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Net Metering

Net Metering

Home or Small Business – Up to 100KW AC 

Solar – Wind – Hydro – Other Renewable Energy

Columbia REA’s Net Metering Interconnection Agreement allows members who produce their own power, with a no larger than 100KW (Kilowatt),  AC renewable energy systems, such as solar or wind power, to connect to us and get credit for excess generation.

“Net”, in this context, means “what remains after deductions” — in this case, the difference of any energy outflows from your solar to us versus any energy inflows to you from us. Example:  you generate 15 KWh from solar but consume 20 KWh from us, and the net is 5.

Think of a game of “Tug of War”, with a really long rope and a game that lasts 30 days.  Each night the sun goes down and you’re “pulling” power from the system  until the sun comes up and then we “pull” from your solar all day long. Minute by minute it changes, (moves back and forth) and varies by how much you use in your house and how sunny it is;  but it only maters where you end up at the end of the month. The net amount.

Almost all solar systems installed now cannot operate without being connected to a utility that supplies the power when the system cannot; cloudy days, nights, or time of great usage in the home. The utility connection is on constant standby and helps whenever needed, at lease once a day and more likely many times a day. Net metering keeps track of the back and forth energy flows.

Columbia REA may make available upon request net metering service to any electric consumer that the electric utility serves. The term ‘net metering service’ means service to an electric consumer under which electric energy generated by that electric consumer from an eligible and pre-approved  on-site generating facility and delivered to the local distribution facilities may be used to offset electric energy provided by the electric utility to the electric consumer during the applicable billing period.

How do I know it’s working?

Our experience is that most solar systems our members choose to install don’t show all the data, or being new to it, the members don’t understand what will be provided by the contractor.  It’s generally how the members and their contractors decide to install.

It’s not uncommon at utilities to hear from for new solar customers after they are connected and ask questions about the readings. We explain that their system may not show everything and help as we can. This is fine for some, but other members have decided that they want more information than what their system can produce. Additional energy monitors may help a homeowner see the raw solar production, what the house uses from this production and what the net usage is that comes or goes to the meter. We don’t recommend or endorse specific energy monitors but those who want more details might consider monitors like the below (or something similar) to see all aspects of your energy production and usage. Feel free to call us before you buy if this is important to you.

Sense Energy Monitor    Emporia Energy Monitors     This Old House Article

What if it breaks?

Ask your contractor about the following:

  • How does the system notify you of a malfunction?
  • Are there parts of my system that, if they break, I won’t get notified of a malfunction and lost electric production? (Inverter, communicator)
  • How long does it take to get fixed?
  • What happens if the part is obsolete or out of stock?
  • Are obsolete parts upgrades covered in the warranty? (electronic parts change and upgrade constantly)
  • What happens to my warranty if my contractor goes out of business?
  • Do I still have to make the payments if my system is broken and therefore my utility bill goes up?
  • Click here for other things to consider before buying

Yes, your utility bill may increase due to the lack of solar production on a broken system. Fortunately, your lights and refrigerator stay on, but your electric bill usage will go back to pre-solar levels. We have seen times when a member’s system stopped working for months and they didn’t know, and we can’t always tell from our side. Installing a solar system for electricity makes you a system operator who is responsible to ensure the system is working, and liable for the consequences of it not producing electricity.

What should I do before signing a solar system agreement

  1. Don’t be pressured to “sign now”. Take your time, it’s a long-term commitment.
  2. Get several quotes and make sure you talk to a local established electrical contractor who does more than solar.
  3. Call your utility and discuss it with us. If your solar salesman is telling you not to call us, be aware! We are here to help and have hundreds of members with systems.
  4. Talk to several trusted friends who have had it for over a year about their experiences. It takes a while to understand the ownership of new technology and confirm the financial viability.
  5. Avoid the “buy because my neighbor did”. They may not see the big picture yet like those above in point 4.
  6. Talk to your CPA or financial advisor. They can help determine how long it takes to pay it off,  if it makes sense financially and if there are tax credits for your situation.
  7. Have a plan for a system breakdown.
  8. Click here for other things to consider before buying

Feel free to call us before you buy. 509-526-4041

New Installations – Columbia REA Net Metering Application

If you are planning a Solar or other renewable energy system installation, with electrical service from Columbia REA, please follow the below steps now to get approved. We strongly suggest you get Columbia REA approval before signing a contract and construction starts. We also need to make sure the Columbia REA equipment that feeds your location can handle the power you will produce before the installation starts.

