The following guidance is subject to change as the PUC finalizes any rulemaking orders.
If you have questions that pertain specifically to solar facilities, please refer to Guidance for Solar PV Systems.
If you are unable to find the response to your question, please contact PennAEPS customer service.
PJM Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) is the credit registry selected by the State of Pennsylvania to issue AECs. Facility owners use their assigned certification number to create a GATS account. Facility meter readings are recorded in the GATS system. For each megawatt hour (equal to 1,000 kilowatt-hours) of generation from a qualified alternative energy system, a corresponding number of AECs are issued. Once issued by PJM-GATS, the AECs become available to transfer to buyers.
The Program Administrator will notify system owners or their aggregators of deficiencies within the application via email or telephone. The Program Administrator also leaves a note within the pending application indicating what is missing from the application. The PUC allows up to 180 days from the submission date of the application to complete missing information without penalty. After 180 days, the application will be rejected and the applicant will not receive credit for any production accumulated during the past 180 days.
If an application is submitted more than 30 days after the utility interconnection date, the application must include a meter photo (if a revenue-grade kWh meter is installed) or inverter photo(s) capturing the total kWh as of the time when the application is submitted. The verified meter reading submitted at the time of application will be the starting point to earn AECs.
The Program Administrator reviews applications for new alternative energy systems within 30 business days of submission.
The PA AEPS year runs from June 1 through May 31.
The AEPS Act currently states that alternative energy obligation levels shown in the 2021 energy year are for “2021 and beyond.” Future legislation may change the alternative energy obligation levels.
If you have a contract with an aggregator that you will not renew at expiration, please contact the the PennAEPS Administrator at [email protected] so we can update our files.
AECs are expected to remain with the home. Any arrangement made between the buyer and the seller will be at the risk of both parties. In order to update AEC ownership, both parties must complete and sign the PJM-GATS system change form and provide a settlement statement, HUD 1, or deed to the Administrator by email to [email protected]. All information on the closing documents can be redacted except the names and signatures of the buyers and sellers and the closing date.
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits alternative energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential solar PV owner supplies more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours, the owner will receive credit that allows them only to be billed for their “net” energy use when electricity use exceeds the system’s output. AECs are fungible credits that each represent 1,000 kWh of total electricity production from an alternative energy system.
AECs are no different from Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Green Tags. “Green Tags” is a generic term for electricity generated from a variety of renewable energy sources including solar, wind, small hydro and biomass. AECs include both renewable energy resources and other PennAEPS-specific alternative resources. RECs and Green Tags are widely used to meet various state renewable portfolio standards and are traded in both compliance and voluntary programs in wholesale and retail markets across the U.S.
DSM projects are evaluated on a project-by-project basis based on the energy saving calculations provided in the PUC Technical Reference Manual (TRM). The program administrator evaluates the project and outlines the number of AECs the project qualifies for, details how/when the AECs are earned, and calculates credit depreciation for each energy year. The PennAEPS Administrator also determines whether to issue the AECs in one batch, in which case the certification number issued for the project would only be used once.
Generators do not “bank” their AECs. They own AECs until the credits are voluntarily transferred. Generators do not have a limit on the number of years when credits can be generated and can generate credits for as long as they maintain certification and environmental compliance. AECs can be used for AEPS compliance for three year from the generation date.
You will not be able to submit your application until you have received permission to operate from your utility. The certification date for your system will be the later of your final interconnection date or the date you submit a completed application. Applications submitted prior to receiving permission to operate will be withdrawn and will need to be resubmitted when the approval has been issued by the utility.
Once your utility has granted the facility permission to operate, they will provide a signed certificate of completion. The certificate of completion will need to be submitted with your application in PennAEPS portal. The certification date for your system will be the later of your final interconnection date or the date you submit a completed application.
The only facility information made available to the public is the qualified facilities report which contains the facility name, certification number, county the facility is located, and the system size. It is not the intent of the PUC or Program Manager to release additional information. Inquires for additional information are denied but may be challenged under the Pennsylvania Right to Know law (RTK).
PennAEPS randomly selects a number of systems each year for inspection. If your facility is selected, compliance with this inspection is required. You will work with our inspection team to schedule the inspection at an agreed upon time and date. If you have any questions about your inspection, please reach out to our customer service team via phone or email.
For systems that have multiple fuel inputs, you can provide quarterly fuel reports to our team, and we will calculate your eligible generation based on the fuel mix. You can find a link to our fuel mix template here.
Facilities participating in the AEPS program may not qualify for alternative energy system status without an annual certification of compliance with applicable environmental regulations and the standards set forth in the AEPS Act. See 52 Pa. Code § 75.62(f). If a facility is a PA AEPS participant registered to receive PA AEPS credits, failure to complete the compliance certification and attestation and to include the status of ongoing environmental obligations, as well as disclosing any environmental violations and resolutions thereof, may result in non-compliance with the PA AEPS statutory requirement that DEP ensure that all qualified alternate energy sources meet all applicable environmental standards. See 73 P.S. § 1648.7(b). Non-compliance may result in your facility’s de-certification from the PA AEPS program and the forfeiture of credits earned. The attestations are due in January of each year for the prior year.