Micro-SOP: FAQ

There is currently no specified expiry date for the Micro-SOP.

The Micro-SOP offers a streamlined application process with a simplified contract, metering, and interconnection requirements for community-scale energy projects. The program was designed specifically for First Nations and communities.

The eligibility requirements are detailed in the Program Rules.

The Micro-SOP will only accept clean or renewable energy as defined in the Clean Energy Act. The list of defined resources also includes "any other prescribed resource". If you have a resource that you believe should be prescribed as clean or renewable, please contact the Ministry of Energy to make this request. If you’re not sure that a particular technology is included in the clean or renewable definition, please email us a detailed inquiry.

Projects that have a combined total capacity exceeding 1 MW will be moved into the Standing Offer Program.

Our current policy is to retain all the Environmental Attributes from clean or renewable purchases and the value is included in the price paid for the energy.

Certain clean or renewable electricity purchases such as biogas, landfill gas and anaerobic digester projects have upfront greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions that are associated with the capture and destruction of methane that is not common to other forms of clean or renewable electricity such as small hydropower or wind. Currently, it's industry practice to separate this GHG emission reduction for use or sale, while still considering the electricity as clean or renewable.

For Projects where GHG emissions can be reduced in the process of methane capture and combustion, BC Hydro will allow Developers to retain any rights associated with this upfront GHG reduction.  The Environmental Attributes associated with the generated renewable electricity including any future deemed GHG emission reductions from displaced grid energy, will be transferred to BC Hydro via the EPA.

Projects located behind a BC Hydro Customer Load are eligible to apply under the Micro-SOP; however BC Hydro will only purchase energy on a Net-of-Load basis.

In an effort to reduce costs, we'll use a smart meter where technically feasible.

Information on obtaining an interconnection of a project is available in the interconnection section of the Micro-SOP Rules and on the Distribution Generator Interconnections website. We'd also recommend that you contact our Distribution Generator Interconnections group early on in the process.

As the Micro-SOP is a simplified process, all projects must be connected directly to the BC Hydro distribution system. If it's necessary to connect a project through a third party, a developer can apply under the SOP, which is able to accommodate more complicated arrangements.

Developers must submit an Application Form and supporting documentation for their project. See How to Apply.

There is no application fee for the Micro-SOP. However, there will be other costs associated with the application process. As part of the process, the developer is responsible for paying the costs of required interconnection studies. Developers should contact our Distribution Generator Interconnections group in the early stages of preparing their Application to determine what studies are required and the costs.

Yes, all applicants need to provide us with their project capacity and estimated monthly energy production and related energy calculations.

We recommend Developers file their Screening Study application with our Distribution Generator Interconnections group at the time they submit their Application to the Micro-SOP.

Developers should contact their local FrontCounter BC office in the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to obtain information on consultation requirements associated with the permits they will require.

Developers are encouraged to commence consultation with First Nations as early as possible.

A typical First Nations consultation record includes copies of correspondence with First Nations concerning the project, dates of meetings with First Nations, as well as minutes or meeting notes and presentation materials. A typical First Nations consultation record also includes any concerns that First Nations have identified with the project and responses by the developer to those concerns. Similar communications with Crown permitting agencies regarding First Nations issues and concerns should also be included.

The Program Rules state that documents with respect to a project's permits, site control and zoning must be provided at the time an Application is submitted. Please refer to the Application Form for more details with respect to which documents will be required. Where the project consists of a Completed Prototype Generation Facility, BC Hydro reserves the discretion to identify the permits that are required prior to an offer of an EPA following a review of the project.

BC Hydro will pay for each MWh of energy delivered based on:

1. the base price as determined by the region of the point of interconnection [PDF, 240 KB]; and
2. any CPI escalation applicable to the base price

We offer all generation technologies the same price, with prices differentiated by the region where the energy is delivered to us

Monthly reports on the British Columbia CPI can be found on the BC Stats website.