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Net Metering & DER < 10kW

Net Metering Overview Step-by-Step Guide for <10 kW Net Metering Connections Load Displacement FAQs MicroFIT / FIT Contracts

Home Renewable Energy DER <10 kW - Residential / Small Commercial

Power a Greener Future with Renewable Energy

At GrandBridge Energy, we’re committed to advancing a cleaner, more sustainable world through renewable energy. Our environmentally friendly generation programs not only help reduce your carbon footprint—they also offer long-term financial benefits. Whether you’re a homeowner or small business owner, we provide tailored green energy solutions designed to support your energy goals and contribute to a healthier planet. Join us in making the switch to cleaner power.

Man installing solar on his home

Net Metering

Net metering stores excess energy produced by your solar panel system in the electric grid.

Net metering lets you earn kilowatt hour-based credits for the electricity you generate to offset your home/business' electrical usage

How it Works

A bidirectional meter measures the electricity you generate and use within your home/business in a monthly billing period. The kilowatt hours you generate, but do not consume while generating, are sent back to the grid and are credited against your electricity usage as a net metering credit. If you use the electricity as you generate it, that electricity is not credited to you, but it is also not billed to you, instead reducing your home/business load.

If you generate more electricity in a monthly billing period than you have used, you are only credited for the kilowatt hours you consumed that month. The excess credit is stored for up to 12 months and will be applied against future usage. After 12 months, your credit bank is depleted. It cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or used as payment for other services.

You’ll receive two monthly statements: one for your home/business and one for your Net Metering account. Your monthly credit is calculated based on the same price plan you’ve selected for your home/business. You can select your preferred rate plan: Time-of-Use, Ultra Low Time-of-Use or Tiered Pricing. You can access your ‘My Account’ to compare price plans and select a plan that best suits your household needs.

Net metering customers are still subject to service charges on their electricity bills. View a breakdown of our commercial/residential rates on the Rates page to find out what charges are kilowatt-based and what charges are fixed monthly (not eligible for credit).

Step-by-Step Guide to Connecting a <10 kW Net Metering Project

Net Metering is a multi-step process that requires careful consideration. Applicants are cautioned NOT to incur any expenses until GrandBridge Energy approves the connection to the proposed generation facility and issues a service layout. Projects are not to be energized without ESA authorization and the installation of a bidirectional meter.

 

Net Metering Connection Process

Phase Description Form
1. Submit the Preliminary Request This application form is used to notify GrandBridge Energy of your intent to initiate a net metering generation project. It helps define the scope of work and determine the appropriate next steps. You will be required to upload the following datasheets: single line diagram (SLD), disconnect switch, solar panels and inverter information, battery backup system (if applicable). Access Micro-Distributed Generation Application Form
2. Receive an Offer to Connect GrandBridge Energy’s Offer to Connect outlines the cost to connect your Net Metering project to the local distribution grid. Payment must be made by cheque or money order before a service layout can be issued. To facilitate processing, please include a copy of your Offer to Connect with your payment.
Do not activate the system until GrandBridge Energy has installed a bidirectional meter following a successful ESA inspection and receipt of the Commissioning Verification Form.
3. Receive Service Layout Once the Offer to Connect has been paid, GrandBridge Energy will provide a service layout detailing the project scope. It is your responsibility to hire a qualified electrical contractor to install the net metering system in accordance with the layout.
4. Complete and Submit Facility Agreement and Generation Account Set Up Form • The New Generation Application Form is used to update your current electricity account and establish your new Net Metering account.

• The Micro-Distributed Generation Connection Agreement Form serves as the final confirmation and consent to move forward with your project.

Access New Generation Account Application

Access Micro-Distribution Facility Agreement

5. Meter Change & Commissioning To energize the project, an ESA inspection—referred to as Connection Authorization—and a completed Commissioning Verification Form (CVF) are required. The CVF must be completed on-site during the ESA inspection. Once GrandBridge Energy receives both the ESA inspection report and the completed CVF, our Customer Service team will coordinate the installation of the bidirectional meter. Access Micro Generation Commissioning Verification Online Form

Access Downloadable Commissioning Verification PDF

Load Displacement (Renewable & Non-Renewable)

Load displacement refers to behind the meter generation.

