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SRECTrade Expands Partnership With 365 Pronto For Solar-Log Meter Replacements

Posted January 26th, 2022 by SRECTrade.

As early as this February, providers will phase out their support of more than 22 million 3G communications devices—including critical equipment your solar system uses to measure, record, and communicate production data. Depending on the component makeup of that particular system, this can be either a revenue-grade meter or the CDMA/GSM modem within certain inverter models.

As a result of this phaseout, these modems/meters will fall out of compliance for the minting of SRECs and receipt of quarterly payments to solar system owners.

To prevent this sunset from impacting you, SRECTrade has partnered with 365 Pronto to remove and dispose of old 3G modems or meters and replace them with new 4G/5G modems or meters that follow the regulations and network communications needed for verified SREC payments to system owners.

While there is no fine or penalty for not having this equipment swapped out, system owners who choose not to upgrade will soon stop receiving quarterly SREC payments, negatively impacting their expected return on investment from their solar installation(s).

Pricing, Payment, and Rollout
System owners are responsible for the cost of this replacement equipment and related labor. SRECTrade is committed to helping our customers keep costs low, so we have negotiated preferred pricing with 365 Pronto, our technology and logistics partner. This pricing is conditional on the system owner registering for the replacement in a timely manner when the rollout has reached their geographical region.

The rollout is being conducted in phases and is currently underway in Massachusetts, with a registration deadline of Monday, February 7, 2022.

If you delay the registration—or do so outside the period within your region—we cannot guarantee the agreed-upon preferred price.

Massachusetts SREC Market
Current SREC market prices are around $300/MWh/SREC. For the average system size of 7 kW, this represents a potential loss of $2,100 per year in quarterly SREC credit payments for Massachusetts residents. For systems larger than the average, the loss could be even greater.

Next Steps
If you are a Massachusetts resident receiving quarterly SREC payments, the process begins by visiting the replacement program entry page to help determine whether you need a meter replacement or a modem replacement:

Replace Your Meter – Sign Up with 365 Pronto

From there you’ll complete a simple, step-by-step, online interface to register your system. Completing the application to register your system takes less than 10 minutes. You will be asked to:

  1. Verify the accuracy of our records about your system and site location
  2. Make an initial payment for the work to commence
  3. Provide the best contact information for a local provider to contact you and schedule the work

