interconnected.” With an interconnected system, energy flows two ways between the electrical grid and your home. At times, the solar or renewable system will produce more energy than the home/business needs. At other times the home/business will need to draw electricity from Idaho Power. Alternatively, a system can be designed as “non-export” to prevent excess energy from flowing to the grid.
Residential (Schedule 1) and small commercial (Schedule 7) customers may connect energy generation sources and energy storage (like solar and batteries) with a total nameplate capacity of 25 kilowatts (kW) AC or less. All other rate classes may connect an exporting system with a total nameplate capacity of 100 kW AC or less or a non-exporting system up to 3 MW. For exporting projects over these limits refer to
Generator Interconnection.
All customer generation systems and energy storage systems must satisfy the requirements of Schedule 68 Interconnections to Customer Distributed Energy Resources. Upon completion of the interconnection process, customers with Exporting Systems will take service under one of the following schedules in Idaho Power’s Tariff:
• Idaho Residential customers – Schedule 06, Residential Service On-Site Generation
• Idaho Small General Service customers – Schedule 08, Small General Service On-Site Generation
• All Oregon customers, and Idaho Large Commercial, Irrigation and Industrial customers – Schedule 84, Customer Energy Production/Net Metering Service, and their standard retail service schedule (i.e. Schedule 9: Large General Service).
Residential schedules 06 and 84 are not eligible to participate in both on-site generation and Residential Time of Day pricing (Schedule 5).
Solar panels only produce energy in natural daylight. They do not produce energy at night, and production may be limited on cloudy days. Panels also are incapable of storing energy. Solar panels can be paired with energy storage systems like batteries to store a limited amount of energy for use at a later time.
Will on-site generation lower my electric bill?The monthly electric bill for homeowners who install solar or wind may be lower because of the energy they receive from their system. But solar and other renewable generation systems can be a large investment, costing thousands — often tens of thousands — of dollars. So, while your electric bill may be lower each month, you won’t see a true return on your investment for years down the road. Additionally, there are different payment options for solar, including paying cash upfront or financing plans that include interest. Typically, any time a large purchase requires making monthly payments, interest charges are included. Adding interest increases the total cost and length of time to recoup an investment.
What factors affect payback for a solar on-site generation system? Many factors can affect the payback, including the cost per watt of the system, its energy production, and your tax credit eligibility. A system’s energy production depends on the technology used, how the system is configured, and environmental factors. Solar production is affected by the direction and tilt of the panels and anything that causes shade, including clouds and dust. Wind production is affected by location, turbine height, and obstacles that interrupt wind flow, such as nearby structures or trees. Another factor is electricity price changes. Idaho has some of the lowest electricity prices
in the nation, largely due to our clean, low-cost hydroelectric system. Prices fluctuate slightly year-to-year due to inflation, fuel costs and other factors. Looking forward, Idaho Power’s most recent Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) report estimates that relative fuel prices will increase, on average, 1% per year over the next 18. Additionally, Idaho Power’s rules and pricing structures are not contracts and are subject to change at any time with approval from the IPUC. Modifications to the
compensation structure will likely result in changes to how excess energy sent back to the grid by the customer is measured and credited and the value of that credit. Those changes will impact any savings realized from a rooftop solar system and potential payback on the investment.
Generally, no. Having power when the grid is down requires a battery backup system. Inverters are the part of a typical solar system that convert DC power to usable AC power. The vast majority of inverters are grid-connected and work only if the electrical grid is functioning normally. If the grid experiences an outage, the inverters sense the abnormality and will stop interacting with the grid. This helps keep work crews safe and the grid stable. A small number of customers connect to the grid and have a battery backup system. This allows them to use energy stored in the batteries while the power is out. Battery backup systems will add cost to the overall system.
If I install solar or wind, do I still need power from the utility?Most homeowners with on-site generation connect to Idaho Power’s electrical grid to ensure reliable, consistent electricity. The wind doesn’t always blow. Solar panels only produce when the sun is out. Even then, the panels may not produce enough energy to meet the home’s energy needs. The grid lets solar customers draw power at night when there is no sunshine, during a cloudy day, or any time they need more electricity than their system is generating. Also, most customers with on-site generation rely on the grid for the rush of power needed to start up large appliances like air conditioning units. Without the grid, the average solar or wind generation system can’t supply enough instantaneous power to turn on these large appliances. For these reasons, homeowners with on-site generation rely on Idaho Power’s electrical grid every hour of every day.
