CSI—Metering and Performance Monitoring

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The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires that all existing residential customers and all new or existing commercial customers with PV systems install a meter to record the output of the PV generator. All EPBB Customers are allowed to use their inverter meters, so long as the accuracy is +/- 5% or better. All PBI customers, regardless of size must install a separate meter accurate to within +/- 2 percent, however. The CPUC further requires all customers to pay for 5 years of data communication and performance monitoring and reporting services (PMRS), subject to certain cost caps. Please refer to the California Solar Initiative Handbook and the table below for specific requirements and exemptions.

Metering Summary

	5% Meter	2% Meter	PMRS
EPBB < 10 kW	Required	Optional	Required*
EPBB ≥ 10 kW and < 20 kW	Required	Optional	Required*
EPBB ≥ 20 kW	Required	Optional	Required
PBI (All Systems)	N/A	Required	Required

• 5% Meter = Inverter Integrated
• 2% Meter = Standalone
• PMRS = Performance Monitoring and Reporting Service
• *Required unless the cost of the PMRS is above the cost cap (the cost of the minimum metering, communication, and reporting system over the first five years for each solar installation size grouping shall be less than 1% of total installed cost for systems up to 30 kW and 0.5% for larger systems. See CPUC Decision D.06-08-028). The customer seeking exemption must demonstrate to the Program Administrator that they were not able to satisfy the metering requirements within the applicable cost cap.
• N/A = Not Applicable

To ensure compliance with utility electric service requirements, compatibility between meter and data communication/ performance monitoring services, and to minimize costs, customers should decide which equipment and service providers they will use before the system is installed. It's best for customers to discuss these options with their solar vendors, integrators or solar contractors early in the design phase of their PV systems.

Customers should check with their solar vendors, integrators or solar contractors for qualified equipment and service providers. Customers may also check the CPUC's website, for certified Meter Service Providers (MSPs) and Meter Data Management Agents (MDMAs) qualified to do business within PG&E's service territory. Please note that all PV modules, inverters, meters and PMRS providers must be listed by the California Energy Commission's (CEC) on their Consumer Energy Center website to qualify for the rebate program.

PG&E provides meters and data communication/meter data management as a bundled service to CSI customers, if requested. We do not currently offer Performance Monitoring and Reporting Service, however. If you select PG&E as you meter and data communication service provider and you are not exempt from PMRS requirement, you should first check with your PMRS provider for compatibility with PG&E metering equipment. Customers who select PG&E as their meter service provider must install a meter socket and comply with all other applicable PG&E Electric and Gas Service ("Greenbook") Requirements. Please contact PG&E for a current list of equipment, services and prices.

Solar Metering and Monitoring Expo

The 2nd Annual Metering and Performance Monitoring Expo, held August 5-6 and hosted by SEPA and PG&E, drew nearly 500 PMRS installers, vendors, manufacturers, utility and non-profit industry representatives from across the country. Unexpectedly high attendance at the two-day series of presentations, conversations and workshops—including a session on PV integration with Smart Meters—underscored the demand for continued metering and service monitoring expositions as the industry evolves. The Expo will be offered again next year, folded into DistribuTECH 2009, taking place from Feb. 3-5, 2009 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Contacts Us

E-mail
solar@pge.com

Phone
Solar Customer Service Center 1-877-743-4112
Solar Hotline 415-973-3480 (solar application-related questions)

Mailing Address
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation - CSI
PO Box 7433
San Francisco, CA 94120

Street Address (for overnight deliveries)
PG&E Solar and Customer Generation - CSI
245 Market St., MC N7R
San Francisco, CA 94105-1797