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Understanding Solar

Solar panels on a roof

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Connecting with clean energy
Installing clean energy technologies like rooftop solar and batteries at your home or business are good for the environment and can reduce your energy bill. It’s also a big decision. There are many factors to consider before you make a choice and sign a contract. Learn more about your options, questions to ask and the connection process in the FAQ tab.
home with solar panels

Is Solar Right for Me?

Find out with our SolarSmart education tool. Receive a customized solar (+ storage) estimate for your detached, single-family home to understand your savings potential installing a rooftop solar system.

There are two ways to use the tool:

Login to your aps.com account, access SolarSmart to use your historical energy usage data. (Must have at least 12 months of data to complete estimate.)

Or

Access the tool to manually enter your APS service address and estimated monthly average energy usage when prompted. (Recommended for customers without 12 months of energy usage history.) Estimated savings are calculated using the Fixed Energy Charge Plan.

Please note: You will be redirected to a third-party site. Your information will not be stored or sold. You can view and download your report. Thank you for using SolarSmart. 

 

Interested in solar?

The Interconnection Process Guide can help you get started. You can also contact us at 602-216-0318 (800-659-8148) for more information.

APS Customer

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.

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Installers

Submit an interconnection application
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Family hiking during the day.

We are committed to clean energy

Arizona is a beautiful place to live. Together, we can keep it that way. We’re committed to doing our part. Our clean energy plan will be guided by sound science and focused on achieving environmental and economic gains—all while maintaining affordable, reliable service for our customers.
Paloma Solar Plant with a mountainscape and setting sun.

Your choice to choose green

For residents and businesses that want to make a commitment to cleaner energy, our Green Choice Program lets you select a percentage or set amount of energy you receive from renewable energy resources.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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"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.

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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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Interconnection Documents and Requirements
APS provides support to customers installing equipment that connects with our grid, such as a solar system, a home battery or other type of generator. We want everything to go smoothly for you and your installer throughout the permitting and installation process. Please review our interconnection standards below — they protect your equipment and our electrical system, and keep everyone safe.

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

 

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200A Typical Residential Diagram for Load Side Connection

 

240V AC Coupled Battery System Diagram

Meter Socket Adapter Sample 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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If you have any questions, contact us at renewables@aps.com.

Information for Installers

Installers can find useful information, forum updates and communications below that will keep them in the know.

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2023 Interconnection Forum - DRE Interconnection Updates and Reminders
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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Plans for customers with solar

Once you decide to have solar installed, you'll want a plan that helps you get the most out of your system. We offer a choice of residential plans that will help you save or earn credit on your monthly bill.

Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays

This plan used to be named Saver Choice.

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.
  • Blue check mark Time-of-use plan
  • Blue check mark Lower-cost off-peak hours
  • Blue check mark Off-peak holidays*
  • Blue check mark Winter super off-peak rates**

Time-of-Use 4pm-7pm Weekdays with Demand Charge

This plan used to be named Saver Choice Max.

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.
  • Blue check mark Time-of-use plan
  • Blue check mark Lowest-cost off-peak hours
  • Blue check mark Demand charge***
  • Blue check mark Off-peak holidays*
  • Blue check mark Winter super off-peak rates**

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*Off-Peak Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. (If these holidays fall on a Saturday, the preceding Friday will be off-peak. If they fall on a Sunday, the following Monday will be off-peak.) Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are off-peak holidays only when they fall on a weekday. (Weekends are always off-peak.)

**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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Rate riders for your system

Once you choose the right plan for you, you will need to choose a rate rider for your system. This will make sure that you are getting money back for adding energy production to the grid.

For a full list of renewable energy riders click here.

 

RCP (Resource Comparison Proxy)

Eligibility for the RCP rate rider:
  • 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
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EPR2

Eligibility for the EPR2 rate rider:
  • 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
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Are you on a grandfathered solar plan?
If you are enrolled in a grandfathered solar plan (Net Metering), you can stay on that plan for up to 20 years (from your interconnection date). Or, if you have moved into a home that has rooftop solar and the former owner was enrolled in a grandfathered solar plan, you can remain on that plan for the duration of the 20 year contract (from the original interconnection date).
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