How does billing work for on-site generation?Currently, customers who do not generate enough energy to cover their needs pay the same retail rates for power they use as Idaho Power’s standard service customers, while customers who generate more electricity than they need in a month receive an energy credit measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The credit carries forward to offset the customers’ energy needs in future months.
However, Idaho Power’s current rules and pricing structures are not contracts and are subject to change at any time with approval from the IPUC. Modifications to the compensation structure will likely result in changes to how excess energy sent back to the grid by the customer is measured and credited and the value of that credit. Those changes will impact the billing structure, any savings realized from your system and potential payback on your investment.
Currently, solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most common choice for those who generate their own renewable energy. However, Idaho Power’s on-site generation tariffs allow customers to connect solar, wind, small-scale hydro, biomass, geothermal and fuel cell technologies as exporting systems. Other fuel types and stand-alone energy storage are allowed as non-exporting systems.
How much space do I need?For a solar array, each kilowatt (kW) DC of solar photovoltaic generation capacity requires about 100 to 200 square feet of roof or ground area depending on the efficiency of the panels. For a wind turbine, the space depends on the type and height of the system installed. A general rule of thumb is the turbine generator should be 20 feet above the top of anything within 300 feet of the system. Turbines should be erected away from structures to minimize the risk of falling on buildings during strong winds. The minimum distance between turbines and structures is typically equal to the combined height of the tower and blades, known as the “fall distance.”
What size system should I get?The size of the system depends on many factors including your goals, the type of generation technology and its output, the available space and how much energy your home or business uses. Before you decide on a size, consider taking advantage of Idaho Power’s
energy efficiency programs to help lower your overall energy use. Reducing your energy needs may allow you to install a smaller system and save money and is also your greenest option.
Customers can access their monthly and hourly energy use though MyAccount, Idaho Power’s online customer information portal. To access usage data, log in to
MyAccount and select Usage on the top menu bar. Choose My Energy Usage from the drop down and look for the buttons to Download Your Hourly Usage Data below the graph. Monthly energy use is also displayed on your monthly billing statement.
For inverter-based generation sources, the nameplate capacity is defined as the AC nameplate rating of the inverter. For non-inverter-based generation sources, the nameplate capacity is defined as the nameplate rating of the generation source (example: nameplate rating of a wind turbine).
When an energy storage device is paired with a generating system, the total system size depends on whether it is DC-coupled or AC-Coupled. For example, if a battery storage device uses the same inverter as the solar generation system, it is DC-Coupled. If the solar system and battery have separate inverters, the battery is AC-coupled. The total system size for generation systems with energy storage devices will be calculated as follows:
- DC Coupled: For energy storage devices that are DC coupled, the total nameplate capacity of the system is defined by the inverter (kilovoltampere [kVA]).
- AC Coupled: For AC coupled energy storage with an exporting system, the total nameplate capacity is the total nameplate capacity of the generation system plus the energy storage system on the customers’ side of the interconnection point (i.e., the AC capacity of the solar PV system plus the AC capacity of the battery.)
For an energy storage device coupled with a non-exporting system, the total nameplate capacity of the energy storage device shall be considered 0 kVA.
Energy Storage installed without a generating source must be installed as a non-exporting system under the rules of Schedule 68. (See Non-Export section below for more details).
The energy generated varies by the type of system and depends on such factors as technology, age, weather, location and directional orientation. Solar panels do not produce the same amount of power at all times of the year or all times of the day. They produce less in the winter due to the weather and fewer hours of daylight. Energy generated will vary depending on the time of day, cloud cover and shading from nearby trees, roof pitches or other structures. The times that solar energy is generating doesn’t always align with when the home needs energy.
PVWatts Calculator is an online tool developed by the federal government for estimating solar generation based on geographic location and system design.
