Net Metering

Entergy Arkansas, Inc. offers an Optional Net Metering Service Schedule to qualified customers that generate electric power using solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, or qualified biomass resources. Net Metering is a means of crediting these customers for energy they supply to the grid while billing them for energy they consume from the grid. Net Metering is available to residential customers whose Net Metering facilities have generator capacity up to 25 kilowatts and to non-residential customers whose Net Metering facilities have generator capacity up to 300 kilowatts. Customers may not take service under the Optional Net Metering Service Schedule if they are already taking service under any other tariff with provisions for alternative source generation or co-generation.

With Net Metering, the kilowatt-hours produced by the customer and supplied to the grid offset the kilowatt-hours supplied to the customer in that month (net kilowatt-hours). If the customer sends more kilowatt-hours to the grid than used, the kilowatt-hours charge is zero that month. The kilowatt-hours generated by the customer in excess of the kilowatt-hours used are accumulated and credited to the customer in subsequent billing periods during the calendar year through December or until the accumulated balance has been depleted. Any accumulated net excess generation credit balance will expire at the end of each calendar year.

The utility is required to supply a meter at no charge capable of recording two-way electrical flows. If a non-standard meter is required, the additional cost of the non-standard meter will be paid by the customer. The customer will:

• Submit a completed application describing the generator system.
• Pay for the reasonable costs of connecting, switching, metering, transmission, distribution, safety provisions and administrative costs that are directly related to the interconnection and in excess of the corresponding costs if interconnection did not occur including:

- A one time charge for the additional cost of a non-standard meter if required.
- Normal charges under the rate schedules applicable to the customer (based upon the net kilowatt-hours).

• Sign a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net Metering Facilities following Entergy Arkansas’ approval of the customer’s application.
• Have a manual disconnect approved by the utility.
• Be able to synchronize with the utility and stay synchronized.
• Have safety measures that prevent the generator from feeding electricity to the utility when the line is non-energized, or in an abnormal voltage or frequency situation or cause a degradation of the safety or quality of power on the electrical grid (control packages are available to do this.)
• Meet performance and safety standards including:

- Entergy Arkansas' "Safety and Performance Standards for Net Metering Facilities," latest edition.
- Local and state laws, ordinances and codes.
- National codes such as the National Electric Code; National Electric Safety Code; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.; and Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission Net Metering Rules allow for Commission approved changes as experience is gained with Net Metering.

Please click here to submit any questions or to provide your contact information if you are ready to apply for Net Metering so that an Entergy Arkansas Engineer can contact you.