Delta-Montrose Electric Association - Net Metering

Summary

Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), an electric cooperative utility, offers net metering* to residential and commercial customers who generate electricity using wind, biomass, solar or hydroelectric resources. A system is eligible if its total capacity does not exceed the nameplate rating of the transformer serving the member’s meter, the maximum measured demand of the customer in the previous 12 months, or 25 kW. Net metering is accomplished by using a single, bi-direction meter that measures kilowatt-hour usage and production. Net metering is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the rated generating capacity owned and operated by eligible customer-generators in DMEA's service territory reaches 1,000 kilowatts (equal to 1 megawatt). * DMEA offers "true" net metering to its customers. In 2002, Colorado enacted legislation (C.R.S. 40-9.5-304 et seq.) requiring the state's electric cooperatives to offer "net metering" to customers. However, the term "net metering" is a misnomer in this particular law. Under the law, customers receive a lower rate (the utility's avoided-cost) for all electricity generated, while customers must pay the full retail rate for all electricity they purchase from utilities. This practice, commonly known as "dual metering," is much less favorable to customer-generators than "true" net metering.