To use PVWatts to evaluate different system sizes, input your city, solar size in kilowatts (kW) and the calculator will estimate solar electricity generation by hour for a full year. Compare the PVWatts estimate to your hourly historical energy use, which you can find on My Account at idahopower.com/MyAccount. Tweak the kW in the calculator to find a size that meets your goals. If you decide to move forward with purchasing an on-site renewable generation system, a professional installer can also help estimate a system’s hourly solar generation. Be sure to compare the installer’s estimated solar generation with the information provided by PVWatts Calculator.
Additionally, Idaho Power’s rules and pricing structures are not contracts and are subject to change at any time with approval from the IPUC. Modifications to the compensation structure could result in changes to how excess energy sent back to the grid by the customer is measured and credited and the value of that credit. Those changes could impact any savings realized from a rooftop solar system and potential payback on the investment.
On-site solar projects are smaller systems (typically less than 25 kW for residential), located behind a customer’s meter, and designed to offset all or a part of a customer’s energy needs. Utility-scale solar generally refers to systems larger than 10 megawatts, is tied directly to the grid, and serves all customers. Utility-scale solar—or any utility-scale resource—typically has a lower installation cost per kW of capacity.
How does on-site solar contribute (or not) to Idaho Power's clean energy goal?While Idaho Power customers with on-site generation are generating and using clean energy, it isn’t included in Idaho Power’s energy mix (and, therefore, doesn’t technically count toward our company’s clean energy goal). That’s because the customer uses most of the energy produced by on-site generation. Any excess net energy helps from an avoided cost perspective (i.e., energy Idaho Power doesn’t have to produce elsewhere), but because it is for the customer’s use and they are compensated for any excess energy in the form of an energy credit they can use later, it does not count toward our company’s energy mix.
Does Idaho Power offer any financial incentives or rebates for installing small-scale renewable energy systems on my property?No. However, there are federal and state tax incentives and loan programs that may help with financing on-site renewable energy sources. The Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources has information on financing options at
oemr.idaho.gov. For Oregon customers, visit the Oregon Energy Department at
oregon.gov/energy. The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE), funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, also lists incentives for renewable resources by state at
dsireusa.org.
A Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) is a market-based instrument that represents the property rights to the environmental, social, and other non-power attributes of renewable electricity generation. REC’s are issued when one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity is generated and delivered to the electricity grid from a renewable energy resource. Idaho Power does not purchase REC’s. More Information about Renewable Energy Certificates can be found
here.
On May 1, 2023, Idaho Power
requested changes to its on-site generation offering that are a step toward ensuring fair prices for all customers. Idaho Power is seeking approval of a compensation structure that accurately measures an on-site generator’s use of the electrical grid and an export credit rate that will result in a fair and accurate valuation of customers’ exported energy. The proposed changes follow the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s (IPUC) acknowledgement of a
Value of Distributed Energy Resources study analyzing the benefits and costs of on-site generation, such as residential rooftop solar, on Idaho Power’s system. For more details about the proposed changes, including the methodologies behind the net billing and excess energy export credit rate changes, customers can review
Idaho Power’s proposal on the IPUC’s website.
Proposed Changes to On-site Generation
What is being proposed?Idaho Power is requesting changes to its on-site generation offering that are a step toward ensuring fair prices for all customers. Idaho Power is seeking approval of a compensation structure that accurately measures an on-site generator’s use of the electrical grid, and an excess export energy credit rate that will result in a fair and accurate valuation of customers’ exported energy. For all customers with non-legacy systems, Idaho Power is asking the IPUC to implement changes starting January 1, 2024, including:
- A change from net monthly to real-time net billing, which would better measure customers’ actual reliance on the electrical grid.
- A change in the excess exported energy credit from a kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit, valued around 10 cents for residential customers, to a time differentiated financial bill credit ranging from approximately 5 to 20 cents per kWh, that would be updated annually.
- A modification in the eligibility size cap for commercial, industrial, and irrigation customers.
The proposed changes follow the IPUC’s acknowledgement of a
Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VODER) study, which analyzed the benefits and costs of on-site generation on Idaho Power’s electrical grid. The study provides a basis for implementing changes to ensure that customers are paid fair rates for their exports and customers without solar or other on-site generation systems are not subsidizing the rates for self-generating customers.
