Net Metering is the process of measuring the difference between electricity delivered by WMECo to the customer and electricity generated by the customer with a Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 net metering facility and fed back to WMECo. Net metering allows a customer to reduce the amount of energy purchased from an energy supplier and receive compensation for excess energy (exported energy to the grid) produced by the customer's on-site generator.

View the net metering tariff (PDF:54KB), approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.

The Green Communities Act provides for three classes of net metering customers:

• Class 1: solar/wind/agricultural generation, 60 kW and less
• Class 1: all other generation (non-renewable) 60 kW and less
• Class 2: solar/wind/agricultural generation over 60 kW to 1,000 kW
• Class 3: solar/wind/agricultural generation over 1,000 kW to 2,000 kW

Click here to see related diagrams. (PDF:80KB)

If you believe your generation facility qualifies as Class 1, 2 or 3, submit the net metering application (PDF:116KB) to:

Western Massachusetts Electric Company
Attention: WMECo DG
55 Russell Street
Hadley, MA 01035-9455

See an example of a completed net metering application. (PDF:1.9MB)

Under the net metering rules, customers will receive a credit on their monthly bill based on their rate class. Under the new rules, the following will apply:

• Class 1 and 2 customers and municipal/governmental Class 3 customers whose generation is wind, solar or agricultural will receive credit equal to the excess kilowatt-hours (kWh) by time-of-use rates, if applicable, and the product of the sum of the following charges applicable to the rate class under which the customer takes service:
• Basic service kWh charge
• Distribution kWh charge
• Transmission kWh charge
• Transition kWh charge
• Other Class 3 customers will receive credit equal to the excess kilowatt-hours (kWh) by time-of-use rates, if applicable, and the product of the sum of the following charges applicable to the rate class under which the customer takes service:
• Basic service kWh charge
• Transmission kWh charge
• Transition kWh charge
• Class 1 customers whose generation is not solar, wind or agricultural will continue to receive the average loss-adjusted monthly clearing price set by ISO New England. These customers must submit proof to WMECo that they are a FERC Qualifying Facility.

For more information, or if you have questions, please e-mail wmecodg@nu.com or call the DG and Net Metering Information Line at (413) 787-1087.

The net metering provision, as approved in Massachusetts, allows up to 3% of the Distribution Company’s highest historical peak load for Private facilities and 3% of the highest historical peak load for Public facilities.

The highest historical peak load at WMECo is 845 MW and was recorded on August 2, 2006.

3% of the highest historical peak load is 25.35 MW.

As of May 1, 2013, the aggregate capacity of all Private installed Net Metered facilities towards the 3% of the highest historical peak load is 5.943 MW. Additionally, the aggregate capacity of Net Metered facilities pending interconnection is 19.833 MW.

As of May 1, 2013, the aggregate capacity of all Public installed Net Metered facilities towards the 3% of the highest historical peak load is 7.899 MW. Additionally, the aggregate capacity of Net Metered facilities pending interconnection is 7.577 MW.

D.P.U. 11-11-A - Request for Proposal of System of Assurance Administrator (PDF:539KB)