Renewable Energy Connection Steps
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, Inc.
17 South Liberty Street
New Concord, OH 43762
800-521-9879
For Cooperative members interested in installing a renewable energy source such as wind or solar, we ask that you contact us for the proper forms to complete. Often renewable installers will complete the forms as they are electrically technical.
As a member of the Cooperative, we have a long-term relationship and encourage you to review and have “comfort” with your installer before signing.
The minimum steps to interconnect and have a net-billing arrangement require:
- APPLICATION FOR A DISTRIBUTED ENERGY SOURCE
- Compliance with the Technical Guidelines for Interconnection and Parallel Operations
- A visual “bladed” disconnect at Service Disconnect to a) Disconnect Entire Service or
b) Disconnect Renewable Source from Service
- A one-line diagram of Renewable System and Interconnection
- Datasheets on panels and inverter(s) for UL
- Proof of liability insurance according to agreement
- AGREEMENT FOR INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF A QUALIFYING COGENERATION OR SMALL POWER PRODUCTION FACILITY WITH NET BILLING
- Pay an application fee of $225 to Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, Inc.
- A professional engineer with the Cooperative will review the system for safety and the National Electric Code.
- Once the system is reviewed, installation may begin.
- Please DO NOT begin System Installation without Cooperative approval. Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, Inc. will work with members and their installers to keep the process moving forward.
- After system completion, the Cooperative will make a final inspection and install a new meter or reprogram your current meter.
- The Cooperative will read these meters each month.
There is a renewable energy rate that applies to net-billed accounts. When your system generation cannot meet the demand of your home, power will be pulled from our lines and billed using the rates below.
Net Billing Rate*
Service Availability $ 42.00
First 2000 kWh/month $ 0.12110
Next 13000 kWh/month $ 0.12264
Over 15000 kWh/month $ 0.12208
Sample Bill for 500 kWh $ 102.55
Sample Bill for 1000 kWh $ 163.10
Sample Bill for 2000 kWh $ 284.20
Each kWh generated in excess of your service demand will be metered and placed back on our distribution system and credited at a rate of $0.0770 per kWh.
Farm and Home Rate*
Service Availability $ 24.00
First 500 kWh/month $ 0.13634
Next 1500 kWh/month $ 0.12310
Next 13000 kWh/month $ 0.12264
Over 15000 kWh/month $ 0.12208
Sample Bill for 500 kWh $ 92.17
Sample Bill for 1000 kWh $ 153.72
Sample Bill for 2000 kWh $ 276.82
Example of a solar home that uses 2000 kWh/month
- Before Solar: $276.82
If Solar generates 50% of electricity or 1000 kWh/month
- With Solar: $163.10
Why is the Service Availability higher for Cogeneration?
Having electric service “available” has fixed costs which all members share. Outage restoration, right-of-way clearing, poles, transformers, bill generation, audits, and more regardless of how many kWhs are used. These accounts have a programmed meter and require a manual read each month. In order to be equitable to all members, cogeneration accounts should use fewer kWhs at a lower rate but still pay their share.
*Rate as of 2-1-22 – Subject to change without notice
Guernsey-Muskingum Electric exists to serve all members as a non-profit Cooperative. We encourage members to carefully evaluate all renewable energy proposals. We can be a reliable resource to contact, as your decision to use renewables has virtually no impact on the cooperative.