Steps needed to interconnect a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, with Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

1. Submit a copy of Interconnection Application (must be fully completed, signed and dated). (Submit the same info to the applicable Building Inspector’s office.)
   
2. Submit a copy of Homeowners Insurance Declaration and sales contract: (total price with kWh production estimate per month).
   
3. System Sizing Limit: due to our wholesale power agreement, we are limiting the size solar PV connected to the annual kWh use divided by 1,800 for the AC kW size or the average monthly kWh use/150.
   
4. Submit a copy of a one-line electrical drawing and the $150.00 interconnection fee. Additional field inspection fee is $50, per inspection.
   
5. Berkeley Electric will review for completeness and notify solar company of the application status
   
6. Solar System construction: Effective Sept. 18, 2018 contractors MAY NOT connect in our meter base: they MUST connect in the member’s breaker panel. (See the engineering drawing.)
   
7. DO NOT enter our meter base! We will charge up to $1,000 for unauthorized meter tampering.
   
8. When the solar panel system is completed, contact the city or county Building & Codes Enforcement for an inspection, who will notify Berkeley Electric of the release. Leave the house breaker to the solar PV system ON! And the outdoor disconnect OPEN! This will allow for a BEC metering inspection.
   
9. Berkeley Electric engineering/metering staff is notified and a service order is submitted for installation of bi-directional meter.
   
10. There is typically a two-week time period after the release is called in by the Building Codes Official for the bi-directional meter to be installed. Leave the breaker to the solar system ON inside and OFF at the outside disconnect near the meter. This will allow for proper inspection. The system should only be energized once Berkeley Electric installs the bi-directional meter.
    
11. Either the solar PV company or the member is notified when bi-directional meter is installed. Berkeley Electric will not leave the solar PV system energized, unless an occupant is home at the time of inspection.
    

Berkeley Electric Cooperative Renewable Surplus Rider is available for Residential (up to 20 kWAC) and Small Commercial accounts (up to 100 kWAC) (BEC transformer <100 kVa). It is only available to non-demand billed rates and non-time of day rate. Large accounts (>100 kVa) may install bigger systems and use to lower their purchased kWh and no value for surplus power. We can help with custom sizing with hourly kWh use info, to help you get maximum use from your PV system.