The Commercial Net Metering Program is available to any of our customers looking to generate their own renewable electricity and offset part, or all, of their own electricity needs while still being able to draw from the power grid when needed.
HOW IT WORKS
Our customers can install a variety of renewable energy generation sources—such as solar, wind, or hydro—to help power their business or home. If your renewable energy generator produces more energy than you use at any one time, the unused electricity will flow onto the local grid for others to use. If you generate more electricity than you can use, these surplus kilowatt-hours (kW) will be "banked" and applied to your next bill to offset any electricity drawn from the grid.
A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER
Your renewable energy generator must have a minimum nameplate capacity of 27 kWac¹ and be sized to meet, but not exceed, your expected annual electricity consumption up to a maximum nameplate capacity of either:
A. 1,000 kWac (i.e., 1 MWac) for those customers:
B. 200 kWac for those customers not covered above.
If you have multiple accounts with us, you're able to use your renewable energy generator to supply electricity to your other accounts as long as they are within the same geographical area known as a distribution zone (see our FAQs below to learn more about distribution zones) and share the same non-residential rate code (commercial only).
As part of the Commercial Net Metering Program, you may elect to have NS Power register and retire Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for your renewable energy generation. RECs are a non-tangible commodity that represent proof that the bearer has a credible, valid title to the environmental benefits from one megawatt hour (MWh) of renewable energy.
NS Power will use a renewable energy tracking system provided by an internationally recognized organization to issue and immediately retire RECs on your behalf. Your RECs will be assigned a unique serial number that allows them to be dated and traced back to the generator, allowing you to make a verifiable renewable energy usage claim. Retiring a REC means taking it out of market circulation—in other words, it is no longer available to be sold, transferred, or transacted as a commodity.
For more information, please see the FAQs and Commercial Net Metering Participant Agreement.
To have NS Power register and retire RECs for your renewable energy generation, please complete a Commercial Net Metering REC Registration Form.
CLASS 1 Generators with nameplate capacities greater than 27 kW, up to 100 kW
Please review
Application
Please include in your application:
Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $57.00 + HST applies per application. This fee is billed to the applicant's primary account listed under Section 2.0 of the Interconnection Request and Equipment Information Form.
Note: Changes to equipment, capacity, and location post application and/or changes requiring additional review or resubmission of an Interconnection Request and will be subject to additional application fees.
Email:
*For other energy sources, please complete the Interconnection Request and Equipment Information Form.
Agreement
Note: The Commercial Net Metering Participant Agreement is not to be completed and submitted until directed by NS Power following pre-approval of your application.
Application Process Flow
Additional References
For Installers
CLASS 2 Generators with nameplate capacities greater than 100 kW, up to 1,000 kW (1 MW)
Interconnection Requests for Class 2 Commercial Net Metering Service can be made via the Distribution Generation Interconnection Procedures (DGIP).
Pre-Application Assessment (Optional)
This process applies to generators great than or equal to 101 kW connected to Distribution Systems rated 26,400 volts and under. It does not form part of the Distribution Generator Interconnection Procedures (DGIP), but is designed to provide system information that can assist in determining the viability of a generation site prior to a formal DGIP application.
To qualify, your generator must be classified as producing renewable low-impact electricity as defined in Section 3(1) of the Renewable Electricity Regulations.
These electricity sources include, but are not limited, to:
If you have a MyAccount profile, you can easily access the total the number of kWh used over the course of the year, or alternatively sum up the totals for past electric use for the most recent year on right-hand side of your bill.
If you’re installing a generator or storage device as part of a new service, your electrical contractor should be able to determine your forecasted demand.
Your electrical contractor can assist with sizing your system to meet your energy needs.
A distribution zone contains all NS Power distribution feeders emanating from a single distributing supply transformer within a substation.
Yes.
For Class 1 Interconnection Requests, there is an application fee of $57.00 + HST.
For Class 2 Interconnection Requests, please refer to the Distribution Generation Interconnection Procedures (DGIP).
