7/30/01
summer 2001
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nNet Metering Requirements for Grid Connection
nof Renewable Resources
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nMontana Power Company (MPC) customer owned generation may be interconnected to MPC’s distribution system using a technique known as “Net Metering”.   A net metering system is one which:  1.  Uses as it’s fuel renewable resources; defined to be solar, wind or hydropower.  2.  Has a generating capacity of not more than 50 (fifty) kilowatts.  3.  Is located on the customer-generators premises.  4.  Operates in parallel with the MPC distribution system.  5.  Is intended primarily to offset part or all of the customer-generator’s requirements for electricity.  Parallel generation is covered in the MPC Electric Service Requirements and Guidelines section 7.08 .  Systems generating more than 50 kilowatts will be handled on an individual basis and will require a special contract between the customer and the utility.
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nAny net metered system interconnected with MPC’s distribution system is expected to use MPC’s distribution system for backup power, and so shall not employ any non-renewable resource to provide power, e.g. propane fired engine generator.  These types of generator interconnections are addressed in the MPC Electric Service requirements and Guidelines section 7.07. 
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nThese requirements are designed to ensure that the generating facility will meet the utility’s safety and power quality requirements.  In particular, the requirements are designed to prevent back-feeding of power from the generating facility to the utility grid during power outages, and to match the utility’s own power characteristics with respect to voltage and frequency.
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