Path-Q Solar
What information should I obtain about grid export rules before sizing solar?
Answer
Before sizing solar, obtain the utility's current export-credit rate, system-size and export limits, interconnection requirements, credit treatment, and any rules that could change after approval. These facts determine whether a larger system produces useful value or mainly creates lower-value exports.
Key points
- Ask how exported energy is valued and whether the rate differs from the import rate.
- Confirm whether export capacity is limited separately from installed solar capacity.
- Check application, inspection, meter, and permission-to-operate requirements.
- Ask whether batteries, export controls, or curtailment are required or permitted.
What it depends on
- Utility tariff and interconnection rules
- Existing electrical service capacity
- Proposed inverter and battery configuration
- Expected production and on-site consumption
Risks and trade-offs
- A system may be physically capable of producing more than it is allowed to export.
- A larger array can have diminishing financial value when exports receive low compensation.
- Adding export-control equipment can affect design, cost, and operating behavior.
Information you may need
- Current tariff and export-credit schedule
- Maximum allowed inverter, array, and export capacity
- Interconnection application requirements and timelines
- Rules for batteries, curtailment, and future rate changes
Your next step
What to do next
Request the utility's current interconnection and export documents before accepting a system design, then ask the installer to model the design against those constraints.
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