This article explains how to customize utility rates and apply them to your projects.
Steps to Creating a Custom Utility Rate
In the left sidebar, click Libraries, then click Utility Rates, or click here to go to the Utility Rates Page.
Click the yellow + New Utility Rate button on the top-right of the screen.
Edit the name of the Utility Rate to something memorable (click next to the pencil icon to edit).
On the Overview tab, tf your utility rate only has charges for energy (per kWh), you’ll want to disable demand charges (which are charged per kW of peak demand). To turn off demand charges, click the toggle to the far right of "Demand Charges" under "Rate Structure"
Additionally, you can add Recurring Charges and Minimum Bill Charges if they apply
Next, choose either "Energy Charges" or "Demand Charges" (if toggled on) to begin editing the rate.
Editing Energy Charges
For Energy Charges, you can set your Net Metering parameters
Use the check box to toggle Net Metering on or off.
Set the Nonbypassable Charges value for all rates. Outside of California, this is likely set to 0. Search for the term on this page.
Select Apply Annual True-Up if it applies and set the Net Export Rate
For both "Energy Charges" and "Demand Charges" you can set the following. You can change the name of the rate section, such as "Summer Peak", or "Summer Off Peak" by clicking the pencil icon next to "Rate".
Edit the rate value ($/kWh for energy, $/kW for demand).
Add additional Rates by clicking the "+ Add Rate" button.
Add additional Tiers within rates by clicking the "+" button underneath the trash icon of the right current rate tier.
You can then edit the Tier Cap and Absolute Cap values. The Tier Cap value will determine the highest amount of energy for what that specific tier charge applies to before a different tier charge applies for additional energy. The Absolute Cap value will determine the highest amount of energy for that specific rate charge and all preceding rate tiers chares applies to.
Next, you can set up the time of use schedule by adding numbers corresponding to the TOU period on the table based on the hours the schedule applies to
You can see an example of a complex rate here.
Editing Demand Charges
Under Demand Charges, you can add a Non-Coincidental Demand charge
Also, you can add TOU (Time of Use Demand) charges if they apply to your project (you can include multiple TOU Demand charges if they apply by clicking Add Rate). You can add multiple TOU Demand charges
Next, you can set up the time of use schedule by adding numbers corresponding to the TOU period on the table based on the hours the schedule applies to
Click "Save" in the top right corner.
How to Apply Your Utility Rate
After completing the steps above, add the rate to your project by going to the Energy Usage section
Then click the pencil icon