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1. Are there any costs?

The City does not charge a fee for filing or approval for a net metering application. However, the cost of the net meter is charged to the customer seeking interconnection and must be paid before the interconnection is approved. The Public Works Electric Division will provide the cost of the meter at the time the net metering application is submitted. Building permit fees are handled through the City's Building Division.

2. Why does the City charge a fee for the net meter?

The City’s meter infrastructure does not support net metering without the installation of a specific meter. The net meters are significantly more expensive to purchase than a regular residential meter, and the cost of a net meter has not been accounted for in our residential rates and fees. As such, the cost of buying the meter is borne by the customer requesting net metering.

3. How does the net metering rate work?

Geneva City Code provides for the net metering of energy only. Customers will not be paid for any energy “pushed” onto the grid. Credits for unused energy are accumulated starting May 1 and continue to be accrued throughout the year. On April 30, any unused energy credits are zero’d out and the accruals start fresh on May 1. These dates coincide with the beginning and end of the City's fiscal year.

The base customer charge will still apply to the account, even if the energy usage is zero for billing purposes. The net metering rate is subject to changes and rate-making just as the other rates adopted by the City of Geneva.  

4. Are there limits to the size of the system?

The Geneva City Code allows residential and general service customers to install a PV system that is less than 25kW/AC capacity, provided that the system does not pose a hazard or degrade other residents’ service. Systems larger than 25kW/AC will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is no system-wide limit on the total installed PV capacity.  

5. Why does the City require a second meter and ComEd does not?

The City owns and operates its own electric utility and as such, does not procure energy in the same manner as ComEd. The Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SREC) are administered and paid through the Illinois Power Agency (IPA), from which the City does not purchase power. The second meter accounts for the energy being purchased by the IPA through the SREC program and is used for system planning and reconciliation purposes. The second meter is provided by the City at no cost to the net metering customer. The customer also is allowed access to the energy data from the second meter by contacting the City or simply reading the meter on their own.

6. What if there is a disagreement concerning interconnection or net metering?

The disagreement can be submitted in writing to the Superintendent of Electric Services Aaron Holton by:

• Email
• or by U.S. Mail at Geneva Public Works Department; Attn: Superintendent of Electric Services; 1800 South St., Geneva IL 60134.

If, after a reasonable time, the matter is not responded to or resolved, the net metering customer can seek relief through the Illinois Administrative Review Law process.  

7. Can I add more panels after the net metering application is approved?

Yes. The approved net metering application can be amended to account for additional panels, provided the system does not exceed 25kW/AC. The customer will need to provide building permits for the expansion, and an updated net metering application reflecting the changes should be submitted.  

8. Does the City allow battery storage?

Yes, any battery storage device must be included in the net metering application. If battery storage is added after the initial net metering application approval, an amended application must be submitted and approved by the Public Works Electric Division, along with the applicable building permits and approvals.