Cedar Falls Utilities works with customers who install renewable generating systems.

Installing and Connecting

Steps:

  1. Contact a few local solar installers to get a free estimate of energy production and costs. 
  2. Contact CFU Energy Services (319-266-1761 or energyservices@cfunet.net) for a free technical review of the estimates to ensure you understand their terms and assumptions.
  3. Compete the Energy Exchange Application and email it to energyservices@cfunet.net or drop it off at our Customer Service office at 1 Utility Parkway in Cedar Falls, open weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  4. CFU Engineering will review your application. A signed copy of the approved application will be sent back to you.
  5. Complete the installation with appropriate permits and inspections. City of Cedar Falls | Permitting & Licensing
  6. Contact to schedule a disconnect test. We will swap the electric meter and make rate changes to the Energy Exchange Rate at this time.

Energy Exchange Application PDF

Solar & Wind Energy Billing

CFU has established a tariff for purchasing energy from generating facilities owned by customers. Our Energy Exchange Rates are designed to fairly compensate the owners of renewable generation for the value of excess energy that they choose to sell to CFU and ensure that all customers equitably share in the costs of maintaining our electric distribution system. Systems up to 25 KW of nameplate capacity (50 kW for business) qualify for the Energy Exchange Rate. 

The Energy Exchange Rates are available in the annual Electric Rate Schedule.

Energy Purchased from CFU (Inflow)

Customers may still need to purchase energy from CFU to supplement the energy generated by solar panels or wind turbines. These customers will still incur the kilowatt-hour (kWh) retail rate as defined in the Electric Rate Schedule (including the basic service charge and current Energy Cost Adjustment rate) for all CFU power delivered during the billing cycle.

Energy Provided to CFU (Outflow)

Customers receive an Energy Exchange credit* for any excess energy that is delivered to the grid during the billing cycle. The Energy Exchange credit is applied to the electric section of the bill. Any excess credit rolls over to the overall utility bill of that billing cycle.

Example

  1. Solar panels take in sunlight and convert it to energy. Excess energy is put on the grid (outflow).
  2. If energy generated is not sufficient, energy is consumed from the grid (inflow).
  3. Outflow (energy put on the grid) and inflow (energy consumed from CFU) are recorded separately in real-time at the meter. Both inflow and outflow are then billed and credited accordingly each billing cycle.

 

Energy Exchange Rates Graphic for Solar and Wind

The Energy Exchange credit value per kWh will be equal to the CFU-determined avoided cost of energy, representing as applicable the value of avoided transmission capacity, generation capacity, and avoided MISO energy market purchases. This value is determined and adjusted annually in January. See the Electric Rate Schedule for the current value.