Golden Valley Electric Association - Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) Program

Summary

Golden Valley Electric Association's (GVEA) SNAP program encourages members to install renewable energy generators and connect them to the utility's electrical distribution system by offering an incentive payment based on the system's production on a dollar per kilowatt-hour ($/kWh) basis. The amount paid to participating renewable energy producers depends on the total amount contributed by GVEA supporters.

“Qualified alternative energy resources" includes electricity produced from generation facilities that are fueled by: (a) wind; or (b) solar energy and other renewable energy resources. GVEA limits these resources to 25 kilowatts of capacity or less per system.

There are two different SNAP programs available:

• SNAP: Producers of renewable power do not use any of the power they produce. The power produced is measured separately from the existing home or business energy use by a separate meter. GVEA also developed specific standards for the interconnection of SNAP generators to its distribution system.
   
• SNAP Plus: Producers of renewable power can also net meter through this program. SNAP Plus participants receive an annual payment and a monthly credit for net excess generation.

SNAP producers are responsible for the total cost of connecting their SNAP generator to Golden Valley Electric's distribution system. Applicable fees may include:

• an inspection/connection fee (includes the cost of verifying interconnection requirements, accessing the grid and installing a meter)
   
• a one-time records fee of $10 (per meter and account)
   
• a monthly meter fee (deducted from the annual production payment)
   
• line extension fees, if necessary, depending on the distance to the nearest GVEA facilities.

SNAP producers are paid once a year around Earth Day. SNAP is not for members who want to install renewable energy sources as a back-up power generation system at their home or business.