Solar power and other renewable energy sources are an important part of Idaho Power’s energy mix, and the company supports customers who choose to participate in their own on-site generation. The company’s goal with this request is to modernize the 20-year-old compensation structure for on-site generation to ensure prices for excess energy are fair and equitable for all customers.
Under monthly net energy metering (NEM), customer-generators receive a credit in kilowatt-hours (“kWh”) for any monthly excess energy generated. The credit can be applied to offset energy within the current billing cycle and carry-forward credits can be used to offset energy consumption in future periods.
Real-time net billing measures and charges customers for all kWh consumed from the grid at the retail rate, and measures and compensates customers for all kWh exported to the grid at a time differentiated export credit rate (ECR).
Potential methodologies for determining an ECR rate were outlined in the VODER study. The ECR rate in Idaho Power’s proposal seeks to identify and apply methods that result in a fair and accurate valuation of customers’ exported energy while balancing customer understandability. Idaho Power also prioritized relying on recent data and implementing a repeatable method for updating the ECR that will ensure timely recognition of changing conditions on Idaho Power’s electrical grid and the broader power markets. Generally, Idaho Power relied on avoided cost principles as a foundation for its proposal in this case including:
- Avoided energy costs
- Avoided generation costs
- Avoided or deferred transmission and distribution costs
- Avoided line losses
- Avoided environmental costs
- Integration costs
The ECR would be updated annually each June.
As part of previous rulings, the IPUC granted legacy (grandfathered) status to eligible Schedule 6 and 8 on-site generation systems as of December 20, 2019. Eligible Schedule 84 systems received legacy status as of December 1, 2020. Customers who do not have legacy systems are subject to changes to the on-site generation compensation structure, including the value of the ECR. Customers are notified when applying for interconnection that the value of excess energy is subject to change. While not at issue in this case, all on-site generation customers, regardless of legacy status, are subject to changes in rates (energy prices), billing components and billing structure.
How might on-site generation customers' bills be affected?For residential customers with non-legacy systems, Idaho Power evaluated 2022 data to assess how customer bills may be affected by the proposed change in compensation structure. The 2022 average monthly bill for residential customers under the current net monthly compensation structure was $40. Under the proposed real-time net billing, the average bill increases to $52, resulting in an average increase of approximately $12 per month.
Are other changes being proposed?Along with changes to the compensation structure for non-legacy customers, the company is proposing additional changes including:
- A change to the total system size large general service, industrial and irrigation customers can install. The company is proposing a cap set at the greater of 100 kW or demand at the service point.
- Removing the AC coupled battery capacity from the calculation of the cap. AC coupled battery capacity would still apply towards engineering studies to determine if transformer or distribution upgrades are needed.
Under the rules in Oregon, Idaho Power offers net metering services under Schedule 84 to its Oregon customers in accordance with the rules that are in place for its Idaho customers.
How can I participate?For more details about the proposed changes to the on-site generation compensation structure, including the methodologies behind the net billing and excess energy export credit rate changes, customers can review Idaho Power’s proposal, which is subject to approval by the IPUC. Copies of the application are available to the public at IPUC offices (11331 W. Chinden Blvd. Building 8, Suite 201‐A, Boise, ID 83714), Idaho Power offices, or at
idahopower.com or
puc.idaho.gov. Customers also may subscribe to the IPUC’s RSS feed to receive periodic updates via email about the case. Written comments regarding Idaho Power’s proposal (Case No. IPC‐E‐23‐14) may be filed with the IPUC (
puc.idaho.gov/Form/CaseComment).
Connecting Your System
How do I get started?Use our
Solar Checklist to help you plan and decide if solar is right for you. If you decide to install solar, visit our
Apply to Connect Your System webpage to see an overview of Idaho Power’s interconnection process and complete the required application.
Solar, wind and other forms of energy generation are electrical sources and must be designed with safety in mind. In general, we require a grid-tied smart inverter. Smart inverters must conform to the latest Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547 standards and be certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 1741 standard, which complies with the latest IEEE 1547 standards. Idaho Power also requires an AC disconnect switch on the customer’s side of the meter. Breakers do not meet these requirements. AC disconnects and meters must be readily accessible to Idaho Power 24/7. An overview of the interconnection requirements and a link to the rules as outlined in Schedule 68 Interconnections to Non-Utility Generation are available at
idahopower.com/customerGeneration. The specific requirements for the AC disconnect are listed in Schedule 68.
