Solar / Wind
More and more people are adding renewable power generation to their homes or businesses. Solar and wind are two popular options for generating electricity. There are several configurations, but if a property owner wants to tie into the grid, they need to work within the city’s net metering requirements.
Net Metering
Idaho Falls Power's net metering program allows customers to generate their own electricity, through the use of renewable energy sources, while maintaining a connection to the City’s electrical grid. The program enables customers to offset their electricity with on-site generation and utilize electricity from Idaho Falls Power when their production doesn't meet their needs. Customers can sell excess electricity back to Idaho Falls Power. For more information, please email us or call (208) 612-8430.
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.
Eligible Renewable Energy Sources
Wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydro or fuel cell.
Installation Standards and Compliance
All systems must be installed in accordance with the standards outlined in Idaho Falls Power's 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 an Interconnection Agreement must be approved by Idaho Falls Power.
A net meter operates the same way as a standard electric meter, unless the system is generating more energy than the house or business is using. In those situations, the excess power generated is delivered onto the City’s electrical grid, and Idaho Falls Power buys that excess power from the customer at the current fluctuating market rate.
All residential customers pay an $20 monthly service charge. This charge is not tied to the amount of energy you consume from Idaho Falls Power. Each customer is responsible for this charge, regardless of the energy production from their renewable system.
Payment for power generated by your renewable system will depend upon the amount of power you generate and use.
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 Generate 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.
In addition to federal tax credits and low interest loans from the State of Idaho, the power generated will reduce the amount owed on your utility bill. Before you go out and buy solar panels, though, keep in mind that you'll need to submit your plan to Idaho Falls Power (IFP) for review and approval. You'll also need a permit through the city's Planning and Building Department. Once the equipment has been installed, IFP staff will install a new meter and related equipment.
- Customer contacts Idaho Falls Power to obtain size limitations of their on-site generation system
- Customer obtains a building permit from City of Idaho Falls Building Department
- Customer submits required documents to City of Idaho Falls Building Department & uploads documents to TrakIt:
- Submit One-Line Drawings, with design and components list;
- Submit Interconnection Agreement
- City of Idaho Falls must review all required documents after they are uploaded to TrakIt. The City will complete the following tasks:
- Electrical Review – Building Division;
- Interconnection Agreement & One-Line Drawings – Idaho Falls Power;
- Building Review – Building Division
- Once review is complete with "approved" in all fields, customer begins installation and completes rough-in of electrical work
- Customer schedules rough-in inspection with the City Building Department to be inspected on the same day as installation
- City Building Department completes rough-in inspection
- City Building Department updates TrakIt with "pass/fail" and notes
- Customer completes installation of on-site generation, once the rough-in inspection is complete with a "pass"
- Customer schedules final electrical inspection with building department
- Building Department completes final electrical inspection
- Idaho Falls Power completes service order for net meter installation
- Idaho Falls Power installs net meter
- Customer may now turn the onsite generation to the "on" position
