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Understanding Solar
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Is solar right for me?
To get started, all you need is your APS service address and your average monthly bill or your total monthly energy usage for the most recent 12 months.
Interested in solar?
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View your existing interconnection and APS program applications
It is important to know that access must be granted by the applicant in order to view your interconnection application.
We are committed to clean energy
Your choice to choose green
Some things on your electric bill will stay the same, such as your monthly service charge and things like transmission and distribution charges to name a few.
Solar will only affect the kWh portion of your bill. Once your solar electric system is operational, you'll see kWh credits on your bill. Any excess kWhs will be applied to your bill based on your solar rate, either EPR-2 or Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP).
The kWh portion of your bill will be based on the readings from our bi-directional meter, also known as billable meter. The production meter (non-billable) installed on your home measures the overall generation of your solar electric system. The billable meter registers energy flowing from your solar electric system into your home and excess energy going to our grid. This is known as net billing.
Budget Billing is a billing program that averages your energy use so you pay about the same each month. It is not compatible with the solar rate rider and net billing calculation.
It depends on the solar rate you choose - RCP or EPR-2.
The RCP rate allows customers to receive a credit for excess energy sent to the grid. Any bill credit in excess of the customer's otherwise applicable monthly bill will be credited on the next monthly bill, or subsequent bills if necessary. After the customer's December bill, a customer may request a check for any outstanding credits from the prior year; however, if the outstanding credits exceed $25, we will automatically issue a check to the customer. Otherwise, the bill credits will carry forward to the following year.
And with the EPR-2 rate, known as net billing, you will receive a billing credit for excess kWh in the month the excess is generated. The credit will be deducted from your monthly bill.
You’ll want to consider things like the size of the system, how much energy it will produce, how much money you’re likely to save, the age and condition of your roof, and whether to buy or lease. You may also want to contact tax professionals, your HOA, your insurance agent and a real estate professional. And remember to get quotes from three installers so you can compare.
No, because we need 24-hour access to the new meter and utility disconnect. Production meters cannot be placed behind any type of gate or fence or be placed under a patio or any type of roof overhang or extension.
On average, every 1,000 watts will produce 4 to 5 kWh, of electricity a day. If you have a 6 kW system, it would produce about 30 kWhs per day (6 kW x 5 kWh/day). In an average month, your system would generate approximately 900 kWhs (30 days x 30 kWhs/day). Your solar system's production information is available on aps.com. Go to "daily energy usage", "locate for service at" and change the drop-down to the address that has an asterisk. Then, you can download a spreadsheet for your records.
The amount of electricity your system produces is based on many factors. Some of these factors are: size of the system, orientation and tilt of the panels, and amount of sunlight hitting the panels. Some factors that limit the amount of sunlight reaching the panels are cloudy or overcast days, amount of dirt/dust on the panels, and shading from nearby trees, buildings, roof-mounted HVAC systems and chimneys.
"Production" is the overall electricity generation of your solar system. "Credit" is the excess energy (kWh) produced by your solar system and sent to our grid. Any excess kWh is applied to your bill in the month generated.
Yes, you will need to submit an application if you are changing the size of the inverter or adding an additional inverter.
For grandfathered systems, a customer may not increase the capacity of the grandfathered solar generation unit by more than a total of 10% or 1 kW, whichever is greater.
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Assignment and Assumption of Contract
Disclaimer
Sample Executed Contract
W-9 Form
Arizona Administrative Code - Distributed Generation Interconnection Requirements
APS Electric Service Requirements Manual
APS Interconnection Requirements
Load Side Connection Requirements
Supply Side Connection Requirements
Pre App Customer Form
Applicant User Guide
Authorization Form
Distributed Energy Administration Plan (DEAP)
Interconnection Agreement
Interconnection Study Agreement
Interconnection Process Guide
Non-Parallel Connection Agreement
Assignment and Assumption of Contract Commercial
Non-Incentive Commercial System Ownership Information Change Form
Non-Residential ACH Form
PBI Information Change Form
Typical Commercial Diagram (Load Side Tap)
Commercial Diagram Requirements - Rotating Machinery
Typical Commercial Diagram (Line Side)
Typical Commercial Diagram (Load Side)
Interconnection Agreement (Non-FERC sample)
Non-FERC Interconnection Process Overview
Non-FERC Interconnection Queue Policy
APS ESS Metering and Isolation Concept Drawings
APS PV Solar Metering and Isolation Concept Drawings
Consumer Acknowledgement
Diagram Checklist
Example Equipment Tags
Letter-in-Lieu of Electrical Clearance Form
Plan Review & Installer Guidelines Checklist
Single Phase 120-240V Fault Current AC Disco Guide
Typical Wind Diagram
Utility Disconnect Checklist
No document to display for Residential getting started
200A Typical Residential Diagram for Load Side Connection
240V AC Coupled Battery System Diagram
400A Typical Residential Diagram for Load Side Connection
240V DC Coupled Battery System Diagram
400A Typical Residential Diagram for Load Side Tap
Typical Residential Diagram for Supply Side Tap
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Information for Installers
Installers can find useful information, forum updates and communications below that will keep them in the know.
