Local energy provider (SMUD) forced me to reduce my planned production

[sunnyguy]

It seems like they are being awfully petty over <1000kwh/yr. Did you ask what this is based on and whether if you wait until January it would be recalculated based on 2016?

[inetdog]

Three comments, Steve:

1. Yes they can do this as a condition of being allowed to use their Net Metering program. If your system were not tied into the grid it would cost you anywhere from $.50 to $2.00 per kWh to operate, and you are free to make that choice.
2. It is technically easy to add panels later. What may be a problem is negotiating a new interconnect agreement, possibly on less favorable terms than you will get now. But you may also require a new building permit and inspection of the larger system.
3. To get maximum return on your investment it is not necessary to offset your entire power usage. If you are subject to Time Of Use (TOU) rates, you can zero out your bill without zeroing out your kWh production number.

[steveholtam]

So my system as designed per my plan was 6.44 kWh to produce 10,082 kW per year. This would about cover my entire existing usage. But last month I got an electric hot tub which I'm already seeing an increase on my usage on. However, my energy provider, SMUD, being in northern CA, denied my request for 6.44 and made me go down to 5.88 kWh, a loss of two panels. I showed them my last two years which have increased year over year, and I see this being the case going into 2017.

How come they are able to dictate my private purchase? Has anyone ever fought this? And can I add panels down the rode if I get their blessing?

Month	2015	2016	% Inc
SEP	814	1138	140%
AUG	793	1014	128%
JUL	937	976	104%
JUN	686	981	143%
MAY	611	708	116%
APR	582	767	132%
MAR	614	837	136%
FEB	616	737	120%
JAN	689	705	102%
DEC	637	713	118%
NOV	581	647	112%
OCT	690	872	126%
	8,250	10,095