We estimate that your meter will arrive 30-40 days after you purchase it. Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your equipment in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation. In many cases, the homeowner does not have to be present during the installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a revenue-grade meter?
    • The meter is what your solar system uses to communicate your solar output with SRECTrade. Without this meter, we cannot determine how many SRECs to mint to you.
  2. Why is this replacement necessary?
    • Wireless communications protocols become obsolete over time, and the wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) are phasing out old networks (2G/3G) in favor of faster, upgraded networks. Many solar systems installed more than three years ago likely have equipment designed for the network technology of the time (2G/3G).
  3. What is 365 Pronto?
    • 365 Pronto is our technology and logistics partner. It is a technology platform company matching asset owners (you) with an on-demand qualified workforce (local service providers) through automated technology. Because of its unique model, it can service the entirety of SRECTrade’s systems under trading.
  4. How much will a new meter cost?
    • SRECTrade negotiated a lower-than-market price for this work of $1,193.40; however, you’re eligible for a 20% in-market price discount on your meter if you register for your replacement before Monday, February 7, 2022. That means a reduced price of $998.70*, but you’ve got to book in this time frame for when 365 Pronto is conducting the work in your area.
    • *Disclaimer: Price is subject to i) applicable sales tax on equipment and ii) change, based on availability and when you reserve your meter. Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your meter in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation.
  5. Can I use my original installer?
    • Yes, you may contact your installer to ask about having this work performed. However, providers who are not part of the 365 Pronto network may not be able to guarantee the same price. This is why it is important to book your meter replacement with 365 Pronto before Monday, February 7, 2022 and reserve your discounted price.
  6. When will my new meter be installed?
    • The ongoing effects of the pandemic have caused worker shortages, which have impacted factory production of goods, including meter. Delays at major ports have slowed down shipping and delivery schedules even more.
    • Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your equipment in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation. At that time, 365 Pronto will process your payment for the installation. In some cases, the homeowner does not have to be present during the installation. However, if the unit is in the garage, it may be necessary for you to be present during the installation.
  7. Do I need to do anything once the new meter is installed?
    • No. Once your new meter is installed, it will begin to communicate your solar output with SRECTrade as normal. If you have questions about your account, please email ma.renewables@srectrade.com.
  8. How do I know my meter is working?
    • We understand that there is a delay between when your output is recorded and when your SRECs are minted. We will provide email confirmation to let you know that the system is working. If you have questions about your account, please email ma.renewables@srectrade.com.
  9. Will my meter stop working after the SREC deadline and interrupt my SRECs?
    • Your meter will continue to monitor your output; however, it will no longer communicate directly with SRECTrade after the 3G sunset, which is scheduled to happen as early as February 2022. If you have specific questions about your SREC account, please contact ma.renewables@SRECTrade.com.
  10. What is the meter model type and manufacturer that is being used for the replacement(s)? Is it up to the installer?
    • Installers do not have a choice in the type of replacement meter they install. They will replace your meter with the Cat M1 ArrayMeter.
  11. Whom should I contact to cancel a work order? Is this possible in the first place?
    • If, on the rare occasion, a customer wishes to cancel an order, they should submit the request to support@365pronto.com.
  12. Is the 365 Pronto Wizard secure?
    • The security of the 365 Pronto platform and website is paramount, and we treat customer information with the utmost care. Information is captured by 365 Pronto through our platform and stored on AWS servers. 365 Pronto is an AWS native platform, and for that reason, we use the Well-Architected framework provided by that cloud provider. We follow the design principles proposed in their security pillar. These include principles such as (1) Implementing a strong identity foundation, (2) Enabling traceability, (3) Applying security at all layers, (4) Automating security best practices, (5) Protecting data in transit and at rest, (6) Keeping people away from our data, and (7) Preparation for security events. Anyone with additional questions should reach out to support@365pronto.com.
  13. Is there a 365 Pronto customer service phone number to call for assistance with registering? How can clients sign up if they do not have a computer?
    • Currently, we offer chat support via the website and email support. Although we can help customers with the process, they need to access our platform to purchase their meter. They can log into the sign-up wizard from any browser on a phone, laptop, or device of their choice. Anyone with questions should reach out to support@365pronto.com.

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Posted in Massachusetts, Solar Equipment, SREC Markets | Comments Off on SRECTrade Expands Partnership With 365 Pronto For Solar-Log Meter Replacements

SRECTrade Partners With 365 Pronto For 3G Sunset

Posted November 4th, 2021 by SRECTrade.

Overview
Next year, telecommunications providers will phase out their support of more than 22 million 3G communications devices—including the revenue-grade meters used for measuring and recording the production of solar energy systems. As a result, these meters will fall out of compliance for the minting of SRECs and receipt of quarterly payments to solar system owners.

To prevent this sunset from impacting you, SRECTrade has partnered with 365 Pronto to remove and dispose of old revenue-grade meters and replace them with new revenue-grade meters that follow the regulations and network communications needed for verified SREC payments to system owners.

While there is no fine or penalty for not having the meter swapped out, system owners who choose not to upgrade their meter(s) could soon stop receiving SREC payments, negatively impacting the expected return on investment from their solar installation(s).

If you have not yet been contacted by us, don’t worry, we’ll be in touch in the coming weeks as the program rolls out.

Pricing, Payment, and Rollout
System owners are responsible for the cost of this replacement equipment and related labor. SRECTrade is committed to helping our customers keep costs low, so we have negotiated preferred pricing with 365 Pronto, our technology and logistics partner. This pricing is conditional on the system owner registering for the replacement in a timely manner when the rollout has reached their geographical region.

