# Utilities Utility rate configuration is the foundation of accurate solar quotes. Proper setup ensures your production estimates, savings calculations, and ROI projections reflect real-world economics. ## Overview Powerlily supports: - **Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates** - Multiple rate periods by hour, day, and season - **Tiered Rate Structures** - Progressive pricing based on consumption thresholds - **Demand Charges** - Peak demand billing for commercial installations - **Dual Utility Comparison** - Compare pre-solar vs post-solar utilities - **Consumption Profiles** - Weekday/weekend usage patterns for TOU accuracy - **Monthly Rates** - Seasonal rate configuration - **Net Metering & Credit Compensation** - Various metering programs - **30-Year Rate Escalation** - Rate inflation modeling **Key Principle:** Each quote locks in its utility configuration at creation. Changing a utility doesn't affect existing quotes. ## Creating Utilities 1. Go to **Settings** → **Utilities** 2. Click **"New Utility"** 3. Configure parameters 4. Save and use in quotes ### Basic Information **Name:** Utility company name shown to customers - Examples: "Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)", "Con Edison - Residential" - Include rate plan type if relevant (TOU, tiered, etc.) **Description:** Optional notes about service area, rate plan specifics, programs ## Rate Configuration ### Import Rate **Cost of electricity FROM utility** - Price customer pays for grid power (per kWh) - Foundation of savings calculation - Find on customer bills or tariff sheets - Format: Decimal (e.g., 0.28 for $0.28/kWh) - Typical range: $0.10-$0.40/kWh ### Export Rate **Value of electricity TO utility** - Price utility pays for solar exports - Net metering credit value - Common structures: - **1:1 Net Metering:** Export = Import rate (best for customers) - **Reduced Export:** Export < Import (wholesale/avoided cost) - **No Compensation:** Export = $0 - Format: Decimal, can be same as or less than import ### Monthly Rates **Different rates each month for seasonal variation** Toggle "Use Monthly Import and Export Rates" to enable: - Enter import/export rate for each month (Jan-Dec) - System uses correct rate each month - More accurate than single annual rate ### Minimum Monthly Fee **Fixed grid connection charge** - Charged even with zero usage - Can't be offset by solar - Typical: $0-$40/month - Transparent in customer quotes ## Metering Type ### Net Metering **Most common residential program** - Production offsets consumption - Credits accumulate for surplus - Credits used in later months - Annual or monthly settlement ### Net Feed-in Tariff **Instant export compensation** - Production offsets consumption - Surplus sold immediately each month - No credit banking - Can't save summer credits for winter ### Feed-in Tariff **Production-based payment** - All production sold to utility - Customer still buys all consumption - Two separate transactions - Investment/farm model ## Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate Periods TOU rates charge different prices based on time of day, day of week, and season. ### Creating Rate Periods 1. **Settings** → **Utilities** → Select utility → **Add Rate Period** 2. Configure: - **Name:** e.g., "Summer Peak" - **Import/Export Rate:** Price per kWh - **Start/End Hour:** 24-hour format (16 = 4 PM) - **Days of Week:** 0=Sunday through 6=Saturday - **Months:** 1=January through 12=December **Example - California NEM 3.0 Summer Peak:** - Import: $0.51, Export: $0.08 - Hours: 16:00-21:00 (4-9 PM) - Days: Weekdays [1,2,3,4,5] - Months: [6,7,8,9] ### Per-Quote Customization Quotes can override utility rate periods: - "Customize Rate Periods for This Quote" button - Changes only affect that quote - Useful for grandfathered plans or custom agreements ### How It Works With hourly PVWatts data and TOU periods: 1. System matches each hour to applicable rate period 2. Applies consumption profile (weekday/weekend pattern) 3. Calculates net import/export with correct rate 4. Aggregates to monthly/yearly totals **Without hourly data:** Falls back to monthly calculation ## Tiered Rate Structures Progressive pricing based on consumption. As you exceed thresholds, the rate changes. **Example:** - Tier 1: First 500 kWh at $0.15/kWh - Tier 2: After 500 kWh at $0.22/kWh - Tier 3: After 1000 kWh at $0.30/kWh ### Configuration - Set per