If you want to operate your system during a power outage, the generating system must have special transfer and isolating capabilities installed. During an outage, your generating facility must be disconnected from the distribution system to protect our crews as they work to restore power. Your generating system can be reconnected only after power has been restored and stabilized. Details outlining these requirements can be found in the Interconnection Requirements document.
Yes. For safety reasons and compliance with the Canadian Electrical Code Regulations, generation connections require the installation of an isolation switch located between the meter and your equipment. This switch is a part of the system your solar provider is installing. The installation of an isolation switch allows our power line technicians and other staff to work safely on our distribution system. These technical details can be found in the Interconnection Requirements.
The Commercial Net Metering Program works by using a single meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in two directions, known as a bi-directional meter. This meter is approved by Measurement Canada and meets NS Power’s safety standards. If your existing meter is not capable of measuring the flow of electricity in two directions, one will be installed for you at no cost.
Yes, as long as both the generating unit and your net metering account(s) are located within the same distribution zone and share the same non-residential rate code (commercial only). Any additional costs associated with such an arrangement will be your responsibility.
No. While we administer this option, we do not design, engineer or install generating systems for customers. However, there are a variety of businesses that provide these services, and we recommend you consult with an electrical contractor or engineering consultant to get started.
Efficiency Nova Scotia has a list of Solar Installers within their trade network found here: Preferred Partners - Efficiency Nova Scotia (efficiencyns.ca).
All Commercial Net Metering customers continue to pay their monthly base charge as usual, and business customers continue to pay demand charges. If you use more electricity than you generate, you still draw from the grid as needed and receive a bill for the difference at your regular rate.
If you generate more electricity than you can use, surplus kilowatt-hours (kWh) will be “banked” and applied to your next bill to offset any electricity drawn from the grid until the end of the year.
If you end the year with excess generation remaining, NS Power would apply this to any billed consumption within the same calendar year up to a maximum of your total billed energy within the same calendar year.
All Commercial Net Metering Customers will have an Anniversary Date of January 1 of any given year.
This is the date that any excess “banked” surplus kilowatt-hours (kWh) will be applied towards previously billed energy (kWh) within the same calendar year.
During billing periods when your generation is less than your consumption (typically during the colder winter months when your energy consumption may be higher and generation may be lower), you would receive a bill for the energy consumed above your generation.
However, when your generation is greater than your consumption (typically during the warmer months when your energy consumption may be lower and generation may be higher), you would bank any excess generation for later use throughout the year.
If you end the year with excess generation remaining, NS Power would apply this excess generation to any billed consumption within the same calendar year up to a maximum of your total billed energy within the same calendar year.
For example, if you had billed energy in January and February when your consumption was greater than generation and then accrued banked energy credits in July and August when your consumption was less than generation, the remaining banked energy credits held upon reaching your Anniversary Date would be applied towards those billed kWh in January and/or February. NS Power would apply these energy credits to your account in the form of a bill credit equal to the amount you had paid for that energy. This bill credit would be applied to your first bill of the new year and remain on your account until used.
Example:
If you were billed for 5,500 kilowatt-hours throughout the year when your generation was less than your consumption and you had 3,500 kilowatt-hours of banked excess generation remaining at year-end, NS Power would provide a bill credit for 3,500 kilowatt-hours to offset your billed consumption. This bill credit would be applied to your first bill of the new year and remain on your account until used.
| Bill 1 | Bill 2 | Bill 3 | Bill 4 | Bill 5 | Bill 6 | Year-End | |
| Registered (Metered) Net Consumption | 5,000 | 2,000 | 1,000 | 500 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 12,000 kWh |
| Registered (Metered) Net Generation | 500 | 1,000 | 3,000 | 3,500 | 1,500 | 500 | 10,000 kWh |
| Generation Credits Used | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 500 | 2,000 | 1,500 | 6,500 kWh |
| Generation Credits Banked | - | - | 2,000 | 3,000 | -500 | -1,000 | 3,500 kWh |
| Banked Balance | - | - | 2,000 | 5,000 | 4,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 kWh |
| Billed Consumption | 4,500 | 1,000 | - | - | - | - | 5,500 kWh |
Summary
| Registered Net Consumption | 12,000 kWh |
| Registered Net Generation | 10,000 kWh |
| Energy Credits Used | 6,500 kWh |
| Billed Consumption | 5,500 kWh |
| Banked Balance | 3,500 kWh |
| Customer Adjustment | 3,500 kWh |
If you participate in Commercial Net Metering and are on the time-of-day rate, we will measure any electricity consumed from or delivered to the grid within the same time-of-day periods used for billing purposes. You will be billed and credited for consumption and excess generation by each time-of-day period without the transfer of surplus energy from one time-of-day period to another (from one rate to another).