The output of the generation facility is used or intended to be used exclusively for the customer’s consumption. It allows the customer to use renewable and non-renewable generation, including battery storage to offset their load consumption and enable them to be in control of their energy requirements. Load displacement only offsets your current power usage without any credit for excess power.

The latest Load Displacement rules are available on the Ontario Energy Board Website.

To begin a load displacement project, follow the steps provided below. 

Email for Inquiries
Example of a home battery storage set up

Battery storage systems reduce peak usage by charging off-peak from the grid or renewables and discharging during peak hours to lower grid demand

Load Displacement FAQs

  • Complete the Micro Distributed Generation Form
  • Complete the Micro-Distributed Generation Connection Agreement Form
  • Complete the Commissioning Verification Form the day of ESA Inspection
Micro Distributed Generation Form Micro Distributed Generation Connection Agreement Connection Verification Form
  • Cost Savings: Customers can charge their battery during off-peak times and use it during peak times, reducing energy costs.
  • Rate Protection: It helps mitigate the impact of rising rates by offsetting energy costs.
  • Battery Storage Systems: Battery storage systems can be used for load displacement. During off-peak hours, the batteries can be charged using electricity from the grid or a renewable energy source. During peak hours, the stored energy in the batteries can be used, reducing the electricity drawn from the grid.
  • Solar Panels: Solar panels can generate electricity during the day, which can be used immediately, reducing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid. Any excess electricity generated can be stored in a battery during the night or during high electricity demand.
  • Wind Turbines: Like solar panels, wind turbines can generate electricity that can be used immediately or stored in a battery for later use. The amount of electricity generated depends on the wind speed.
  • Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems: CHP systems, also known as cogeneration, simultaneously produce electricity and useful heat from the same energy source, such as natural gas, biomass, coal, or oil. The electricity generated can be used for load displacement.

MicroFIT / FIT Contract Management

The microFIT Program, launched in Ontario on October 1, 2009, allowed homeowners and other eligible participants to develop renewable electricity generation projects of 10 kW or less. Participants were guaranteed a fixed price for electricity over a 20-year term as outlined in their original contract. The program closed to new applications in December 2017 and no longer accepts new submissions.

To update the name, mailing address, or contact information on a microFIT or FIT account, requests must be submitted directly to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

As the contract is held between the supplier and the IESO, GrandBridge Energy can only update account information after receiving confirmation and authorization from the IESO.

If you’ve purchased a home or sold a home with solar panels, your next step should be to contact the IESO and our Customer Service Team to begin the contract reassignment process.

Steps to reassign the contract are provided below.

Contact Customer Service Visit the IESO Website

Steps to Reassign a Contract

Suppose you are the property seller (Assignor). In that case, you must contact GrandBridge Energy to schedule a final meter read on the property and the existing generation (microFIT) account before the legal closing date. Contact Us to arrange or complete the GrandBridge Energy Move Out Application form.

Complete Stop Service Form

If you are the property’s purchaser (Assignee), you must also contact GrandBridge Energy before the legal closing date to create two new accounts – a residential account and a generation account (microFIT). You can do this by completing the New Application for Service form. The IESO will request the purchaser to provide both unique account numbers as part of the reassignment process.

Complete Start a Residential Service Form

The property purchaser (the Assignee) must register for an IESO microFIT registrant ID and create an IESO online account.

The purchaser (the Assignee) must provide the seller their microFIT registrant ID and legal name. This step is between the two parties and does not involve GrandBridge Energy or the IESO.

Suppose the seller (the Assignor) does not have access to the IESO online account (the contract was grandfathered from the former Ontario Power Authority). In that case, they must create an IESO online account before the contract can be reassigned.

Get Started on the IESO Website

The seller and purchaser will each be notified by the IESO that the contract has been executed and reassigned.

The purchaser (the Assignee) must complete and submit the following documents to GrandBridge Energy to activate the new generation account. Contact Customer Service if you have questions about completing and submitting these documents:

Complete Energy Direct Deposit Form Complete Energy Sales Tax Form Complete Micro-Distribution Generation Facility Agreement Form Complete New Generation Application Form Complete the Redirection of Payment Form

The Ontario Energy Board has approved an increase in the MicroFIT fixed monthly charge from $4.55 to $5.00, effective January 1, 2025.