How to apply for customer generation

• Review the self-generation or community generation eligibility criteria to ensure your project is the right fit for this service.
• If applying for solar panel or battery storage rebates, review the specific rebate eligibility for the offer you're applying for and the terms and conditions [PDF, 120 KB]. 
• All projects including inverters must meet our interconnection requirements [PDF, 776 KB].

The scale and setup of your generation system will determine whether we classify your project as simple, complex (A), complex (B), or complex (C) which will impact processing time and some of the documentation required.

Please note, new construction applications with buildings operating on a temporary meter or have no meter installed will be classified as complex applications. This classification applies regardless of the system’s nameplate capacity or the level of net injection proposed.

* A self-contained revenue meter can be identified by an additional four-digit meter code following the initial digits of the meter number. The four-digit meter code begins with a letter and if the third digit is either six or seven, the meter is a self-contained meter. For example, P963, K967, or P973.

For complex (B) self-generation projects, you'll also need to have final, digitally rendered versions of the following ready to upload:

• Single line diagram – e.g. Sample line diagram [PDF, 260 KB]
• Site plan – e.g. Sample site plan [PDF, 154 KB]
• If the project includes battery storage and/or a hybrid or micro-grid inverter:
  
  • Battery inverter data sheet with certification.
  • Manufacturer documentation for the power flow management control system.
  • Description of the mode of operation, which must:
    • Be on the contractor's company letterhead.
    • Be signed with the name and contact information of the signatory person.
    • Contain a narrative with a logic block diagram describing the intention for a mode of operation with a power flow management control system including: a transfer switch, micro-grid isolation device, hybrid inverter controller, number of battery inverters with ratings, etc., and a protection system in alignment with the manufacturer document and single line diagram.

For complex (B) projects with synchronous or induction generators, the following are also required in addition to the list above:

• Generator data sheet showing nameplate information.
• Description of project protection and control system (logic block diagram or narrative).
• Description of protection failure scheme (see 4.2.3 of DGTIR).
• Protection single-line diagram showing: protective relays, relay functions, and protection functions that trip mechanical equipment (such as a protection function failure scheme).
• Description of the generator starting sequence (logic block diagram or narrative).

• Provide your BC Hydro account number.
• Confirm the meter number associated with your service address. Refer to your BC Hydro bill.
• Select the correct meter if multiple meters exist on your account, ensuring it corresponds to the building where your system will be installed.

• Your inverter is on the approved and qualified equipment list [PDF, 524 KB]
• If your inverter is not included on our list of common inverters, it will undergo additional technical review, which may extend the overall application processing time. View the monitoring device and inverter review process for more information.
• All generation equipment must meet current certification and safety standards.
• All projects including inverters must meet our interconnection requirements [PDF, 776 KB].
• If applying for solar panel or battery storage rebates, review the specific rebate eligibility for the offer you're applying for and the terms and conditions [PDF, 120 KB].

If you plan to install equipment that is not yet on BC Hydro’s qualified product list it must go through a technical review before it can be installed and used.

Approval must happen before installation and the application will be held in review stage util the equipment is approved and on the qualified list.

Please note, timelines vary, especially during high‑volume periods. Providing complete documentation helps speed up the process.

1. Submit equipment details: Installers must provide the inverter and monitoring device model numbers, certifications, and technical specifications.

2. BC Hydro reviews the equipment: Engineers check whether the equipment is already approved.

• If approved: no further review needed.
• If not approved: engineers review safety features, grid‑support functions, communication capabilities, anti‑islanding protection, voltage/frequency response, and monitoring accuracy (including reporting intervals, data formats, and revenue‑grade performance).

3. Approval: If the equipment meets all requirements, it is approved and added to BC Hydro’s qualified equipment list.

4. Follow‑up if needed: If information is missing or the device does not meet standards, the installer must provide additional documentation or choose another device.

5. Proceed with installation: Once approved, the customer can move forward with installation, interconnection, and service enrollment.

• The service address must have a permanent meter installed.
• New construction applications with temporary or missing meters will be classified as complex applications.

• A complete single‑line diagram must be provided for complex applications.
• System specifications, including nameplate capacity and inverter details, must be clearly identified.

• Your installer must hold all required trade certifications and permits.
• Electrical permits must be obtained where applicable.
• Beginning June 1, 2026, solar and battery installations must be completed by a Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN) member in order to be eligible for rebates.

Confirm that all information provided is complete and consistent. Incomplete or inaccurate submissions may result in delays or reclassification.

There are multiple statuses for your application. Here's what each one means:

• Draft: The application has been drafted by a contractor and is waiting for the customer to complete and submit it.
• In review: A BC Hydro agent is reviewing the application. This may include reviewing submitted documents, confirming eligibility requirements, or coordinating any required inspections.
• Action required: The customer or contractor must complete an action before the application can move forward. This may include uploading additional documents, correcting information or providing missing information.
• In service: The application has been approved, your system is currently in service, and your rate change is complete.

You can view your application status here. You’ll need to log in to MyHydro first.

When you apply for customer generation, BC Hydro reviews the technical requirements of your request to determine whether the existing electrical infrastructure can support your system. In some cases, upgrades are needed to ensure your system can connect safely and reliably.

Once the engineering review is complete, our customer generation team will contact you to explain any system upgrades required for your project. If you choose to proceed, we’ll connect you with our design connections team to move forward. Please note that design‑related upgrades ranging from pole replacements to transformer upgrades can extend the overall application processing timeline.

For additional details, please refer to design connections.

Upload the following documents to your application:

• The Electrical Contractor Authorization and Declaration document. Completed by the Field Safety Representative (FSR), they’ll also have submitted this document to Technical Safety BC or your city/municipality. It must contain the following:
  • Permit number
  • Installation address
  • Project (generation system) size
• The final, paid project invoice from your contractor (only applicable if you’re applying for rebates)
  • Make sure the invoice meets all the requirements outlined in our solar and battery storage sample invoice [PDF, 112 KB].
  • This invoice must be uploaded to issue your rebate. For quicker rebate payment ensure this document is uploaded promptly.

For complex projects, you'll need to upload a few additional documents prior to connecting to the grid. You'll see which documents are needed under actions required in your online MyHydro application, and they may include:

• Field verification testing (charges apply)
• Commissioning report
• Photos of the system

If we require incremental interconnection costs (see Electric Tariff: Generating Facility Connections) [PDF, 26 KB], you'll be notified separately by one of our agents.