month (supports seasonal tiers) - Each tier: Threshold ("After X kWh") + Rate - Solar offsets highest-tier consumption first ### Per-Quote Customization Like rate periods, tiers can be customized per quote for special customer agreements. ### Combined with TOU System handles both: 1. Check for TOU rate period match 2. If TOU applies: use TOU rate 3. If no TOU: use tiered rate based on cumulative monthly consumption ## Demand Charges **For commercial installations** Demand charges bill based on highest power draw (kW) in a period, not just energy consumed (kWh). **Example:** - Energy charge: $0.12/kWh × 10,000 kWh = $1,200 - Demand charge: $15/kW × 50 kW peak = $750 - Total: $1,950 ### Configuration Set at quote utility level: - **Enable Demand Charges:** Toggle on/off - **Demand Rate:** Dollars per kW (e.g., 15.50) ### How It Works Using hourly data, system calculates: 1. Baseline peak demand (without solar) 2. Peak demand with solar (production reduces net demand) 3. Demand savings = reduction × demand rate 4. Added to energy savings **Best for:** Commercial customers with midday peak demand that aligns with solar production ## Dual Utility Comparison **Compare pre-solar vs post-solar utilities** For customers switching utilities when going solar (e.g., Community Choice Aggregation, deregulated markets). ### Configuration On quote: - **Post-Solar Utility (Primary):** Utility customer will use WITH solar - **Pre-Solar Utility (Optional):** Current utility before solar ### What Gets Calculated - **Pre-Solar Costs:** 30-year costs without solar, on pre-solar utility - **Post-Solar Baseline:** 30-year costs without solar, on post-solar utility - **Post-Solar With System:** 30-year costs with solar, on post-solar utility **Quote shows savings from utility switch AND solar production separately** ## Consumption Profiles Defines WHEN customers use electricity (hourly distribution). ### Available Profiles - **Flat:** Equal usage all hours (default) - **Residential Typical:** Morning/evening peaks, low midday - **Other pre-configured patterns** for various customer types ### Usage Select weekday and weekend profiles on each quote. Critical for accurate TOU modeling. **Why it matters:** Solar produces midday, but customers often consume evening. TOU rates charge premium evening hours. Accurate profiles show real bill impact. ## Credit Compensation **How surplus kWh credits are handled** ### Monthly - Surplus sold at end of each month - Credits don't carry forward - Good for flat production profiles ### Yearly - Credits roll month-to-month - Annual settlement at renewal month - Bank summer production for winter - Standard for net metering ### Indefinitely - Credits never expire - Roll forward forever - Rare legacy programs ## Annual kWh Credit Cap **Limits annual surplus credits** When enabled: - Year-end credits capped at annual consumption - Can't export more than you import (net annual) - Excess production above cap = $0 value **Enable if:** Utility doesn't pay for net annual exports ## Annual Escalation Rate **Rate increase over time** - Annual percentage increase (e.g., 3%) - Applied to import AND export rates - Models utility rate inflation - Critical for 30-year projections **Typical:** 3-4% annual **Conservative approach recommended** - Don't oversell with high escalation ## Best Practices ### Rate Accuracy - Check current tariff sheets - Confirm with utility website - Review customer bill - Update regularly ### Conservative Modeling - Use 3-4% escalation - Realistic export rates - Account for all fees - Under-promise, over-deliver ### Documentation - Rate schedule sources - Effective dates - Program documents ## Common Configurations ### California PG&E NEM 3.0 - TOU rates with 4-9 PM peak ($0.51 import, $0.08 export) - Yearly credit compensation - Credit cap enabled - 4% escalation - Consumption profiles essential ### New York Con Edison - Flat rates ($0.19/kWh both ways) - 1:1 net metering - Credits roll indefinitely - Simple configuration ### Texas (Deregulated) - Minimal export compensation ($0.03/kWh) - Monthly settlement - Self-consumption critical - Consider dual utility for switchers ### Commercial with Demand Charges - TOU + Demand charges ($15/kW) - Peak shaving potential - Battery often justified - Requires peak timing analysis --- **Related:** [[Quotes/Selecting Imagery|Creating Quotes]] | [[Incentives/Incentives|Incentives]] | [[kWh|Understanding kWh]]