Making changes to an existing service will require the service to comply with the current Customer Requirements for Electric Service, including requirements for service and panel upgrades and meter accessibility.
Idaho Power requires a $100 fee to cover application processing, engineering review and on-site inspections. If the project requires upgrades to Idaho Power equipment, the applicant also must pay those costs.
The first Idaho Power inspection is conducted at no charge. Starting March 23, 2021, a return trip charge of $61 may be billed to the customer each time Idaho Power personnel are dispatched to the job site but are unable to conduct the on-site inspection due to one or more of the conditions not being met that had been certified as complete by the customer or installer on the System Verification Form. This charge will appear on the customer’s bill the following month.
Making changes to an existing service requires the service to comply with the current Customer Requirements for Electric Service. There may be additional costs, if you upgrade your service or panel or if your meter does not meet the accessibility requirements.
For new on-site generation systems going through Idaho Power’s interconnection process, the first inspection is conducted at no charge. A return trip charge of $61 may be billed to the customer each time Idaho Power personnel are dispatched to the job site but are unable to conduct the on-site inspection due to a condition not being met that had been certified as complete on the System Verification Form. Here are common reasons Idaho Power’s on-site inspection cannot be completed and a return trip fee may be charged:
- The system does not generate. This is usually due to a breaker being off or an issue with the inverters (e.g., inverters were not programmed, were not turned on, or have a fault).
- During the grid outage simulation, the inverter reconnects faster than the required 5-minute delay.
- There is no AC disconnect for the generation system or the AC disconnect does not meet the requirements in Schedule 68.
- The AC disconnect and meter are not accessible (behind a locked gate or in a building).
- A battery storage system was installed but not disclosed on the System Verification Form.
- The battery storage system is not working.
- The generation system installation was not finished.
Onsite generation that is interconnected to Idaho Power’s electrical grid must comply with the rules for interconnection. These requirements ensure the safety of Idaho Power crews working in the area and protect the reliability of the electrical grid for all customers. Customers with generation systems found to be interconnected without completing the Customer Generation application process will be asked to bring their system into compliance or risk being permanently disconnected from the electrical grid.
What is a smart inverter? Smart inverters must conform to the latest Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547 standards and be certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 1741 standard, which complies with the latest IEEE 1547 standards. Idaho Power requires inverters that comply with IEEE 1547-2018 or are either UL 1741 SA or UL 1741 SB certified. This can be verified on the manufacturer’s data sheet from the equipment model.
Beginning January 1, 2024, all new Customer Generation applications will be required to use UL 1741 SB certified inverters for inverter-based systems. Applications for inverter models and AC-coupled battery models without the SB certification will no longer be accepted.
Applications received through December 31, 2023, will be allowed to continue their interconnections with UL 1741-SA or SB certified inverters.
Customers with existing systems will not be affected unless they modify their system’s inverters, including AC-coupled batteries. Modifications must go through the interconnection process, beginning with submitting a new application, and meet the interconnection requirements in place at the time.
- Modifications that do not include replacing the existing inverters will not need to meet the inverter certification requirement in place at the time. Example: adding solar modules or adding a DC-coupled battery without changing any of the inverters.
- Modifications that include adding or replacing inverters, including AC-coupled batteries with built-in inverters, will be required to meet the inverter standards in place at the time for the replacement or new inverters.
This list shows typical inverter and battery brands that offer models with UL 1741 SB certification. This is not an all-inclusive list and other options meeting Idaho Power’s requirements may be available.
There are two configurations for energy storage devices (such as batteries): those that share an inverter with a generation facility (direct current [DC] coupled); and those that have a standalone inverter (alternating current [AC] coupled). For exporting systems, both configurations may export power onto Idaho Power’s system once the customer has completed the interconnection process. Energy storage devices not coupled with a generation facility taking service under Schedule 6, 8, or 84 (exporting system) may not export energy onto Idaho Power’s system and must take service under the non-export provisions of Schedule 68.
If you choose to change your installer, a new application and processing fee will be required. Expect contact from Idaho Power asking to confirm which application will move forward. Once confirmed, Idaho Power will withdraw the application that is not being used and rerun the feasibility review.
