My Green Power Connection FAQs

Do you have questions about the interconnection process? How does net metering work and what are renewable energy credits? How will having solar impact my bill? Search our FAQs to get answers to common questions about going solar and more.

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General

Content Query

What is an “Interconnection?”: An Interconnection is an electric connection between a utility's energy grid and a private generation system that has the capability to send energy to a utility's energy grid. Private generation systems that can send energy to a utility's energy grid are also referred to as distributed generation (DG).

Photovolatic Solar generates electricity and is considered a generator that can distribute electricity to the grid. It does this through a Net Meter, which allows any excess solar-generated electricity to flow backwards into the grid, effectively allowing you to use the grid as your storage space.

This means that during the day—when your homes’ electric use may be lower than the amount of electricity that your solar generation system is producing—the unused electricity will flow through the Net Meter into the grid for use elsewhere. In the evening—after the sun goes down and the solar stops producing electricity—you will pull electricity from the grid to power your home. The Net Meter's job is to track the difference between what you've given to the grid vs. what you have taken, i.e. the net amount of electricity not produced by your solar generation system.
Do I need to submit an interconnection application in order to connect my solar (and/or wind turbine, co-generators, batteries, etc.) to the grid?: Yes, an Interconnection Application is required for all private generation systems that can send energy to the smart grid. An Interconnection Application is needed to determine if:
• There is enough capacity on the smart grid for energy sent from your private generation system,
• Any work needs to be performed and the cost of that work, and
• a private generation system is compatible with the smart grid.
If my energy is not supplied by BGE, do I still need to submit an Interconnection Application to BGE?: Yes. If BGE is not your energy supplier, BGE will still connect you to the smart grid and deliver energy to you when your private generation system does not produce all the energy you need. You will still need to submit an Interconnection Application to BGE.
How do I start the Interconnection Application process?: Visit My Green Power Connection on BGE.com to access information about the Interconnection Application process and get help choosing the right application.
Is there an application fee and how is it determined?: Application fees are required for all Level 2 - 4 Interconnection Applications. For more information, please visit BGE’s Applying for Interconnection page.
Can application fees be mailed to BGE?: Yes. Please send payment via check or money order payable to "BGE" to the following address (do not send cash):
BGE
GPC Team
1068 N Front St
3^rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Why could my Interconnection Application be delayed or denied?: An Interconnection Application could be delayed or denied if required information is incomplete or missing, documents are unsigned, or any required payments are not included.
Can I operate my generation system prior to receiving the final written Permission to Operate?: No. As a final step, BGE will send you a Certificate of Completion. It contains information about the interconnection equipment to be used, its installation, and should include proof, such as a copy of a certificate of inspection, that the installation has been inspected and approved by the local inspection authority. You must complete and return the certificate to BGE after the installation is completed and final electrical inspector approval has been obtained.
In addition, all funds (if applicable) due to BGE related to the requested interconnection services must be received by the company before interconnection to BGE's electric system can occur.
Does my private generation system need to be inspected by my municipality?: Yes. BGE requires proof of passed inspection by your municipality.
What is "net metering?": When you participate in net metering, you can lower your energy bill by producing some of the energy you use with an eligible solar energy system installed at your home or business. Your energy bills will reflect the net amount of energy you use (i.e., the amount of energy delivered to you minus the excess energy sent to the smart grid). Net metering allows you to receive kilowatt hour credits on your energy bill when you generate more electricity than you use in a month.
What are net metering credits?: If your electric rates qualify, you may receive net metering credits. These credits that appear on your energy bill will reflect the value of the excess energy (in kilowatt hours) produced by your solar energy system and sent to the smart grid.
What rates qualify for net metering?: ALL BGE rates are eligible for net metering with the exception of 48RD, 49EV, and unmetered Private Area Lighting accounts. 49EV is a rate for customers with an electric vehicle. Unmetered Private Area lighting accounts are billed a fixed dollar amount and do not have a meter.
How do I qualify to participate in net metering?: You are eligible to participate in net metering if you own or operate an eligible, private solar energy system less than or equal to 2,000kW (AC-rated) for your own use. To participate in net metering, your system should be sized to meet some or all your energy needs and cannot produce more than 110% of your most recent 12-months of energy usage. PSC rules state customers can generate up to 200% of baseline usage.

