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Understanding Solar
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APS Customers
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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Once you decide to have solar installed, you'll want a service 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.
Customers who install solar are eligible for one of our Saver Choice plans. Saver Choice Plus and Saver Choice Max are time-of-use plans with demand, and do not include a grid access charge. Saver Choice is a time-of-use plan and includes a grid access charge. View a comparison chart here.
Time-of-use plans with solar
Saver Choice
Savings and convenience
Time-of-use plan
Low-cost off-peak hours
10 off-peak holidays*
Winter super off-peak pricing
Saver Choice Plus
Control your savings
Time-of-use plan
Lower-cost off-peak hours
Includes a demand charge
10 off-peak holidays*
Saver Choice Max
Take savings to the max
Time-of-use plan
Lowest-cost off-peak hours
Includes a demand charge
10 off-peak holidays*
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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
- System must not be larger than the following electrical service limits:
- 200 Amp service, a maximum of 15 kW-dc
- 400 Amp service, a maximum of 30 kW-dc
- 600 Amp service, a maximum of 45 kW-dc
- 800 Amp service and above, a maximum of 60 kW-dc
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
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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Information for Installers
Installers can find useful information, forum updates and communications below that will keep them in the know.
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
