As the cost of wind generators and solar panels becomes more affordable, more and more people are installing these systems to help with their power needs. To accommodate FreeState Electric Cooperative members that wish to generate their own power, we have developed the following rates:

Net Metering (currently at maximum capacity per the tariff)
Renewable Energy Source

Net metering allows a member to offset some or all of their electrical requirements with their own renewable generation source. The generation can be banked, regardless of the time of generation, and then credited back to the member at any time during the current billing cycle.

A meter will measure the exported (excess member generated power) versus the imported power (power provided by the cooperative) over a specific billing period. The member receives full credit for the exported power. Any excess exported (member-generated) power above and beyond the member's consumption is granted to the cooperative at the end of each billing cycle.

• Renewable generators for residential accounts have a maximum capacity of up to 15kW

• Renewable generators for commercial/industrial/religious institution/local government/state government/federal government accounts have a maximum capacity of up to 100kW • Renewable generators for school accounts have a maximum capacity of up to 150kW

 • Accounts with 10kW and less renewable generation may apply with the Small Generating Facility Application process. Accounts with more than 10kW may be required to pay for a Distributed Generation Impact Study.

• Available until total rated generating capacity of all net metered systems equals or exceeds 1 percent of the FEC's peak demand during the previous year. At this time, net metering has reached this limit.

• Accounts shall appropriately size their generation to their expected load.

Parallel Generation 
Members also have the option to interconnect under two parallel generation riders where the member can sell exported (member-generated) power back to the cooperative at rates established by the Kansas Parallel Generation Act, which provides enhanced buyback for certain renewable energy generators qualifying under State law.

Parallel Rider A - Renewable Energy Source

Each billing cycle of approximately 30 days, the imported power (cooperative supplied power) is sold to the member at the retail rate; the exported power (member-generated power) is purchased by the cooperative at 150 percent of the wholesale monthly system average cost of energy per kWh. The generation and consumption are time-sensitive and banking is not allowed.

System-wide renewable generation sources are limited to a total capacity of 4 percent of FEC's peak demand under this Act.

• Renewable energy generators for residential accounts have a capacity of up to 25kW

• Renewable energy generators for commercial accounts have a capacity of up to 200kW

•Renewable generation installed in conjunction with irrigation systems can have no more than 10 pumps connected

 • Accounts with 10kW and less renewable generation may apply with the Small Generating Facility Application process. Accounts with more than 10kW may be required to pay for a Distributed Generation Impact Study.

• Accounts shall appropriately size their generation to their anticipated load.

Parallel Rider B - Non-Renewable Energy Source

This provides buyback for energy produced by non-renewable energy source generators up to 200kW. Each billing cycle of approximately 30 days, the imported power (cooperative supplied power) is sold to the member at the retail rate; the exported power (member-generated power) is purchased by the cooperative at 100% of the monthly system average cost of energy per kWh. The generation and consumption are time-sensitive and banking is not allowed.

What Is The Difference?
When a member considers whether to use "Net Metering" or "Parallel Generation", it is important to understand the differences. With "Parallel Generation" any exported power is measured by the meter and the cooperative purchases it from the member. With "Net Metering", any exported power is banked and can be withdrawn during each billing period. Excess exported power not withdrawn during the billing cycle is granted to the cooperative.

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