Check the actual utility tariff, value self-use and usable export credits, complete interconnection requirements and reconcile settled bills and cash flows.
Collect the utility’s current interconnection application, eligible system/ownership terms, metering requirements and rate schedule. Record effective dates, import/export settlement intervals, credit carryover, expiry, cash-out rules and any fixed or demand charges. Resolve applicability with the utility before valuing a proposal.
Obtain comparable generation and household-consumption data for the tariff’s measurement intervals. Split generation into self-use and exports without double counting. Retain the site model or meter basis, time zone, missing intervals and any export limit or curtailment assumption.
Apply avoided-import value to self-used energy and the actual export rate and realizable-credit share to exports. Include incremental program charges and keep unchanged charges out of an incremental savings comparison. Model unused or expired credits explicitly instead of assuming every credit becomes cash.
Coordinate the proposed equipment, system size, export settings, approved electrical design and metering with the installer and utility. Track required reviews, inspections and permission to operate. Use component calculations only for their actual design purpose and retain official approvals separately.
After authorized commissioning, compare meter imports/exports, tariff time bands, credits applied, balances carried and additional charges over the same billing periods. Check meter direction and configuration through the approved process if the data does not reconcile. Retain bills and the remaining questions.
Use the verified bill benefit in annual cash flows with actual installation, maintenance, replacement and incentive timing. Compare tariff changes and consumption shifts as separate cases. Export the tariff version, assumptions, meter evidence and approvals so the next review starts from a traceable baseline.
Retain tariff documents, version dates, eligibility questions and utility responses. · Track application identifiers, equipment/export settings, inspections and utility authorization. · Record bill discrepancies, meter/configuration evidence and utility resolutions.
Integrate actual AC intervals on the same reporting window.
Prepare consistent self-use and export energy quantities for each tariff band. · Calculate self-use value, usable export credit and net benefit by entered tariff band. · Replace forecast tariff rows with observed settled energy and usable credit amounts.
Review the proposed PV input configuration when checking the submitted electrical design.
Evaluate dated cash flows and NPV using verified annual tariff benefits.
Summarize a constant annual-benefit payback case when that simplified assumption is appropriate.
Loading your checklist…
Verify the actual utility arrangement and project requirements when comparing solar value.
Financial results depend on the full set of annual receipts, costs and timing assumptions.
A financially attractive scenario does not establish that a system qualifies for a utility program.
A different rate, export cap or household schedule can change savings without changing panel output.