Austin Energy - Net Metering

Eligibility and Availability

Austin Energy, the municipal utility of Austin Texas, offers net metering to its non-residential retail electricity customers for renewable energy systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW). Austin Energy offers the Value of Solar rate instead of net metering for residential customers with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems no larger than 20 kW. The current Performance Based Incentive Rate being accepted is $0.09/kWh for a ten year term.

The definition of renewable includes solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave and tidal energy, biomass, and biomass-based waste products, including landfill gas.

Systems must be used primarily to offset a portion or all of a customer's on-site electric load. Metering is accomplished using a single meter capable of registering the flow of electricity in both directions (delivered and received) to determine net energy flows. All systems must meet the requirements of Austin Energy's interconnection guidelines and the customer is responsible for all interconnection costs.

Net Excess Generation

Customers that generate more electricity than they consume during a monthly billing period will receive a credit for net excess generation (NEG) at the appropriate avoided cost rate.