Frequently Asked Questions about the EPR-6 Net Metering Rate Program

What is the EPR-6 Rate Program?
EPR-6 is a rate program designed to encourage APS' residential and commercial customers to participate in expanding renewable energy in Arizona. EPR-6 provides an economic and feasible way for residential and business customers to produce part of the electricity they consume instead of purchasing it all from APS. 

What's the benefit of EPR-6?
EPR-6 will allow you to reduce your monthly cost of energy by generating a portion of it yourself through operation of a qualifying system on your premises. You will purchase less electricity from us, which benefits us, too. By managing the increase in demand for electricity, APS can defer construction and operation of costly generating stations and also reduce air pollution.

How do I qualify for the EPR-6 Pilot Program?
Eligible customers are required to have a qualifying generating unit which is less or equal to 125% of their total connected load or that is already taking service on a partial requirements rate, such as our EPR-2 or EPR5 rates. You can apply to be transferred to EPR-6 online or by calling us at (602) 216-0318.

What type of equipment qualifies for EPR-6?
To qualify for EPR-6, you'll need one of the following located on your premises:

• solar electric system
• landfill-gas generator
• wind generator
• biomass generator
• combined heat and power
• fuel cell
• hydroelectric
• geothermal

What if I am already operating a qualifying generating unit but it is not currently on a partial requirements rate?
You will need to call APS at (602) 216-0318 to have a bi-directional meter installed before we can include you on the EPR-6 rate. APS must be able to physically change out the meter. The lead-time required for a meter exchange will vary based on meter equipment availability and scheduling.

A bi-directional meter is necessary to determine how much electricity we are selling you and how much you are generating. This is important because EPR-6 incorporates "net metering." 

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Tell me more about "net metering."
"Net metering" means your excess electrical power -- the power produced by your system that is not used by your home or business -- continues to be delivered into the APS system. But, instead of paying you for the excess power at a prescribed purchase price, we credit your account in kilowatt-hours (kWh) each billing cycle.

This reduces the amount of electricity you buy from us -- kWh-for-kWh -- meaning that each month; your bottom line energy cost is less. The EPR-6 rate provides you the economic benefit of the full retail value of the energy fed into the APS grid from your renewable energy generating system on a calendar year basis, resulting in a higher value for excess power than if APS simply purchased the energy from you at market prices.

You said that energy fed into the APS system is accounted for on a calendar year basis.  What's the significance of this?
EPR-6's kWh credit is carried from month to month throughout the calendar year. Any kWh credit remaining at the end of each calendar year or at the time you turn off your account will be  credited to your account at a cent per kWh rate.

How will the monthly credit appear on my bill?
If you produce more electricity than you consume, your monthly credit will appear as a kWh credit on your monthly bill.

Are there any APS rate plan features that are not compatible with the EPR-6 rate?
Yes, our Equalizer plan, Green Choice rates and summary billing are not available to customers on the EPR-6 rate at this time. Nor is our rate comparison program at aps.com available to customers on the EPR-6 rate.

What other terms and conditions govern the EPR-6 Rate?
The EPR-6 Program was approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission on June 23, 2009. The rate is governed by a set of terms and conditions that are included in our approved rate tariff. You can find the EPR-6 rate schedule along with other schedules that apply to this service.

How do I sign up for this program?
You can sign up for EPR-6 online or by calling APS Customer Service at (602) 216-0318.

What if I do not have a generating facility and want to install one to take advantage of the new EPR-6 rate?
Find out more about our renewable energy programs, including installing generating facilities, or call (602) 216-0318.

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