Net metering

Generate your energy from renewable sources? You may be eligible.

If you own or operate a renewable electricity generating facility, you’re probably familiar with the peaks and valleys of energy production. Our Net Metering program can help you manage your electricity and reduce your hydro costs. Here’s what you need to know and how to become a participant.

What is the Net Metering program?

The Net Metering program gives you the power to better manage your energy costs. When you’re producing more renewable electricity than you can use, we’ll take your surplus supply. In return, we’ll give you a credit on your bill to help pay for those times when you’re not generating enough power and need to draw from our grid.

You can learn more about net metering on the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) website.

How does the Net Metering program work?

You’ll receive your monthly hydro bill for the electricity you consume from the grid that month and accumulate credit on your bills in return for the renewable electricity you sent to the grid that same month. If you have credits that exceed your monthly consumption, they will be carried over to future bills for up to 12 months.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Update: Effective July 1, 2022, the Government of Ontario introduced amendments to remove consumer-facing barriers, including up-front costs. The recent changes allow homeowners and small businesses to benefit from third-party arrangements such as leasing, renting, financing and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to participate in net metering while not owning or operating the renewable generation facilities.

You can apply for the Net Metering program if you’re a Toronto Hydro customer and meet the conditions outlined in this section.

  • You generate electricity primarily for your own use
  • Your electricity is solely generated from a renewable source including, but not limited to, solar radiation, agricultural biomass, drop-in-water elevation or any combination of these
  • You don’t rely on Toronto Hydro’s distribution system to deliver the electricity you generate to your consumption point
  • You agree to export the electricity that's in excess of what you consume to Toronto Hydro
  • You aren’t party to a contract or agreement, other than a qualified Net Metering Agreement, to sell electricity, in whole or in part, to Toronto Hydro
  • If you entered into an agreement with a third party relating to the renewable energy generation facility (i.e. Associated Equipment Agreement) on or after July 1, 2022, you confirmed with Toronto Hydro that the third party has disclosed the information outlined under the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) Net Metering Confirmation of Disclosure, which you can find on the OEB's retailer forms and templates webpage
  • You satisfy all the requirements outlined in the OEB’s Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures (PDF, 3.04 MB), section 6 of the OEB's Distribution System Code, technical requirements specified in CSA C22.3 No. 9 and Toronto Hydro’s Conditions of Service

  • You’ve entered into a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with an eligible third-party generator to purchase electricity generated from a facility that is owned or operated by the generator
  • The third-party generator generates electricity primarily for your own use
  • Your electricity is solely generated from a renewable source including, but not limited to, solar panels, solar radiation, agricultural biomass, drop-in-water elevation or any combination of these
  • The third-party generator doesn’t rely on Toronto Hydro’s distribution system to deliver the electricity they generate to your consumption point
  • You agree that the third-party generator, on behalf of you, exports the electricity that's in excess of what you consume to Toronto Hydro
  • Neither you nor the generator is party to a contract or agreement, outside of the qualified Net Metering Agreement or PPA, to sell electricity, in whole or in part, to Toronto Hydro
  • You satisfy all the requirements outlined in the OEB’s Distributed Energy Resources Connection Procedures (PDF, 3.04 MB), section 6 of the OEB's Distribution System Code, technical requirements specified in CSA C22.3 No. 9 and Toronto Hydro’s Conditions of Service

Important information if you’re entering into a third-party agreement

Before deciding to enter a third-party agreement, you must first contact us to ensure Toronto Hydro’s system capacity can safely connect you to its Net Metering program and your eligibility criteria meet the minimum requirements. Email us at der@torontohydro.com to see if you’re eligible to participate in our Net Metering program.

We must also receive the Net Metering Confirmation of Disclosure before you sign up for a Power Purchase Agreement if you entered into an agreement with a third party. You can find the Confirmation of Disclosure on the Ontario Energy Board’s (OEB) retailer forms and templates for net metering webpage.

Customers are responsible for learning about third-party agreements and reviewing the OEB's retailer forms and templates.

Note: Toronto Hydro has no obligation to make any arrangements between a customer and a third-party. Toronto Hydro has no obligation to govern, enforce, or otherwise become involved in services between third parties and consumers in a net metering arrangement. Toronto Hydro will not be held accountable or liable under any circumstances whatsoever for any damages incurred by customers as result of third-party agreements. For further information, please see Toronto Hydro’s Conditions of Service.

Let us help you

Contact one of our engineers to get your project off the ground.
Email us at der@torontohydro.com or call us at 416-542-3099.

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