Net Metering

What is Net Metering?

The net metering initiative may be used by electricity consumers in Ontario who generate some of their own energy from a renewable resource. Net metering enables you to send surplus electricity from renewable resources to the distribution system for a credit towards your electricity bill. For a successive 12-month period, excess generation credits can be carried forward to offset future electricity bills. Customers with net meters can now combine energy storage with renewable energy systems.

How Do I Get Started?

  1. Find out more about the process: Contact us and we will provide you with the technical specifications, the approval process and how to get your net metering contract. You should also contact the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario (ESA), as your system must be inspected and approved by the ESA to guarantee that it is correctly connected to the grid.
  2. Investigate your alternatives for renewable energy: information can be provided by renewable energy organizations, advisors and suppliers. For urban clients, a solar system may be the best renewable energy choice as wind or water systems require ample space and may not be permitted under zoning regulations. In rural areas, wind, water or agricultural biomass energy may be an option.
  3. Determine the size of the generation unit that will suit your needs: use your prior bills as a starting point to tailor your system to your individual energy demand. Since your credits can only be carried forward for 12 months, oversizing a generation system does not increase the benefits.

If you have any questions regarding the Net Metering initiative, please contact London Hydro's Generation Team
Email: generation@londonhydro.com 
Phone: 519-661-5800 ext. 5723

Application Process By Generation Classes

10 kW or Less of Generation

A Micro generation plant is described as a system for generating electricity with a capability of 10kW or less.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application Process

  1. Information Request
    • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact London Hydro and ESA.
  2. Fill out the online application
    • The customer will need to visit the London Hydro website and fill out the online application to London Hydro which includes the nameplate rated capacity of the proposed generator, the fuel type, type of technology, and the location proposed.
    • The details can be found in the important documents section.
  3. ESA Electrical Permit Application & London Hydro Review
    • The customer will submit plans and specific information to ESA for permit application. At the same time, London Hydro will review the application.
  4. Provision of Information/Offer to Connect
    • London Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
    • If the customer meets all of the requirements, London Hydro will issue an Offer to Connect and a Connection Agreement that must be signed and returned to us with your final payment.
  5. Customer Develops a Plan
    • The customer reviews the information provided by London Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan.
  6. The Decision to Proceed and Install
    • If the customer decides to proceed with the installation of their proposed generation, they will issue a payment to London Hydro for any fee outlined in the Offer to Connect and will return a signed copy of the Connection Agreement to London Hydro.
  7. Authorization to Connect
    • The customer will receive an authorization to connect after the ESA inspection.  London Hydro will then install a new meter.
Important Documentation

 

Greater than 10 kW to 999 kW of Generation

Small generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 10kW and up to 999 kW when connected to a distribution system.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application Process

  1. Information Request
    • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact London Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the London Hydro website and fill out an Initial feasibility Assessment (IFA) form.  The details can be found in the important documents section.
  2. Provision of Information 
    • London Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals required, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
  3. Customer Develops a Plan
    • The customer reviews the information provided by London Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan.  The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to London Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to London Hydro within 30 days. 
  4. Connection Impact Assessment
    • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to London Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; protection philosophy; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. London Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. A Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
    • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) will be performed, if required.
  5. The Decision to Proceed and Install
    • Upon receiving a successful CIA the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, both the customer and London Hydro will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. London Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
  6. Commissioning and Verification ​​​​​
    • Prior to scheduling commissioning, the London Hydro pre-commissioning check list, as well as ESA inspection will need to be submitted to London Hydro.
    • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator. London Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete London Hydro’s required commissioning portion.
  7. Connection Agreement
    • The customer and London Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer.
Important Documentation

 

Between 1MW to 10MW of Generation

Medium-sized generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 1 MW and up to 10 MW. Mid-sized generation facilities typically involve business or industrial establishments. These systems usually involve complex technical and financial issues and should only be considered if the client has considerable generation experience.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application Process

