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Distributed Generation Program

Idaho Falls Power's Distributed Generation Program is designed to allow customers the opportunity to generate electricity through the use of renewable energy sources (e.g. solar, wind, geothermal, small hydro, etc.) while still maintaining a connection to the electric grid, providing a reliable source of power during times when the customer's system is unable to offset usage.

How the Program Works

Upon approval and installation of the generation system, Idaho Falls Power will install a meter that measures electricity delivered to the customer and electricity received from the customer's generating system. At the end of each billing cycle, these amounts are compared to determine the customer's net energy position. Applicable rates and credits for delivered energy, received energy, and any net surplus are established in accordance with Idaho Falls Power's current rates and policies.

Price and Payments

If You Use More Energy Than You Generate:
Your  system's generation will offset the energy you receive from IFP. For each kilowatt-hour delivered by Idaho Falls Power, the customer is charged the applicable electric service rate based on the customer's rate classification.

If You Generated More Energy Than You Use:
If the customer's generating system produces more electricity than the customer uses during a billing period, the resulting net surplus will be compensated in accordance with the applicable Idaho Falls Power rate or Idaho Falls Power Service Policy governing customer generation. 

Program Requirements

The first step is to attend a brief orientation session with an Idaho Falls Power representative. Please call 208-612-8430 to arrange a meeting.

Renewable Size & Limitations

Per Idaho Falls Power Service Policy, customer owned generation facilities shall have a maximum annual generation capacity of no more than the previous 12 months of electric usage, although exceptions to sizing limits can be made if historic consumption warrants.

Installation Standards and Compliance

All systems must be installed in accordance with the standards outlined in the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy.

Required Forms

A construction permit from the City Building Department is required before modifying the electrical system on your home or business, and interconnection agreement must be executed with system design approved by Idaho Falls Power.

Tax and State Incentives

State and federal tax incentives may be available.

For information regarding the state of Idaho tax incentives, visit the Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources website: energy.idaho.gov, or call the OEMR office at 208-332-1660.

For federal tax incentives, visit www.energy.gov.

For more information, please review the Idaho Falls Power Service Policy.

Process

  1. Customer contacts Idaho Falls Power to obtain size limitations of their on-site generation system.
  2. Customer obtains a building permit from City of Idaho Falls Building Department.
  3. Customer submits required documents to City of Idaho Falls Building Department.
  4. City of Idaho Falls must review all required documents.
    • Electrical Review – Building Division
    • Interconnection Agreement & One-Line Drawings – Idaho Falls Power
    • Building Review – Building Division
  5. Once review is complete and approved, the City of Idaho Falls Building Department issues necessary permits to the customer.
  6. Customer installs system.
  7. The customer contacts the City of Idaho Falls Building Department for final inspection.
  8. The City of Idaho Falls building inspector notifies Idaho Falls Power that the system was inspected and is ready for a net meter to be installed.
  9. Idaho Falls Power meter technician installs the new meter and notifies the City of Idaho Falls Utility Office of the new net metering customer.
  10. 10. Utility Department changes account type to ‘Net Metering' & Idaho Falls Power notifies the customer that they are set-up for net metering.

Have a question?

208-612-8430
ifpinfo@ifpower.org