Opportunities

Net metering is designed for people who wish to generate their own electricity. A bi-directional or net meter is installed by SaskPower, which allows the customer to record both the electricity they use and the electricity they generate. If the customer generates more power than they actually use, that excess electricity is fed back to SaskPower’s electricity system, which is then “banked” for a defined period of time and used to offset that customer’s future electricity use.

Excess electricity can be banked for a period of one year. After a one-year period, a new fixed, one-year window begins. Electricity cannot be banked indefinitely.

No, net metering does not allow a customer to sell any excess or “extra” electricity to SaskPower. Excess electricity will be “banked” for a defined period of time and used to offset future electricity that customer uses.

A credit would appear on that customer’s power bill – credited at the same rate as what that customer is charged for electricity use.

Net metering is available to customers that use environmentally preferred generation technologies up to 100 kW in size. These include wind, solar, biomass, low-impact hydro, waste heat recovery and flare gas. View the complete list of eligible technologies.

SaskPower will supply, install and own the meter(s) that will be used for the purposes of net metering.

SaskPower will install and continue to own and read the meter that will be used for net metering.

If there is a problem with a net meter, SaskPower would be called – in the same way that a customer would contact SaskPower if they had a problem with their standard meter.

SaskPower will not be paying for any excess electricity through the net metering program. If a net metering customer generates more power than they actually use, that excess electricity is fed back to SaskPower’s electricity system, which is then “banked” for a defined period of time and used to offset that customer’s future electricity use.

Net metering will not change the way the consumer uses electricity; it will just help to offset the electricity used in that home.

There will be costs for the meter installations, as well as the cost of an integration study, which is necessary before any generation can be connected to SaskPower’s system. In some cases there may also be costs to upgrade SaskPower’s electricity system, so that the electricity a net metering customer generates can be added to the system. SaskPower will need to evaluate such requirements on a case-by-case basis.

The costs for net meters and integration studies can vary depending on the type of metering and generation installed, so the payback period will also vary. It will also depend on the amount of electricity that is generated by the customer at each site.

SaskPower follows North American standards and regulations to ensure the safety and reliability of the electrical system – this is for the benefit of all of our customers. That’s why the first step to become a net metering customer is to contact SaskPower. The impact that net metering will have on SaskPower’s electrical system will vary depending upon the size and type of generation that is installed and the number of generating units that are installed in any particular area.

Saskatchewan's Go Green Plan provides funding to the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) to support net metering installations within the province. SRC’s net metering program will pay a one-time fee equivalent to 25 per cent of eligible costs up to a maximum of $100,000 (i.e., maximum $25,000). Visit the Office of Energy Conservation for more information.

It will depend on how many people are interested in generating their own electricity, which will depend on each customer’s circumstances. SaskPower has had several inquiries from customers who have expressed interest in a net metering program and we have implemented this program in response to customer demand.

SaskPower’s net metering program is available to SaskPower customers. Customers of the Cities of Saskatoon and Swift Current will need to check with those utilities to determine if they are offering a similar program for their customers.

A net meter has the ability to record both the amount of electricity a customer will consume and the amount of electricity provided by the customer to SaskPower’s system between meter readings.

A smart meter records the electricity used, as well as the time that electricity is used. In some jurisdictions, rates are designed to vary depending on the time power is used. SaskPower is investigating smart meters to determine their feasibility and potential in Saskatchewan through our recently announced eneraction program.