Who wouldn’t want their own solar-energy plant to make their own electricity and pay less to the utility company?

There have been many homeowners installing illegal systems on their homes for just that reason. It is illegal to install a solar-energy system without SGCPC and Government approval. It also may be unsafe and putting your neighbors at risk. 

We encourage those system owners to embrace the legal requirements and get those systems permitted and approved by SGCPC. 

Customers wanting their own solar-energy systems should refer to the SGCPC Interconnection Requirements document before paying deposits or signing contracts.

It is illegal to install a solar-energy system without SGCPC and Government approval. It also may be unsafe and putting your neighbors at risk.

Once fully permitted and approved:

  • Customer-owned solar-energy-only systems (no batteries) may connect and operate with the grid. 
  • Customer-owned systems that include batteries shall NOT be installed in a way that allows the solar and battery to be in parallel with the grid. This is the same safety precaution as when a Customer owns a backup generator – the generator must always be isolated from the grid. Installation requires a mechanical Automatic or Manual Transfer Switch.

 

Please refer to the Customer-Owned Solar Energy documents.

View Documents

Please note that SGCPC has the right and responsibility to deny applications if the capacity exceeds the allowable limits in the REP. You can review the REP here

Residential PV Systems smaller than 5 kW-AC power capacity shall be submitted directly to SGCPC for processing. Approval from the Ministry of Works is required prior to SGCPC approval. Larger systems require an application to URCA.

For new Customer-owned solar-energy systems – the forms necessary for Customer-owned solar energy systems are available at our offices during business hours. Please stop by and chat with us about your plans to make sure it is legal and complies with the Government-approved regulations. 

Owners of unpermitted, uninspected, and unauthorized solar energy or battery systems will be notified in writing as directed by URCA to enforce the Renewable Energy Plan (REP). To maintain safety and reliability, those Customers violating the regulations or refusing to follow installation requirements will be disconnected from the grid by removal of their meter and lock out of their grid connection. In that eventuality, the installation can still operate, but not with grid support. Any time the sun isn’t enough for the loads, the Customer’s backup generator will be running.