If you end the year with excess generation remaining, NS Power would apply this excess generation to any billed consumption (kWh from all time-of-day periods) within the same calendar year up to a maximum of your total billed energy within the same calendar year.
Any excess “banked” surplus kilowatt-hours (kWh) will be applied towards any billed energy (kWh) within the same calendar year up to the date you discontinue your service.
Any excess “banked” surplus kilowatt-hours (kWh) held above your billed energy (kWh) within the same calendar year up to the date you discontinue your service would be retired.
The Commercial Net Metering Program allows you to install a qualified generator to offset part or all of your own electricity needs.
The program is not intended for the purpose of customer sale of electricity, so it is important to speak with your installer about the expected output of your generator before installation to ensure your system is sized appropriately to your needs. Excess generation above your annual consumption within the same calendar year would not be purchased by NS Power.
If you have multiple accounts with us, you’re able to size and use your generator to supply electricity to your other accounts as long as they are within the same geographical area known as a distribution zone and share the same non-residential rate code (commercial only).
To verify your generator is sized appropriately to your expected annual electricity consumption, you should discuss with your installer or electrical contractor about creating a modeled energy profile or estimate of your business or homes expected annual energy consumption.
| Self-Generating Option | Commercial Net Metering Program | |
|---|---|---|
| System Sizing |
Maximum: 27 kW (AC) No output restrictions |
Maximum: A. 1,000 kW (AC) Demand rated customers Fishing, Farming, Wineries B. 200 kW (AC) To whom (A) does not apply Who is not applicable under the Self-Generating Option Output restricted to meet customers annual energy consumption |
| Application Requirements | No application requirements. "As of Right" approval. | NS Power Review and Approval of an Interconnection Request. |
| Generation Rate | 1:1 rate (equal to the customers retail rate paid for purchased energy) | 1:1 rate (equal to the customers retail rate paid for purchased energy) |
| Excess Generation | Banked for future use within same calendar year | Banked for future use within same calendar year |
| Settle-Up | Year-end (December 31) | Year-end (December 31) |
| Aggregation |
No The generator must share the same meter as the customer |
Yes Dependent accounts must be within the same distribution zone, registered to the same legal entity, and share the same non-domestic rate |
| Payout |
No Excess generation at year-end would be applied towards any billed energy consumption within the same calendar year. Excess generation above the customers billed energy use within the same calendar year would not be purchased by NS Power. |
No Excess generation at year-end would be applied towards any billed energy consumption within the same calendar year. Excess generation above the customers billed energy use within the same calendar year would not be purchased by NS Power. |
Renewable electricity generation facilities produce environmental attributes associated with every MWh of electricity they generate. These environmental attributes have recognized value, and can be accounted for to create a REC. A tracking system can be used to register the attributes and their owner, as each REC is given a unique number that allows them to be traced from the generation source to the end user.
Certification requires that the renewable energy generators meet specific standards that consider environmental impact, and that the REC is being tracked and used in the way that it was intended. Certification for RECs in Canada can be through the UL EcoLogo label or the Green-e Standard. A renewable energy generator must be certified to issue certified RECs. Typically, this requires on-site evaluations, annual audits or evaluations to ensure that practices are in line with standards set by an independent third-party (e.g. UL EcoLogo, Green-e).
Registering RECs with an internationally recognized organization is typically done through a REC tracking system or a REC registry that services multiple electricity markets and jurisdictions in North America.