  1. Information Request
    • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact London Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the London Hydro website and fill out an Initial feasibility Assessment (IFA) form.   The details can be found in the important documents section.
  2. Provision of Information 
    • London Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
  3. Customer Develops a Plan
    • The customer reviews the information provided by London Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan. The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to London Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to London Hydro within 30 days. 
  4. Connection Impact Assessment
    • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to London Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. London Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. The Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
    • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) is required.
  5. The Decision to Proceed and Install
    • Upon receiving successful CIA`s from both London Hydro and Hydro One, the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, the customer, London Hydro and Hydro One will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. London Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
    • Hydro One will assign a project manager to oversee any Hydro One work that may be required.
  6. Commissioning and Verification
    • The customer will arrange for and receive the Authorization to Connect from ESA. In addition, the customer will need to complete a London Hydro pre-commissioning checklist before the commissioning day.
    • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator.
    • London Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete London Hydro’s required commissioning portion.
    • Hydro One`s project manager will co-ordinate all transfer trip and NMS point testing.
  7. Connection Agreement/Operating Procedure
    • The customer and London Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement/operating procedure. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer. 
Important Documentation 

 

More than 10 MW of Generation

Large-sized generation facilities are defined as having a capacity greater than 10 MW. Large-sized generation facilities typically involve business or industrial establishments. These systems usually involve complex technical and financial issues and should only be considered if the client has considerable generation experience.  The latest Net Metering rules can be found on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

Application Process

  1. Information Request
    • The client proposing the installation of renewable generation should contact London Hydro and ESA. The customer will need to visit the London Hydro website and fill out an Initial feasibility Assessment (IFA) form.  The details can be found in the important documents section.
  2. Provision of Information 
    • London Hydro will provide information regarding the connection process, approvals needed, technical requirements, contractual requirements and application forms.
  3. Customer Develops a Plan
    • The customer reviews the information provided by London Hydro and ESA and develops an installation plan. The customer will prepare detailed engineering drawings, submit all the plans to ESA for approval, and submit information to London Hydro for design review. It is recommended that the design is provided to London Hydro within 30 days. 
  4. Connection Impact Assessment
    • The customer submits a connection impact assessment application to London Hydro for a chosen location and makes payment with the application. Information required includes the size of the generation facility; the type of generation facility; type and details of technology; fuel type; single line diagram; location; protection philosophy; and preliminary design of proposed interface protection. London Hydro performs the connection impact assessment of the proposed generation on the distribution system. A Study agreement will be sent to the customer detailing requirements and cost.
    • A Hydro One Connection Impact Assessment (CIA) is required.
  5. The Decision to Proceed and Install
    • Upon receiving successful CIA`s from both London Hydro and Hydro One, the customer can choose to continue with the generation installation.  A site visit will be scheduled to determine any site specific details of the project. An offer to connect will be sent to the customer detailing the cost as well as all requirements for the installation. Once the customer pays the offer to connect costs, the customer, London Hydro and Hydro One will commit to a schedule, a form of information exchange and the scope of work. London Hydro will then initiate the work to be done to facilitate the connection.
    • Hydro One will assign a project manager to oversee any Hydro One work that may be required.
  6. Commissioning and Verification
    • The customer will arrange for and receive the Authorization to Connect from ESA. In addition, the customer will need to complete a pre-commissioning checklist before the commissioning day.
    • The customer will arrange for the commissioning and testing of the generator.
    • London Hydro will send witnesses to verify the commissioning process as well as complete London Hydro’s required commissioning portion. 
    • Hydro One’s project manager will co-ordinate all transfer trip and NMS point testing.
  7. Connection Agreement/Operating Procedure
    • The customer and London Hydro agree to and sign the connection agreement/operating procedure. A letter of equivalency will need to be completed by an independent Professional Engineer.
Important Documentation 

 

 

 


Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the process take?

The process is dependent on size for small and medium sized projects it may take anywhere from 3 to 6 months.


How much does the process cost?

Prices can vary depending on project scope please submit an application for pricing.


Am I eligible for Generation?

Please make an application to determine eligibility.


How many credits do I have?

Please refer to your monthly hydro bill as it will indicate you current credit balance.


How much does a generation system cost?

Please contact a renewable generation installation company for costs.

 

Image
Solar panels on rooftop

Application to Connect

Fill out the application to connect a micro-generator to London Hydro.