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Solar FAQs
Huntsville Utilities customers have access to TVA Renewable Energy Programs.
Q. Are you interested in installing solar panels at your home and on your side of the meter?Green Connect helps residential customers who are ready to commit to a solar generation system (with or without battery storage) connect with quality installers. Customers have access to objective information and a network of quality installers, as well as receive installation verifications to ensure their systems are installed to TVA Green Connect standards.
Q. What is the maximum generation size allowed?
Allowable system size depends on the customer load. The TVA Solar Calculator will provide information on estimated cost to install, system size required and the number of solar panels to meet those needs.
Q. Is there a fee for submitting an Interconnection Agreement?
There is no fee to submit the HU Interconnection Agreement. The completed form can be emailed to energy@hsvutil.org. All interconnected systems must be installed under the direction of a NABCEP certified installer and be properly permitted and inspected by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ or inspection authority). In addition, all interconnected generation must be tested and approved by Huntsville Utilities personnel prior to interconnection in any way. Huntsville Utilities recommends prior to ordering a new system, approvals should be obtained.
Q. Does Huntsville Utilities require the customer to have general liability on their homeowner's insurance; and if so, what is the requirement?
General liability insurance requirements are as follows:
- Generation up to 10 kW: No additional insurance is required.
- Generation greater than 10 kW but equal or less than 50 kW: Interconnection Customer shall maintain an amount of not less than $1,000,000,
- Generation greater than 50kW: Interconnection Customer shall maintain an amount of not less than $5,000,000
Q. For the point of interconnection, does Huntsville Utilities connect on the utility or customer side of the meter?
Due to present TVA purchase price, most customers choose to connect new systems on the customer side of the meter. We do require the main overcurrent disconnect for the solar to be grouped with the main overcurrent disconnect for the residence by the meter.
Q. Does Huntsville Utilities allow customer to have a battery for backup?
Battery systems typically require additional isolation considerations, as well as mechanical open transition thrower systems. Huntsville Utilities representative will evaluate the proposed system and installation requirements prior to approval.
Q. How will solar generation impact my utility bill?
Huntsville Utilities does not do net metering or net billing. The customer has the option of connecting on the customer side of the meter to utilize as much generation as possible for their energy needs, or on the utility side of the meter for a sell all energy option.
Those connecting on the customer side have the option of participating in TVA’s Dispersed Power Production program for payment of excess generation. This does require installation of a second meter socket in series with the residential socket on the utility side of the customer’s main residential overcurrent disconnect in order to meter the excess generation for payment. The customer is paid directly from TVA for excess generation. Rates are subject to change.
Those connecting on the customer side may alternately choose not to participate in TVA’s Dispersed Power Production program, which means they will not be paid for any excess generation and are not required to install the excess generation meter socket.
For any additional information you may contact the following: