OAR 860-039-0050: Requirements After Approval of a Net Metering Interconnection

(1) A public utility may not require an applicant whose facility meets the criteria for interconnection approval under the Tier 1 or Tier 2 interconnection review procedure to perform or pay for additional tests, except if agreed to by the applicant. (2) A public utility may not charge any fee or other charge for connecting to the public utility's distribution system or for operation of a net metering facility for the purposes of net metering, except for the fees provided for under these net metering rules. (3) Once a net metering interconnection has been approved under these net metering rules, the public utility may not require a customer-generator to test or perform maintenance on its facility except for the following: (a) An annual test in which the net metering facility is disconnected from the public utility's equipment to ensure that the inverter stops delivering power to the grid; (b) Any manufacturer-recommended testing or maintenance; (c) Any post-installation testing necessary to ensure compliance with IEEE 1547 or to ensure safety; and (d) The customer-generator replaces a major equipment component that is different from the originally installed model. (4) When an approved net metering facility undergoes maintenance or testing in accordance with the requirements of these net metering rules, the customer-generator must retain written records for seven years documenting the maintenance and the results of testing. (5) A public utility has the right to inspect a customer-generator's facility after interconnection approval is granted, at reasonable hours and with reasonable prior notice to the customer-generator. If the public utility discovers that the net metering facility is not in compliance with the requirements of these net metering rules, the public utility may require the customer-generator to disconnect the net metering facility until compliance is achieved.