Distributed Generation Program

IFP's Distributed Generation Program is designed to allow customers the opportunity to generate electricity through the use of renewable energy sources (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal, small hydro, etc.) while still maintaining a connection to the electric grid, providing a reliable source of power during times when the customer's system is unable to offset usage.

How the Program Works

Upon approval and installation of the generation system, IFP will install a new meter and change your customer classification. The new meter will operate the same as a standard electric meter, unless your generation system is producing more power than the house or business is using. In those times, the power flowing, in reverse, to IFP's electrical grid is also metered. At the end of the billing cycle, the customer is billed or credited for the net power consumed or generated during that period. That figure is determined by subtracting the amount of energy that was sent to IFP's system from the energy IFP sent to the customer.

Price and Payments

If You Use More Energy Than You Generate:
Your system's generation will offset the amount of power that IFP delivers to your home. For every kilowatt-hour IFP delivers, you are charged IFP's electric retail rate based on your classification, residential or commercial.

If You Generated More Energy Than You Use:
If your system generates more electricity than you used during a billing cycle, the excess electricity that is generated from your system will be delivered onto the city's electrical grid. Idaho Falls Power will purchase the excess electricity at the fluctuating electric market rate. See the current rates by visiting the website: www.theice.com/marketdata/reports/142

Program Requirements

The first step is to attend a brief orientation session with an IFP representative. Please call 208-612-8430 to arrange a meeting.

Renewable Size & Limitations

Per Idaho Falls Power Service Policy, customer owned generation facilities shall have a maximum annual generation capacity of no more than the previous 12 months of electric usage, although exceptions to sizing limits can be made if historic consumption warrants.

Installation Standards and Compliance

All systems must be installed in accordance with the standards outlined in the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy.

Required Forms

A construction permit from the City Building Department is required before modifying the electrical system on your home or business, and interconnection agreement must be executed with system design approved by IFP.

Tax and State Incentives

State and federal tax incentives may be available.

For information regarding the state of Idaho tax incentives, visit the Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources website: energy.idaho.gov, or call the OEMR office at 208-332-1660.

For federal tax incentives, visit www.energy.gov.

For more information, please review the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy.

Process

1. Customer contacts Idaho Falls Power to obtain size limitations of their on-site generation system.
2. Customer obtains a building permit from City of Idaho Falls Building Department.
3. Customer submits required documents to City of Idaho Falls Building Department.
   • Submit One-Line Drawings, with design and components list
   • Submit Net Metering Application
4. City of Idaho Falls must review all required documents.
   • Electrical Review – Building Division
   • Interconnection Agreement & One-Line Drawings – Idaho Falls Power
   • Building Review – Building Division
5. Once review is complete and approved, the City of Idaho Falls Building Department issues necessary permits to the customer.
6. Customer installs system.
7. The customer contacts the City of Idaho Falls Building Department for final inspection.
8. The City of Idaho Falls building inspector notifies Idaho Falls Power that the system was inspected and is ready for a net meter to be installed.
9. Idaho Falls Power meter technician installs the new meter and notifies the City of Idaho Falls Utility Office of the new net metering customer.
10. 10. Utility Department changes account type to ‘Net Metering' & Idaho Falls Power notifies the customer that they are set-up for net metering.

Have a question?

208-612-8430
ifpinfo@ifpower.org