You can participate in net metering after receiving approval of your net metering application and a signed Certificate of Completion from BGE confirming your system has been installed.
What type of meter is required for net metering?: To participate in net metering, the BGE meter at your location must be capable of measuring the amount of energy we deliver to you and the excess amount you sent to the smart grid. BGE will verify the type of meter currently installed at your location. If you have a smart meter, you will receive a Smart Net Meter. If you do not have a smart meter, you will receive an ERT (non-smart) Net Meter.
Are there any charges for the meter needed to participate in net metering?: No. There are no current charges for net metering.
Where do I obtain BGE's net metering application?: Visit: http://bge.com/MyGPC
Email: GPCTeam@bge.com

Address:

BGE
GPC Team
1068 N. Front St,
3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
What rate does BGE pay for customer-generated electricity?: BGE pays customer-generators at the Standard-Offer-of Service (SOS) rate. The dollar value of net excess generation shall be equal to the generation or commodity portion of the rate that the eligible customer-generator would have been charged by BGE averaged over the number of months the account was been net negative. For customers served by an electric supplier, the dollar value of the net excess generation shall be, if available, equal to the average generation or the commodity rate the customer would have been charged by the electric supplier of record. BGE will contact the electric supplier and they will provide the rate.
Can I participate in net metering if I change electric suppliers?: Yes. You are eligible for net metering if you change electric suppliers.
How will I be compensated for my energy production?: For all monthly metered customers, BGE will provide you with a credit for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) it receives from you up to the total amount of electricity BGE delivers to you during each billing period. This allows you the ability to net your “monthly usage” down to “zero” each month. Please note that you are still responsible to pay the monthly customer charge and other applicable charges under your rate schedule.

If you produce more energy than you use each month, this excess will be carried forward to a future month and will be used to help net down a future month's bill.
At the end of the net metering year (April 1), you will receive a credit for any existing kilowatt-hours produced in excess of the kilowatt-hours received from BGE.
Is there a limit to how much excess generation BGE will purchase?: An eligible customer-generator’s proposed electric generating system may not exceed 200 percent of the eligible customer-generator’s baseline annual usage. BGE will purchase up to 200 percent of excess generation.
What if I move into a property that has an existing private generation system installed?: If you move into a home or business with a private generation system already installed, you can participate in Net Metering by submitting an Interconnection Change Notice. You do not need to submit a new Interconnection Application.
For more information, email GPCTeam@bge.com
What is a Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC)?: A solar renewable energy credit (SREC) represents the environmental benefits of producing 1,000 kWh of energy by a solar energy system. The value of SRECs is measured in $/MWh (1 MWh = 1,000 kWh).
Will BGE purchase my SRECs or offer solar rebates?: No.
Will I still get a bill if I generate more power than I use?: Yes. You will still receive a bill for the BGE monthly customer charge and any minimum distribution charges applicable to your rate schedule.
Will my generation system produce energy during a power outage?: For safety reasons, a private generating system's inverter that is connected to the smart grid is designed to shut down automatically when a power outage occurs.
Can BGE recommend a reputable solar contractor?: BGE cannot recommend a contractor for your solar project. However, information on how to find the best solar contractor for your project can be found here.
Why should I login to My Account to use the Solar Calculator?: By logging in, you’ll receive a more personalized evaluation. The system will automatically pull in your address and previous 12 months of usage information.
If I don’t have a My Account can I still use the solar calculator?: Yes. You can still use the calculator by answering a series of questions and providing estimated billing information, but you won't receive specific account usage calculations.
Is the Solar Calculator accessible via mobile device?: Yes.
What if the Solar Calculator outlines a roof that is not mine?: Click the "No, select a nearby roof" button and the tool will outline available nearby houses in orange for you to select.
How does the Solar Calculator assess my solar potential?: The Solar Calculate uses Mapdwell - Solar System, a rooftop-solar remote assessment platform that allows any community on earth to discover their underlying solar resources.
They map real-time solar opportunities – energy, daylight and shading – to bring efficiency to cities, buildings and homes and to optimize patterns of transportation.
How is the tool different for Residential vs Commercial?: 1. The Solar Report has different Environmental Impacts listed for Residential vs. Commercial