The net-meter will not be installed until approved by Columbia REA and the electrical permit is completed by WA State L&I. It’s important that the process is followed, for the safety of the electrical system and those who maintain it. Unapproved and operational electrical generation systems will be disconnected (Utility meter removed), leaving the site without connection to the electric system.

FEE

1.    Pay the fee for the application processing, the Net-Meter and Net-Meter installation.  Columbia REA requires a non-refundable Interconnection Application fee based on the system size, rated in AC, for either new systems or expansions to existing systems-

  • 1 KW to  10 KW                           $ 600.00
  • 10.01 KW to 20KW                      $ 900.00
  • 20.01KW to 50KW                       $ 1,300.00
  • 50.01KW to 100KW                     $ 2,600.00
  • Minimal system expansion*         $ 250.00
  • Battery Energy Storage System  – An additional fee and longer approval period may be required for a BESS and/or a System Impact Study. We will inform you, if so.

       Call (509) 526-4041 to pay the fee.

Please note: Any electric generation system installed by a consumer themselves or otherwise, and connected to a Columbia REA electrical service, without Columbia REA approval, may lead us to disconnect that service from the Columbia REA electrical system.

How Net Metering Works on Your Bill

With net metering, you receive retail credit for some or all of the electricity your system generates during the year. These credits apply only to the energy usage portion of your bill (the kWh charge). They do not reduce other charges.

How net metering works:

  1. Excess kilowatt-hour (kWh) credits roll over each month from April through March.
  2. If your system does not generate enough credit to cover your usage, you pay for the remaining electricity used that month.
  3. You still pay monthly:
    • Facilities charges
    • Taxes
    • Demand charges
    • A monthly system access charge:
      • A per kW-AC, rounded up to the nearest whole kW. Check with us for the fee amount.
      • Members with approved net metering systems in place before 6-1-2026 are grandfathered under their original plan. With Columbia REA approval, they may expand their system up to 10 KW AC without the monthly system access fee. Any portion larger than 10 kW AC will be subject to the monthly system access fee.
  4. Any unused credits remaining on March 31 each year are forfeited and are not paid out. Net metering is designed to help offset your yearly on-site electricity use.

Columbia REA shall have the sole authority to determine which Interconnection requirements are applicable to member’s proposed generating facility.

For a more in depth description,  WSU previously produced a Solar Electric System Design, Operation and Installation overview which explains in detail about building and planning solar systems in WA state. This provides a solid beginning understanding, but please check with your local jurisdictions for their requirements, and other changes or requirements, that may have occurred recently, as well.

Also, The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), has a great informational website as well; a Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar .

WA State (WSU) Renewable Energy System Incentive Program

Are you interested in applying for renewable energy incentives? Visit the WSU Energy Program homepage for more information and to determine current program funding. (Note: This program has not been funded by the legislature for several years though, as of 2024.)

Annual Reporting

Are you are a Columbia REA member, have solar panels or other renewal energy production systems, and have been previously approved to take advantage of the above Washington State Renewable Energy System Incentive Program?

We only assist WSU in collecting the data and distributing the funds.

An annual report is required to get your WA incentive:

  • In late June, a link will be available (on this webpage and by email) for you to enter your June 30th, year end, production number.
  • No paper or emailed forms are provided or expected back.

Please contact us for more information by calling (509) 526-4041, or by email.

Federal tax credits

The federal residential solar energy credit is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar PV system paid for by the taxpayer. The installation of the system must be complete during the tax year.

This tax credit is based on your individual tax situation, and as of July 2025, there are changes to this program.  Please contact your tax accountant to see if it works for you,  or refer to this webpage; Federal Tax Credit