Are you a residential or business customer interested in supplementing the electricity provided by Southern California Edison? Are you interested in adopting a greener life-style?
SCE offers several programs to help you generate your own power (become a “self-generator”). Self-generation allows SCE customers to produce electricity using equipment they (or a third party) own and operate to meet some or all of their energy needs.
SCE encourages self-generation because it:
- Reduces customers electric bills
- Fosters the use of renewable energy sources
- Helps California meet its energy goals
- Lessens the need to construct additional energy infrastructure
- Helps the environment
- Adds value to your home or business
References and additional information regarding options for self-generation are described below.
SCE customers considering solar and other renewable generation at their homes, the Solar Billing Plan is designed to help modernize solar rates to promote grid reliability, incentivize solar and battery storage, and help control electricity costs for all Californians. Each month, billing will include charges for energy used from the electric grid, as well as energy credits exported to the grid.
Please visit the following link to learn more about the SBP program and how to qualify: Solar Billing Plan (sce.com)
Interconnection Process
Before you can operate your system, you are required to obtain a “permission to operate” letter from SCE. The NEM team typically issues this letter within thirty (30) business days after the following requirements are met: (1) SCE’s acceptance of a complete NEM Application packet, (2) execution of the appropriate interconnection and generation agreements, and (3) final electrical inspection.
For more information about "what to expect" during the review and acceptance of your NEM request, please visit the NEM page
Local governments or campuses that own or operate a qualifying renewable energy generating facility located on their premises can apply for the Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (or RES-BCT) rate. RES-BCT allows the customer to apply credits for the surplus electricity you deliver to the electric grid towards eligible “benefiting accounts” held by the same customer (or its organization).
Please visit the following link to learn more about this program and for a complete description on program eligibility: http://on.sce.com/resbct.
A direct link to SCE’S Schedule RES-BCT is available here: Schedule RES-BCT
- Rule 21 Exporting Generating Facility Interconnection Request (Form 14-918)
- Local Government Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer Benefiting Account Designation Form (Form 14-789)
- A Single-line drawing
- Site plan
For a sample on acceptable single lines and site plans, please review this: Sample drawings
Application Interconnection Fees
The fees associated with the request for interconnection of an RES-BCT project depend on the study track (fast track, detailed study) that the project is evaluated under. For a description of the study tracks available under Rule 21, please visit Rule 21 page
Table E.1 of SCE’s Rule 21 lists the fees applicable for processing a request for interconnection. Link to Rule 21
Interconnection Process
Depending on the size, location and other existing generation in the neighboring electrical system, Rule 21 has two different tracks to process an interconnection request.
- Fast Track Process
- Detailed Study Process
Please visit Rule 21 page to learn more about Rule 21 and the study track that may apply to your project.
Please visit the RES-BCT page to learn more about this program: http://on.sce.com/resbct.
Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
SCE’s Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers rebates to customers who install new, qualifying self-generation equipment. Please visit the following link to learn more about eligibility and other requirements for the SGIP program:
New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP)
The California Energy Commission's New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) is part of the California Solar Initiative. The NSHP provides financial incentives and other support to encourage homebuilders to construct new, energy efficient solar homes that reduce energy demand, save homeowners money and help protect the environment. Please visit the following link to learn more about the NSHP program:
https://www.sce.com/wps/portal/home/residential/rebates-savings/new-solar-homes-partnership
DISCLAIMER: The guidelines in this section are provided with the intent to help SCE’s customers understand SCE’s Interconnection Procedures. However, in the case of discrepancies with SCE’s rules, such tariffs and regulations will prevail.