2023 Interconnection Forum - Field Services Meter Sets Derates and Labeling
2023 Interconnection Forum - Interconnection Application Volume
2023 Interconnection Forum - PowerClerk Updates and Reminders
2023 Interconnection Forum - Production Report
2022 Interconnection Forum - Interconnection Application Volume
2022 Interconnection Forum - DDSR Tariff and Residential Battery Pilot Updates
2022 Interconnection Forum - DRE Interconnection Updates and Reminders
2022 Interconnection Forum - Field Services Meter Sets Derates and Labeling
2022 Interconnection Forum - Power Clerk Reminders
2021 Interconnection Forum - Distributed Resources Engineering
2021 Interconnection Forum - PowerClerk Reminders
2021 Interconnection Forum - DDSR Aggregation Tariff and Residential Energy Storage Pilot
2021 Interconnection Forum - Meter Sets, Derates and Labeling
2020 Interconnection Forum - Engineering Update
2020 Interconnection Forum - Field Services 2020 Interconnection Forum - PowerClerk
2020 Interconnection Forum - Production Report
2020 Interconnection Forum - Renewable Energy
2019 Interconnection Forum - Application Error Rate
2019 Interconnection Forum - Solar Partner Program Phase II Lessons Learned
2019 Interconnection Forum - Engineering Updates
2019 Interconnection Forum - Rate Riders and Reminders
2019 Interconnection Forum - Communication and Resources
May 2018 Interconnection Forum - Energy Storage and EV Programs
May 2018 Interconnection Forum - DER
May 2018 Interconnection Forum - New Residential Rates and Rate Riders
May 2018 Interconnection Forum - Engineering
May 2018 Interconnection Forum - Communications
April 2016 Interconnection Workshop - Interconnection Requirements
April 2016 Interconnection Workshop - Interconnection Administration Application Process Overview
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Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays
Your energy rate is based on the time of day; use less energy during on-peak hours, between 4pm-7pm weekdays, to save.
Customers who select this plan can manage their costs by shifting energy use to lower-cost off-peak hours and using less energy during the higher-cost on-peak hours, between 4pm–7pm weekdays.
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Time-of-use plan
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Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge
Your energy rate is based on the time of day; use less energy and manage energy demand during on-peak hours, between 4pm-7pm weekdays, to save.
Customers who select this plan can manage their costs by shifting energy use to lower-cost off-peak hours and staggering usage during higher-cost on-peak hours, between 4pm–7pm weekdays.
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**Winter Super Off-Peak Rates: The Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays plan and the Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge plan both include super off-peak hours which provide the lowest off-peak energy rates during winter months (Nov–Apr bills), 10am–3pm weekdays (excluding off-peak holidays).
***Demand Charge: The Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm with Demand Charge plan has a monthly demand charge for the highest hour of usage during on-peak hours, 4pm-7pm weekdays. Try the Energy Estimator to calculate your estimated energy usage or demand for the month and find ways to save. You can also review the approximate demand for a variety of home appliances.
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For a full list of renewable energy riders click here.
RCP (Resource Comparison Proxy)
- Electricity must be generated using on-site solar panels
- Solar panels must be interconnected to our grid
- Solar panels must be installed at the service address
- Must have an AMI meter
- The RCP export rate is subject to the requirements found in:
- The Arizona Administrative Code Distributed Generation Interconnection Requirements
- Interconnection Manual
- Electric Service Requirements Manual
EPR2
- Must have a qualifying onsite generation such as solar power, wind power or others
- Must have a generating nameplate capacity of 100 kW-ac or less
- Must have an AMI meter
