Net Metering and
Interconnection Definitions

These definitions were taken from "Rulemaking on Cogeneration and Small Power Production," Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, May 1981, page 2.

  • Qualifying facility: In general, a qualifying facility can only use biomass, waste, renewable resources (including hydro from existing dams) or a combination thereof as a primary energy source.
  • Qualifying small power production facility: A power production facility that is also a qualifying facility. Together with other facilities at the same site, it cannot have a capacity greater than 80 megawatts.
  • Cogeneration facility: A facility that produces both electricity and steam or some other useful form of energy such as heat. The FERC rule has no size limit for qualifying cogeneration facilities. Any cogeneration facility is a qualifying cogeneration facility.