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Tagged: DG, Distributed Generation, Gross metering, Productoin Meter, Solar, Wind
Who requires Production/Gross meters on customer generation such as solar arrays?
Minnesota Power requires a production meter on any solar array in which customers receive incentives from us. When they get the incentives from us we own the production credits so we are required to know exactly how many kwh the system produces each year. Other customers we ask if they would be willing to install a production meter. We provide the socket free of charge for this when they are self contained. If its large enough to be CT rated then we provide the socket but they must provide the CT cabinet. We also provide the meter and there is no charge to the customer either up front or monthly for the meter.
MP has found having these meters to be very beneficial for having talking points with customers disputing how much power they have pushed back onto the grid or other questions that have come up. At this point the customer doesn’t have direct access to the meter data but in the future we may be able to supply it to them in an online portal.
Jason, Connexus doesn’t require a production meter for residential services but we do for commercial. As far as I know we haven’t had any issues with residential members disputing their credit, so there is no cost justification for us adding the 2nd meter on those. We have approximately 100 bi-directional meters installed.
The Upper Midwest Metering Association serves the upper midwest states of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and North Dakota. We provide connections for members, utilities, meter schools, and vendors in our bi-annual meetings and continuous dialog throughout the year.