Micro-Generation and Net Metering: For Projects Greater than 10kW, up to 500kW

What is Net Metering?

Net Metering is a system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a public-utility power grid and surplus power is transferred onto the grid, allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility.  Net Metering projects are grouped into three sizes:

• projects with a capacity of 10kW or less
• projects with a capacity greater than 10kW and up to 500kW
• projects with a capacity larger than 500kW

Each of these groups has a different application process. The following outlines how to apply for a Net Metering project that has a capacity greater than 10kW, up to 500kW.

Net metering enables Burlington Hydro customers who generate more power than they consume to receive a credit on their electricity bill for all surplus power delivered to the grid.

For all generation projects, contact Burlington Hydro at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Net Metering Application Process for Projects Greater than 10kW, up to 500kW

In order to be eligible for a micro-renewable energy project, the proper application process, set by the LDC (hereinafter referred to as Burlington Hydro), must be completed by the Applicant and approved by Burlington Hydro. Please note that the Applicant is responsible for monitoring the status of their application and ensuring that all deadlines are met.

Step 1 – Preliminary Consultation with Burlington Hydro (optional)

Prior to submitting an official application, the Applicant has the option to submit:

1. Pre-Generation Consultation Application
2. Permission to Release Account Information form (only required if the request is submitted by a third party). 

The application gives Burlington Hydro some high-level details about the project and initiates a search for connection details and available capacity.  

Burlington Hydro then responds to the Applicant via email and the Applicant can review their options and decide if they would like to move forward with an official application for their net metering project. 

Step 2 – Connection Application

When submitting an official application package for a Net Metering project that has a capacity greater than 10kW, up to 500kW, the Applicant must submit: 

1. Form B: Connection Impact Assessment Application (stamped by a Professional Engineer)
2. Single Line Diagram (stamped by a Professional Engineer) 
3. Site Plans (stamped by a Professional Engineer) 
4. Specification Sheets for inverters and generators 
5. Connection Impact Assessment Application processing fee of $5,413.00 plus HST 

Also, an ESA Connection Authorization must be provided before the final testing and energization of the project can take place. 

Soft copies of all documents should be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and one set of hard copies must be mailed to: 

Burlington Hydro Inc. 
Attn: Generation 
1340 Brant St 
Burlington ON L7R 3Z7 

Note that applications will not be processed until Burlington Hydro validates that all necessary information has been properly included in the application package and the application processing fee has been received. If adjustments to the application are needed, a Burlington Hydro engineering technician will advise the applicant. 

Step 3 – Burlington Hydro Review and Connection Proposal Package

Once it is confirmed that the application is valid and the Connection Impact Assessment application fees are paid, Burlington Hydro will confirm capacity for the requested project and perform a Connection Impact Assessment. If the project passes the assessment, a Connection Proposal Package is sent to the Applicant within 60 calendar days. If the project passes the assessment, a Connection Proposal Package is sent to the Applicant within 60 calendar days. If the project does not pass the Connection Impact Assessment, Burlington Hydro will follow up with possible next steps for the applicant.

Step 4 – Customer Acceptance of Project

As per the instructions listed in the Connection Proposal Package, the Applicant must then: 

• Sign and return a Net Metering Connection Agreement
• Fill out and return a Schedule F: Contacts for Notice form (provided in the Connection Proposal Package)
• Pay all necessary connection fees listed in the Offer to Connect Letter (Note that this should be paid before scheduling any construction) 
• Complete a pre-construction meeting with a Burlington Hydro technician (Note that Burlington Hydro requires 4 weeks advanced notice to book the pre-construction meeting) 
• Construct the project as per the standards, specifications, and approved design included given with the Offer to Connect Letter.
• Submit an As-Built Single Line Diagram upon completion 

The Applicant has one year from the date of the Offer to Connect Letter to energize their project. The Offer to Connect Letter is included in the Connection Proposal Package. 

Step 5 – Construction and Connection

When the project has been approved by the Electrical Safety Authority, a copy of the ESA Authorization Certificate must be sent to Burlington Hydro’s Engineering Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly from the Electrical Safety Authority (it cannot come from the applicant). The project will not be tested or connected until this document has been received. 