Managing Your System
What if I want to expand or modify my system?Modifications to customer generation systems that increase the total nameplate capacity of the system or modify the system in any way (including inverter replacements) that may impact the safety or reliability of Idaho Power’s electrical system are considered system modifications. Customers planning modifications must complete the interconnection process including a new application, $100 fee and system verification form. Common modifications requiring an application include:
- Inverter additions or changes (including like for like and warranty replacements or installing a different inverter model)
- Module replacements or additions that increase the total DC capacity for systems originally approved before May 1, 2020.
- Adding energy storage (batteries)
Some scenarios do not require an application and fee, but Idaho Power does require that customers fill out a new system verification form notifying us of the change. Scenarios include:
- Module changes for systems approved after May 1, 2020
- Battery replacements (like for like) or removal
- Removing inverters (and not replacing)
If you aren’t sure, please reach out to cg@idahopower.com to determine if an application is needed.
Note: Systems applying for modifications must meet the requirements, including the current smart inverter requirement, in place today, Modifications may also require a state/city electrical inspection. Be sure to check with your authority-having-jurisdiction to ensure the work complies with all electrical codes.
How do I know if my system has Legacy status?Idaho Residential and Small General Service schedules: In orders 34509 and 43546, the IPUC granted Legacy status to on-site generation systems that were installed or purchased by December 20, 2019. Additional eligibility criteria for Legacy status were outlined in the orders. Legacy systems will take service under the Schedule 6 and Schedule 8 tariff rules in place on December 20, 2019 until December 20, 2045.
Idaho and Oregon Large General Service, Irrigation, and Industrial schedules, and Oregon Residential and Small General Service schedules: In order 34854, the IPUC granted Legacy status to on-site generation systems that were installed or purchased by December 1, 2020. Additional eligibility criteria for Legacy status were outlined in the orders. Legacy systems will take service under the Schedule 84 tariff rules in place on December 1, 2020, until December 1, 2045.
Not sure if your system is a Legacy system? Call Idaho Power’s customer solutions advisors at 1-800-632-6605 to confirm your system’s status.
What are the criteria for Legacy systems? It is the on-site generation system, not the customer, that receives legacy status at the meter site and at its originally installed nameplate capacity. The IPUC clarified the following criteria for legacy systems:
- A customer who moves into a property with a legacy net-metering system will inherit the legacy system.
- When a customer moves from a property with a legacy system, that customer does not get to take the legacy status of the system with them to their next property.
- If a system is offline for more than six months, or is moved to another site, the legacy status of the system is forfeited.
- If a customer expands their system, the expansion must be metered separately to retain the legacy status of the original system. If the expansion is not metered separately, the entire system will lose legacy status.
- To allow for the replacement of degraded or broken panels, the customer may increase the capacity of their legacy system by no more than 10% of the originally installed nameplate capacity or 1 kilowatt, whichever is greater.
Modifications to Legacy systems are allowed; however, if generating capacity is added, the way in which the new system is connected to the grid could result in forfeiture of the Legacy status of the existing system. The added generation system (i.e. both the new panels and associated inverters) must be metered separately from the Legacy system to retain Legacy status for the existing system. The new portion of the system will not receive Legacy status and will take service under the rules in place at that time and will be subject to future changes in the billing and compensation structure. If the generating capacity increases and the expansion is not separately metered from the Legacy system, Legacy status will be forfeited.
To determine your Legacy status and expansion requirements, contact our customer solutions advisors at 1-800-632-6605.
Non-Legacy systems can replace broken panels following the process for modifying systems. For more information, read the FAQ “What if I want to expand or modify my system?”
For Legacy systems, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission allows for replacing degraded or broken solar panels without affecting a system’s Legacy status if specific conditions are met. When replacing panels, customers may increase the Legacy system’s capacity by no more than 10% of the initially installed nameplate capacity or 1 kW, whichever is greater. The total number of panels must remain the same or less than the initially installed system. Customers planning to make system modifications must follow the process for modifying systems. For more information, read the FAQ “What if I want to expand or modify my system?”
