Interconnection of Member-owned Renewable Generation
Escambia Electric Cooperative (EREC) supports the use of member-owned renewable generation for facilities of 25 kilowatt (kW) or less. Upon facility approval, EREC will install a digital net meter to record kilowatt hour (kWh) usage from EREC and any member generation to the co-op. EREC members wishing to interconnect “member-owned renewable generation” to EREC’s electric distribution system are required to complete a Standard Interconnection Agreement and are subject to EREC’s Net Metering Rider.
Call EREC Before Signing Any Solar Agreements
To keep from being misinformed about EREC’s policy on solar agreements we ask members to call EREC before they make any commitments. Please call (850) 675-4521 or toll-free (800) 238-3848.
Member Requirements
(Required before solar activation)
- Standard Interconnection Agreement (PDF)
- Proof of at least $100,000 in liability insurance
- Call EREC 24 hrs Before Solar Installation to prevent back-feeding alarms
- County electrical permit showing solar inspection approval
- EREC must receive an electronic permit release from the county itself
- $50 application fee
The required documentation can be emailed or mailed to:
EREC
Attn: Member Services
PO Box 428, Jay, FL 32565.
Additional Information
- EREC’s Net Metering Rider (PDF)
- A solar array is sized by the AC nameplate generating capacity
- 2023 Solar Payback Rate – $0.03816 per kWh (varies annually)
- 2022 Solar Payback Rate – $0.03401 per kWh (varies annually)
- 2023 PowerSouth Solar Fixed Cost Recovery Charge – $3.48 x AC (Kw) Facility Output (varies annually)
- 2022 PowerSouth Solar Fixed Cost Recovery Charge – $2.93 x AC (Kw) Facility Output (varies annually)
- EREC’s members voted to pass PowerSouth’s Solar Fixed Cost Recovery Charge through to those utilizing solar at EREC’s 2021 Annual Meeting.
- For more information: PS Solar Fixed Cost Recovery Charge Page
Connections Steps
Call EREC Before Activating or Testing Solar PV System to Prevent Fees (EREC Meters send alarms when back-feeding occurs).
After all member requirements have been received and approved by EREC, a serviceman will schedule an appointment for a final inspection and install a net meter on the member’s service. After the net meter has been installed, the solar PV system is approved and authorized to be used on EREC’s distribution system.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Solar Energy FAQs
- For more information, please call us at (850) 675-4521.
EREC Solar Demonstration
View Live Data from EREC’s onsite solar demonstration.
Due to members’ growing interest in renewable energy sources – particularly solar — EREC has completed the construction of an on-site solar demonstration project. The solar array is for informational purposes designed to demonstrate objective and actual data for a typical, residentially-sized solar installation.
The 40-panel, roof-mount solar array at EREC’s headquarters in Jay, Florida, has a generating capacity of 10.6 kW (at the installed cost of approximately $35,000) and an estimated annual output of 14,600 kWh. This solar installation is sized to demonstrate the output needed to run the average member’s home – minus climate control during seasonal peaks.
The solar demonstration project is owned and operated by PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, the generation and transmission facility for EREC. Members are invited to call EREC to schedule a visit to view the solar demonstration to get actual operational data to make an informed decision if they are considering solar panel installation on their property.
Electricity supplied from renewable energy sources, such as solar, geothermal, wind, and various forms of biomass, help to reduce CO2 emissions as well as help lower demand on EREC’s power distribution system. These energy sources are considered renewable energy because their fuel sources are continuously replenished.
Solar Done The Right Way!
3 key principles that EREC tries to balance when considering solar power expansion are:
Safe
- Our top priority is keeping you, our linemen, and first responders safe
- For consumer-owned solar, safety issues include reverse power flow, which could electrocute linemen and fire fighters
Affordable
- We are committed to always delivering the lowest energy costs possible
- The cost of solar continues to decrease and we constantly monitor the cost and look for opportunities to incorporate solar into the co-op’s energy mix
- The reasons for the drop in price include: falling production costs as the market expands, the lower cost of materials, manufacturing efficiency, and innovative technological advancements
Reliable
- Large-scale solar generators managed by professionals are generally more efficient and have a lower cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity. Large-scale solar often includes trackers that allow the panels to follow the sun, and actually reduce the need for some peaking power in the late afternoon and evenings in the summer
- Until solar energy can be stored economically, there will be a need for traditional generation to provide backup power for solar generation.
What Incentives are available?
Federal: The federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC), allows you to deduct 30% of the cost of installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes through 2019; 26% through 2020; or 22% through 2021.