Once Burlington Hydro has the ESA Authorization Certificate on file, the Applicant can then contact the Engineering Desk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to schedule the installation of the bi-directional meter, as well as make an appointment for a Burlington Hydro representative to witness the testing and commissioning of the project. When the meter is installed, a lock is placed on the DG disconnect. After testing, a Compliance Summary is issued to the Applicant detailing all items checked during testing and commissioning with a pass/fail grade and listing any other deficiencies. All issues listed must be rectified prior to removing the lock. 

Once all deficiencies are proven corrected, the Applicant can then contact the Burlington Hydro Engineering Desk at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and schedule to have the lock removed from the DG disconnect. Once removed, the Net Metering project can be energized by the project owner. 

Step 6 – Account Maintenance and Ongoing Generation

When the project is energized and operational, Burlington Hydro will process the account changes and begin issuing credit for generated energy. 

It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the project owner to monitor the status of the generation project. Burlington Hydro is not responsible for reporting on generation data or notifying the project owner if generation stops.

Questions About the Process

What are the technical requirements?

For requirements and guidelines associated with the connection of an embedded generation projects greater than 10kW, up to 500kW, please refer to the following documents: 

• ESA Guidelines 
• Ontario Regulations for Net Metering 
• Burlington Hydro’s Conditions of Service 
• Distribution System Code

Where can I apply?

Forms should be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. after they are completed.

What is the approval process? Who are the governing bodies?

All application documents are reviewed and approved by Burlington Hydro in conjunction with other involved utilities and the Electrical Safety Authority. 

What are the phases/stages and deadlines of the application process? 

Once a complete and accurate Net Metering application and a Connection Impact Assessment study payment has been received by Burlington Hydro, we will follow up with a Connection Proposal Package within 60 days. The Applicant then has one year from the date of the Offer to Connect Letter to complete all necessary actions and energize the project. If the project is not connected in the one-year deadline, the Offer to Connect is no longer valid.

Are there any conditions that could void the application? 

The application could be rejected at any time if the Applicant does not meet the necessary requirements or deadlines.

Questions About Net Metering Accounts

How does my Net Metering account work?

The crediting system for net metering is solely based on generation versus consumption each month. The generated power is directly subtracted from consumed power on the statement - based on dollars. If the project generates more power than it consumes, a dollar credit bank is created and is carried over to the next month and so on for up to 12 months. Generally, projects generate more electricity than they use in the summer and use up the credit carried forward through the winter months.

Please note that income is never generated for net metering accounts; if there is a credit surplus left over after the 12-month period, it is zeroed out.

Your pricing options will be based on your rate class. After you apply, Burlington Hydro will review your rate class and provide the available options.

What requirements are there?

In order to activate a Net Metering account, you must have an active load account with Burlington Hydro and your generation project must have a bi-directional meter installed. A bi-directional meter can only be installed after the Net Metering application process is complete.

What about HST?

As part of the process outlined above, you are required to provide an HST registration number, if applicable. If you do not have an HST registration number, please indicate this on the connection application form. Note that after your generation credits are subtracted from your monthly bill, any amount owing to Burlington Hydro each month will still have HST included in the final total.

If I move, who should I notify and what happens to my account?

If you should sell your property and leave the Net Metering project installed at the location, the generation credit will be issued to your account until your final date as the account holder for that address. At that point the account is zeroed out. On the property transfer date (closing date) and moving forward, the generation credit will be allotted to the new generation account for that address which is created by the new property owner. 

How often will I receive an account statement? What will it look like?

Just as you did with your original Burlington Hydro account, you will receive a monthly statement in the mail. The new document will look the same as your original account statement, other than it will have an extra line item added to list your generation for that month.

What are the associated fees with my account?

Your Net Metering account will have all the same monthly fees as your original Burlington Hydro account.

Can I redirect my credits to another address?

No. Credits are directly applied to the account on which they are generated.

Will my monthly statement change?

The layout of your monthly statement from Burlington Hydro does not change; the only difference is that any generated credits are subtracted from your total amount owing.

Common terms used or related to Net Metering