Systems that are offline for more than six months will be removed from the on-site generation rate and returned to a standard service rate. The AC disconnect will be locked off and the on-site generation meter exchanged for a standard service meter. If the system is brought back online at a later date or moved to a new location, it must meet the current requirements and complete the interconnection process, including a new application. If a Legacy system is offline for longer than six months, or is moved to another site, the Legacy status is forfeited.
Ensuring your system is operating is your responsibility. Be sure to keep copies of all warranties. Track your monthly energy use and generation (if you have data monitoring) to look for abnormal changes in use. These may indicate an issue.
Idaho Power’s My Account online portal has hourly data and will record the excess energy each hour you push power to the grid.
If you suspect your system is not working, check to see if the system’s AC disconnect is in the on position and that the breaker is on. You may also need to contact a local licensed electrician or installer to have them ensure the inverter is programming is up to date and the inverter is working. For systems that are offline for more than six months, accounts will be moved back to their standard rate schedule and, if applicable, Legacy status will be forfeited.
What if I want to change an existing Large General Service, Industrial or Irrigation Legacy two-meter system into a single-meter system?Existing customers may choose to convert their existing two-meter design to a single-meter option; however, Legacy status would be forfeited. The customer will be responsible for costs to reconfigure the system and must complete the interconnection process, including a new application.
Idaho Power’s My Account tool allows customers to access a wide variety of information including usage data, excess energy delivered to the grid, and even access to past bills. Usage data is provided on an hourly, daily, monthly and yearly basis. Hourly usage data is available for download.
Some systems come with monitors that measure the energy produced by your renewable energy system. These monitors measure the total amount being produced by the system before the energy flows into your home or business. If your system is producing more energy than the home needs at a given moment, the extra energy flows to Idaho Power. Our meters measure that excess energy.
Excess Energy Credit Transfers
Can I transfer excess credits between accounts?As a customer with on-site renewable generation, you may be eligible to transfer excess credits. Service agreements are eligible to receive credit transfers if they meet the criteria listed in Idaho Power’s Schedule 84, 6 or 8. These criteria include:
- Excess energy credits must be available.
- Service agreements must be held by the customer and be for the customer’s use.
- Service agreements must be on the same contiguous property and be served by the same primary feeder as the customer generation (i.e., on-site generation or net metering) service agreements.
- Transfers can only occur between Residential and Small General Service accounts (Schedules 1, 6, 7 and 8) or between Large Commercial, Industrial and Irrigation accounts (Schedules 9, 19, 24 and 84). Schedule 5 Time-of-Day accounts are not eligible to receive credits.
- If multiple service agreements are eligible for aggregation, excess credits must first be applied to eligible service agreements on the same rate schedule as the on-site generation/net metering service agreement. Remaining excess credits may then be applied to offset consumption at eligible service agreements on differing rate schedules in accordance with the criteria detailed above. For example, if the transfer is occurring from a Schedule 6 (Residential) service agreement to two eligible service agreements, one Schedule 1 (Residential) and the other Schedule 7 (Small General Service), you must transfer some portion of your credit to the Schedule 1 service agreement to be eligible to transfer a portion to the Schedule 7 service agreement.
It is not necessary to apply for transfer if you wish to retain all credits at the existing meter. Credits do not expire unless or until a customer discontinues service at the point of delivery associated with the exporting system. Excess energy credits that are not transferred will remain with the current service agreement.
Fill out the online Excess Energy Credit Transfer Request form during the eligibility window, which typically opens December 1 and closes January 31 the following year.
Why did I receive a postcard about transferring excess generation? I don't have excess energy credits or additional service agreements.Each year, Idaho Power notifies customers with on-site renewable generation of this opportunity. Although you may not currently have a credit or other eligible service agreement, your service needs may change. We want to ensure that all customers who may be eligible receive this information annually. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements, or do not wish to transfer any credits from your customer generation service agreement, no action is needed.
Why am I asked to specify a percent of credit to transfer rather than an actual amount?Excess Energy Credit Transfer Request forms must be received by Idaho Power by midnight, Mountain Standard Time, Jan. 31, 2024. After reviewing the eligibility of each request, Idaho Power will execute approved transfers no later than March 31, 2024. Between the time forms are submitted (December through January) and the transfers are executed (March), energy generation and consumption will continue to occur, impacting the available balance of excess energy credits. Because it is difficult to predict exact generation and energy use, Idaho Power cannot predict the exact credit balance that will be available at the time of transfer. Therefore, we ask for the percent of the available balance you would like transferred rather than a specific amount.