2. If you do an unauthenticated report, there is an extra question about what type of rate plan you have for commercial.
How do I know when the picture of my roof was taken?: The tool provides a date and time stamp, located underneath the address above the map.
How does the calculator know that my roof may be a good candidate for rooftop solar panel installation?: We estimate the solar production potential of your rooftop and determine that your roof has enough area with adequate sunlight to be considered a good candidate for solar deployment.
How does the calculator estimate upfront installation cost?: We provide a range associated with this installation cost, and in the remainder of the solar calculator report, use the mid-point of that range in calculating other costs and benefits. We calculate your installation cost by multiplying your system size by the cost per kilowatt (this is the midpoint). Installation Cost = 10.6kW x $2850/kW.
How did the calculator estimate payback period?: The payback period is the number of years until your cumulative financial benefits exceed your cost of installation (the midpoint of the cost range we provided). We calculate the solar benefits as the sum of incentives, rebates, and avoided electricity costs each year.
What do I do if I only have a set amount of money to spend on solar panels but want to use the calculator to see my results?: On the Solar Report page, in the System Size and Cost section, you can move the sliding bar over to your solar budget and it will adjust the report output.
What do I do if I am not a good candidate for solar?: Please visit BGE’s Ways to Save page to explore other energy management tools.

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Community Solar Energy Pilot Program

BGE Community Solar Energy Pilot Program

Who can apply to BGE’s CSEGS Pilot Program?

BGE will accept CSEGS Pilot Program applications from Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Subscriber Organizations for Community Solar Energy Generating Systems (“CSEGS”).

When will BGE accept applications?

BGE will begin accepting applications at 12 p.m. EDT, on June 28th, 2017.

How do you submit an application?

Applications can be submitted through the BGE Community Solar Web Portal.

Who can access the BGE Community Solar Web Portal?

Any PSC Approved Subscriber Organization can access the portal after first registering. The web portal registration sign in will be an email address with a user specified password.

What is the web portal for?

Signing on on at www.bge.com with the registered ID and password will take the user to the Community Solar Pilot Program dashboard. From the dashboard, the user will be able to perform the following functions:

Submit a Pilot Program application for a new project
Upload application files associated with a previously submitted pilot program application
See the status of previously submitted pilot program applications
Upload Subscriber Lists for previously submitted pilot program applications
NOTE: Only the account that submits the pilot program application will be able to see the pilot program application and take action(s) associated with it. Please keep this in mind when registering for access and submitting applications.

Does a Subscriber Organization need subscribers to apply to the Pilot Program?

Individual subscribers to Subscriber Organizations are not required at the time the Pilot Program application is submitted.

How can we get more information?

Any questions concerning the CSEGS Pilot Program application should be submitted to CSEGS-Coordinator@bge.com.

What information is necessary when applying?

Please submit the following supporting documents along with application.

Proof of an executed interconnection agreement;

An electronic receipt of an Interconnection Agreement fully executed by the applicant or conditional approval to interconnect a CSEGS from BGE.

Proof of application for all applicable permits;

A receipt confirming the filing fee from a local jurisdiction demonstrating application for at least one of the following permits;

a Site Plan Review Application;
a Zoning Conditional Use Application;
a Zoning Variance Application;
a Zoning Certificate of Use Application;
a Special Exception Application;
a Board of Appeals Hearing Application; or
a Building Permit Application.

If one of the previous is not available due to preliminary action required by the jurisdiction, the Subscriber Organization may provide a receipt confirming completion of the preliminary action in lieu of one of the permits listed above. If a Subscriber Organization is unable to provide confirmation of the required permit within 120 days of application, the Company may rescind the award of project capacity.

Proof of site control;

Evidenced by;

Evidence of property ownership;
An executed lease agreement; or
A signed option to purchase or lease

Evidence of Brownfield Status, if applicable