Net Metering

Net Metering Requirements

Net metering is an electricity billing mechanism that allows consumers who generate some or all of their own electricity to use that electricity anytime, instead of when it is generated. This is particularly important with renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are non-dispatchable. CCU does have a conditional policy allowing customer to net meter generation facilities with our utility.

It is generally CCU’s policy to allow net metering so long as the generation facility is sized to meet the load of the facility it is attached to. The limit of a commercial facility is 300 KW. CCU does NOT allow aggregated net metering. Additionally, any excess generation provided by the net metering generator will be trued up on a calendar year basis and any excess energy flowing to the utility will be credited at the cost of CCU’s cost of wholesale power from the utilities previous fiscal year which ends on September 30th of each year. CCU’s policy aligns with ACA ~ 23-18-604 although the municipal utility is NOT governed by the AR PSC. The policy is in accordance with ACA ~ 23-18-605 whereas the local governing body retains authority via ordinance related to the rules, regulations, and conditions which net metering shall take place.
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Net Metering Procedure for Customers
When a customer or solar company calls and asks about our procedures in getting set up with net metering, this is the process you can share with them.

  1. The developer contacts CCU and submits the proposed design for the facility along with the paperwork. Found on Website or we can print it off.
  2. Our internal staff reviews the plan and determines if it meets code and our criteria. 
    1. Part of our criteria is size of the facility based upon the load.
    2. The size should be designed to meet the needs of the specific location, the project is NOT to be oversized.
  3. Then we approve and provide the go ahead to get the permit from the city. 
  4. The developer installs the facility under the supervision/oversight of the City Building Inspector. 
  5. When completed the Building Inspector and our Utility Staff (including the metering department) inspects the final install and then places our meter on the location allowing the net metering to take place.
  6. Once that is completed, we sign off on the project and the customer is good to go.
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