Where can I find the meter number, service agreement and other information requested on the form?Click on the sample bill link on the online form to see an illustration of a bill and where this information can be found.
What if I want to keep some excess energy credits at my customer generation service agreement?When you complete the Excess Energy Credit Transfer Request form, you have the opportunity to indicate the percentage of your credit you would like transferred to each eligible service agreement. If you would only like to transfer a portion of your credit, the percentage requested for transfer can total less than 100%.
It is not necessary to apply for transfer if you wish to retain all credits at the existing meter. Credits do not expire unless or until a customer discontinues service at the point of delivery associated with the exporting system. Excess energy credits that are not transferred will remain with the current service agreement.
If approved, we will email you to let you know. Also, you will see the transfer and transfer fees appear on your March bill statement. The transfer fee is $10 per transfer and will be applied to your customer generation service agreement. If Idaho Power determines one or more of the criteria identified in Schedule 84, 6 or 8 has not been met, you will receive notification by mail, email or phone that the request for transfer was denied.
How will I know how many credits are transferred?The actual credit transfer will be stated on your March bill for both the customer generation service agreement and the service agreement receiving the transfer.
What if I move before the transfer period?Excess energy credits are non-transferrable in the event that a customer relocates and/or discontinues service at the point of delivery associated with the exporting system. Any unused credits will expire at the time the final bill is prepared.
If I don't want to transfer excess energy credits in March, can I transfer excess credits later?No. The rules only allow transfers one time per year and specify the Jan. 31 request deadline and transfer by March 31.
Schedule 68 (Non-export Option)
What is a non-export option? Why is it being offered?Some customers do not want their generation systems, like solar panels, to export power to the electrical grid and wish to interconnect their system so they consume all energy generated on-site. However, these systems are still grid-connected and, as such, need rules in place to ensure they do not negatively impact the grid. Schedule 68 outlines (1) technical solutions to prevent export; (2) an interconnection and application process so Idaho Power can verify compliance with the interconnection requirements and (3) mitigation efforts should the customer’s system export power beyond the allowable amount, referred to as the inadvertent export limits.
Under both the export and non-export options, residential (Schedule 01) and small general service (Schedule 07) generation systems are limited to a maximum AC size of 25 kilowatts (kW) (or kilovoltampere [kVA]). This limit will allow these customer groups to transition between non-export and export (by submitting an application) without making costly retrofits to their systems.
Large general service (Schedule 09), irrigation (Schedule 24) and industrial (Schedule 19) customers may install up to 100 kW (VA) AC for exporting systems. There is no limit to system size for non-exporting systems for these customer groups.
All customer generation applications will undergo a Feasibility Review to determine Idaho Power’s electrical grid’s capability to incorporate the proposed generation system and to determine if upgrades are necessary. In some cases, proposed systems may require an additional Feasibility Study to determine if upgrades or protection equipment is needed. Idaho Power will conduct Feasibility Studies for systems under 3 megawatts (MW) on a case-by-case basis. Systems over 3 MW will require additional study.
- Advanced Functionality: Use of an internal transfer relay, energy management system or other customer-owned facility hardware or software system(s) to ensure power is never exported across the interconnection point.
- Reverse Power Protection: Uses a reverse power relay to ensure power is never exported across the interconnection point.
- Minimum Power Protection: Uses an under-power protective function to ensure a minimum amount of power is consumed at all times, and therefore, power cannot be exported.
Customers whose systems export above the allowed inadvertent export limits (three hours of the distributed energy resource’s total nameplate capacity in any 30-day period) will be notified and expected to take corrective action.
For residential (Schedule 01) and small general service (Schedule 07) customers, the inadvertent export must be rectified within 30 days. After 30 days, the customer may elect to turn off the system or move to Schedule 6 or 8 (exporting service). For Schedules other than 1 or 7, the customer must immediately open the AC disconnect until the issue that caused the export is remedied.
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