This page will provide videos, steps, and links on how to customize your utility rates and apply them to your projects.
Steps to Creating a Custom Utility Rate
1. On the left sidebar, click "Libraries" then click "Utility Rates" to go to the Utility Rates Page.
2. Click the orange "+ New Utility Rate" button on the top-right of the screen.
3. Edit the name of the Utility Rate to something memorable (click next to the pencil icon to edit).
4. If your utility rate only 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"
5. Choose either "Energy Charges" or "Demand Charges" (if toggled on) to begin editing the rate.
6. For "Energy Charges" you can set your Net Metering parameters
a. Use the check box to toggle Net Metering on or off.
b. Set the Nonbypassable Charges value for all rates. Outside of California, this is likely set to 0. Search for the term on this page.
c. Set the net metering value for any specific rate. The Net Meter Rate determines the utility value of energy exports.
7. 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".
a. Edit the rate value ($/kWh for energy, $/kW for demand).
b. Add additional Rates by clicking the "+ Add Rate" button.
c. Add additional Tiers within rates by clicking the "+" button underneath the trash icon of the right current rate tier.
d. 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.
8. Set the month and hours your rate applies to create a Time of Use Schedule.
9. You can see an example of a complex rate here.
10. Click "Save" in the top right corner.
How to Apply Your Utility Rate
After completing the steps above, add the incentive to your project from the Overview page. Click the "Add Incentive" button and search for your new incentive.