Net Energy Metering (NEM)
Net Energy Metering (NEM)
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) is committed to providing competitive rates for customers with solar or other onsite behind-the-meter renewable energy systems while supporting economic and environmental benefits for all 3CE customers.
Please note: 3CE customers receiving NEM service will continue to see PG&E or SCE minimum monthly delivery charges on their bills. PG&E or SCE will continue handling NEM transmission and distribution charges and credits, while CCCE assumes responsibility for NEM electric generation charges and credits.
Monthly Billing
Each month, net energy – the difference between the energy produced by a customer’s generating system and the amount of electricity supplied by 3CE – is calculated. Any remaining credits are carried forward to offset potential charges in the next billing cycle. Net Surplus Compensation is calculated during December of each year for all 3CE customers receiving NEM service.
Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) and Annual True-Up
All 3CE customers receiving NEM service will have their annual true-up for energy used in December of each year. Customers eligible for Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) at this time will receive payment or bill credit based on the 3CE Net Surplus Compensation rate. End of Year Statements will be available in January of each year.
Residential customers with an NSC payment of $200 or greater and commercial customers with an NSC payment of $500 or greater are eligible to choose payment via bill credit or check. Eligible customers must request payment by check within 45 days of true-up each year by contacting Customer Support. All other NSC payments are delivered as bill credits.
Current 3CE Net Surplus Compensation Rate
(Effective March 1, 2022)
NSC Check Request Form and Example Bills
Information for New or Enrolling Customers Receiving NEM Service
All enrolling 3CE customers receiving NEM service experience a true-up at the time of enrollment with 3CE. Net Surplus Compensation will be calculated at this time for customers with transmission and distribution credits, as well as generation credits, after which all credits will be reset to zero.
Per 3CE’s annual December true-up for all customers receiving NEM service, enrolling customers may be trued up twice during their first year of 3CE service. If you are considering enrolling your NEM account with 3CE, we recommend contacting the Customer Support Center to optimize true-up timing that best fits your needs.
NEM Frequently Asked Questions
When does 3CE’s Annual True-Up occur?
Customers on the NEM program receives an annual true-up in December of each year. Customers eligible for Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) will receive payment or bill credit based on 3CE’s board-approved rates. End of Year Statements will be available in January of each year.
How are NEM customers billed on a monthly basis?
On a monthly basis, if a 3CE customer on our NEM program generates more electricity than they consume, the customer will earn a credit which carries forward to offset costs in the following month. If a customer consumes more electricity than the customer’s system generates, then the customer pays for the net consumption costs.
Why did 3CE choose December for annual true-up?
When we instituted a standard annual true-up month, the majority of our customers received true-ups in October, January, and March. Therefore, December was designated as the least impactful month across all existing customer true-up dates.
Why does 3CE bill NEM customers monthly?
Monthly billing provides customers with greater visibility into how their on-site generation systems are functioning and when they are over or under-generating. Monthly billing also helps mitigate the potential for significant year-end charges for customers whose systems regularly under-generate, which represents the majority of NEM customers.
Does 3CE support solar?
Unequivocally, yes. 3CE invests significantly in all renewable energy resources, including solar, as part of its pathway to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2030.
Is 3CE supporting local solar, battery, and microgrid industries?
3CE is committed to investigating and developing local renewable energy resources.
- 3CE has contracted with four developers to build six local projects comprised of 100MW of solar and 50 MW of battery storage, and five yet-to-be-determined small storage facilities, all located in 3CE’s service area.
- 3CE will prequalify local developers to distribute up to 100MW of stand-alone battery storage (sized 1 to 5MW) throughout the 3CE service area.
- 3CE is leading discussions supporting key legislative initiatives to support battery deployment, microgrid developments, and baseload bioenergy projects.
- 3CE supports local developers and the local economy through its outreach and energy programs.