Customer Generation

The net metering tariff is for residential, small business and industrial customers that installed an eligible generation system, prior to implementation of Rider EDG.

Under this tariff, when a net metering customer's renewable generator is producing more power than is being consumed, the customer essentially generates credits toward the bill. When a net metering customer uses more power than is being produced, the meter records the usage in the standard fashion. Net metering customers are charged only for the "net" power they consume from CenterPoint Energy which has accumulated over a designated period or, if their renewable energy-generating systems make more electricity than is consumed, they may be credited for the excess electricity contributed to the grid over that same period.

Customers will remain eligible for the net metering tariff under the following conditions:

• ​Systems installed by Dec. 31, 2017
  Customers with systems installed by Dec. 31, 2017 will be credited at the full retail price* for excess power put back on the grid until July 1, 2047. After 2047, excess power will be credited at the Rider EDG.

• ​Systems installed after January 1, 2018 but before implementation of Rider EDG; or Customers with an approved, and signed, Net Metering Interconnection Agreement before implementation of Rider EDG
  
  Customers with systems installed after January 1, 2018 but before implementation of Rider EDG will be credited at the full retail price* for excess power put back on the grid until July 1, 2032. After 2032, excess power will be credited at the Rider EDG.
  
  Customers with an approved, and signed, Net Metering Interconnection Agreement before implementation of Rider EDG will be eligible for credit at the full retail price* for excess power put back on the grid until July 1, 2032 provided the following conditions are met.
  
  Approved, and Signed, Interconnection Agreements before Implementation of Rider EDG: Customers that submit applications for Net Metering, and receive an approved, signed Interconnection Agreement before Implementation of Rider EDG on May 14, 2021 must complete system installation within one year of the approved, signed Interconnection Agreement to remain eligible for credit at the full retail price* for excess power put back on the grid until 2032. After 2032, excess power will be credited at the Rider EDG.

• ​Qualifying Biomass Systems installed between now and July 1, 2022
  Customers with systems installed after implementation of Rider EDG but before July 1, 2022 will be credited at the full retail price for excess power put back on the grid until 2032. After 2032, excess power will be credited at the Rider EDG.
  

Customers will also remain eligible for the net metering tariff under the following conditions:

1. ​​In accordance with GAO 2017-2 and Ind. Code 8-1-40-13 and 8-1-40-14, any current Rider Net Metering customer that replaces (as defined in GAO 2017-2) their existing net metering facility after the Company's transition date will need to apply for approval of the new facility as a Rider EDG customer and will be deemed no longer eligible for Rider Net Metering. However, repairs, updates, and upgrades to portions of the net metering facility that do not increase the nameplate capacity (i.e. the alternating current output of the inverter(s)) of the net metering facility will not be considered to be replacing the net metering facility.
   
   
2. Or if a new customer establishes service at a premise that was previously eligible for Rider Net Metering. If needed, please contact the New Service Department by email to newservice@centerpointenergy.com to request an interconnection agreement.
   
   

There are a few key steps you must complete to begin the interconnection process, including a formal application, signing an Interconnection Agreement, a site drawing and an inspection. Use the project checklist and guidelines before beginning your customer generation project.

Project Checklist  Guidelines

Select the documents below which correspond with your project size to get started:

Contact us online or at 800-990-1930 to learn more or to get the process started. All positions and references are in accordance to CenterPoint Energy's TARIFF FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE (I.U.R.C. No. E-13) and are subject to future changes.

Available net metering capacity

CenterPoint Energy as of September 30, 2022	Total (kW)	Residential (kW)	Biomass (kW)	Non-Reserved (kW)
Summer Peak Load (2020)	984,300.000
Net Metering Capacity	14,764.500	5,905.800	2,214.675	6,644.025
Operating	20,025.850	8,922.310	-	11,103.540
Remaining	(5,261.350)	(3,016.510)	2,214.675	(4,459.515)
Queue - Approved Participants		-	-	-
Queue - Non-Approved Participants		-	-	-
Queue - Remaining**		(3,016.510)	2,214.675	(4,459.515)

​