Hetch Hetchy Power Customer-Owned Generation and Net Energy Metering Programs

IMPORTANT: The installation and interconnection of self-generation equipment, including any photovoltaic solar or battery storage systems requires the submission of an interconnection application and SFPUC approval. Our solar Net Energy Metering programs, and our interconnection and application process are explained below. Please contact hhpower@sfwater.org should you need further assistance. 

What is Net Energy Metering? 

Net energy metering is a billing arrangement that allows customers with solar or qualifying renewable generation to receive monetary credits for any renewable energy generated onsite that is exported across our service connection point back to the utility. This can occur as an example when your solar system is sized to match your full 24/7 annual energy consumption that takes place both in the day and in the night when your solar system is in the dark and not generating. Think of net metering as a utility provided free energy storage program that avoids your need to install expensive batteries, allowing you to maximize the financial benefits of a larger solar system. 

Generally, when your home or business is net-metered, any amount of renewable electricity your system exports to the utility is recorded and receives a monetary credit that lowers your monthly bill. Also, in a monthly billing cycle, should your system generate credits exceeding your electric bill, unused credit will be applied to your next bill.

Hetch Hetchy Power offers a standard net energy metering program, as well as a virtual net energy metering, that allows energy produced by a single larger solar system (or other renewable generating facility) to be credited to multiple contiguously located accounts. There is also a limited net energy metering program serving only municipal customers. Other rules and restrictions may apply according to each of the Net Metering Tariff programs below.

Net Energy Metering Programs

As a Hetch Hetchy Power customer, you may be eligible for one of the following net energy metering offerings:

• NEM-SFPUC  (A standard net energy metering served directly by Hetch Hetchy Power controlled and owned electric distribution systems)

• NEM-ShaRE (A virtual net energy metering program for customers served directly by Hetch Hetchy Power controlled and owned electric distribution systems)

• NEM-CCSF (A limited net energy metering program for Hetch Hetchy Power municipal electric customers served on certain PG&E owned and controlled electric distribution systems. Contact us at hhpower@sfwater.org to obtain further details about this offering)

Electric customers are not required to participate in a net energy metering program. All Hetch Hetchy Power customers wanting to participate in net energy metering must obtain approval to interconnect and export to the grid, and may be limited based on several factors such as customer class and connection type, electric system capacity, or other system limitations including some imposed by PG&E to access its electric distribution system. Hetch Hetchy Power net energy metering programs are subject to rules and limitations noted in Rates, Schedules, and fees for Hetch Hetchy Power and CleanPowerSF Hetch Hetchy Electric Rates.

For questions about which net energy metering program you may be eligible for, or should you need further assistance, please contact hhpower@sfwater.org.

Customer-Owned Generation and Battery Interconnections

As an electric customer, whenever you plan to install a generator or battery storage system that will produce and discharge electricity while you are simultaneously connected to your utility electric service, you must obtain 1) a building permit from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and 2) an interconnection agreement from your electric utility, and written permission to operate prior to interconnecting your system.

The purpose of the interconnection agreement is to assure that the system will be able to function properly when connected to the utility's electric system, and that it also contains all the design features and controls needed to help protect and safeguard both you the utility, under normal operation and in the event of an outage. Without such safeguards in place, a system could potentially produce harmful electricity that can damage your home and appliances, the utility or neighbors, and possibly electrocute a utility line-worker who is working to restore electric service during an outage.

To obtain an interconnection agreement, follow the How Does the Interconnection and Net Energy Metering Application Process Work? section below. Should you need further assistance, please contact hhpower@sfwater.org.

If you are an existing Hetch Hetchy Power electric customer and should you or your system designer/installer need historical energy data to assist with the sizing and design of your system, you can log into MyAccount and select the Green Button feature. 

Systems must be designed in accordance with the following rules and regulations:

• Hetch Hetchy Power's Rules and Regulations Governing Electric Service
• Appendix F: Interconnection Metering and Operating Requirements for Generating Facilities

For additional information on how to request service and service modifications, please visit Design Guidelines and Standards.

How Does the Interconnection and Net Energy Metering Application Process Work? 

1. Apply for Interconnection

To start, you first need to apply to interconnect your solar system, battery, or other generating facility to the utility electric system. (This interconnection application is called a customer-owned generator interconnection application since the Hetch Hetchy Power customer owns the solar installation, battery, or other type of generating facility.)

Interconnection Application

The Hetch Hetchy Power Customer Engagement team will respond that an application was received and will notify the customer if they need to pay any fees or provide additional information. Hetch Hetchy Power may require an interconnection study. The application process may take up to six months. See the design guidelines and additional information resources noted above.

2. Submit an SFPUC Net Energy Metering Program Application 

If you are interested in participating in one of the SFPUC’s net energy metering programs, complete and submit either the corresponding Net Energy Metering Application and Acknowledgement Form for NEM-SFPUC (standard net energy metering) or NEM-ShaRE (virtual net energy metering) to hhpower@sfwater.org. The Customer Engagement team will confirm an application was received and will notify the customer if they need additional information. If the application is approved, upon execution of an interconnection agreement, the customer will see the net energy program billing rate applied to the account once the system is properly energized.

NEM-SFPUC Application

NEM-ShaRE Application

Which Net Energy Metering Program is For Me?

The net energy metering program you may qualify for depends on a number of factors like customer class and type. Navigate to your section below for additional details. If you need assistance, please contact us at hhpower@sfwater.org.