The rollout with be conducted in phases and will begin in Massachusetts. If you register before Saturday, November 20, 2021, you’ll be eligible for a 20% in-market price discount on your meter and installation.

If you delay the registration—or do so outside the period within your region—we cannot guarantee the agreed-upon preferred price.

Massachusetts SREC Market
Current SREC market prices are around $300/MWh/SREC. For the average system size of 7 kW, this represents a potential loss of $2,100 per year in quarterly SREC credit payments for Massachusetts residents. For systems larger than the average, the loss is even greater.

Next Steps
If you are a Massachusetts resident and have been recently contacted by us regarding your SREC payments, the process begins by visiting a simple, step-by-step, online interface to register your system:

Replace Your Revenue-Grade Meter – Sign Up with 365 Pronto

Again, if you have not yet been contacted by us, don’t worry, we’ll be in touch in the coming weeks as the program rolls out.

We estimate that your meter will arrive 30-40 days after you purchase it. Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your meter in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation. In many cases, the homeowner does not have to be present during the installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is a revenue-grade meter?
    • The meter is what your solar system uses to communicate your solar output withthe SREC tracking registry. Without this meter, the registry cannot determine how many SRECs to mint to you.
  2. Why is this replacement necessary?
    • Wireless communications protocols become obsolete over time, and the wireless carriers (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) are phasing out old networks (2G/3G) in favor of faster, upgraded networks. Many solar systems installed more than three years ago likely have equipment designed for the network technology of the time (2G/3G).
  3. What is 365 Pronto?
    • 365 Pronto is our technology and logistics partner. It is a technology platform company matching asset owners (you) with an on-demand qualified workforce (local service providers) through automated technology. Because of its unique model, it can service the entirety of SRECTrade’s systems under trading.
  4. How much will a new meter cost?
    • Through our partnership, we were able to negotiate a special lower-than-market price just for Massachusetts SREC Trade customers.  This price includes all parts and installation, plus a one-year cellular data plan.
    • You should act now, because next month, 365 Pronto providers will be conducting work in your area. If you reserve your meter replacement slot by Saturday, November 20, 2021, you can secure a 20% in-market price discount on your meter and installation.
    • You will need to register and purchase your replacement meter before Saturday, November 20, 2021, to secure this discount.
  5. Can I use my original installer?
    • Yes, you may contact your installer to ask about having this work performed. However, providers who are not part of the 365 Pronto network may not be able to guarantee the same price. This is why it is important to book your meter replacement with 365 Pronto before Saturday, November 20, 2021 and reserve your discounted price.
  6. When will my new meter be installed?
    • We expect that your meter will arrive 30-40 days after you purchase it. Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your meter in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation. At that time, 365 Pronto will process your payment for the installation of your meter. In many cases, the homeowner does not have to be present during the installation.
  7. Do I need to do anything once the new meter is installed?
    • No. Once your new meter is installed, it will begin to communicate your solar output with SRECTrade as normal. If you have questions about your account, please email ma.renewables@srectrade.com.
  8. How do I know my meter is working?
    • We understand that there is a delay between when your output is recorded and when your SRECs are minted. We will provide email confirmation to let you know that the system is working. If you have questions about your account, please email ma.renewables@srectrade.com.

*Disclaimer: Price is subject to i) sales tax on equipment and ii) change, based on availability and offering acceptance timing. We expect that your meter will arrive 30-40 days after you purchase it. Once your 365 Pronto service provider has your meter in stock, they will reach out to you to schedule the installation.

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Posted in Installers, Massachusetts, Solar Equipment, SREC Markets | Comments Off on SRECTrade Partners With 365 Pronto For 3G Sunset

SRECTrade Expands Eligible Solar Generation Auto-Reporters to Include eGauge and Fronius Integrations

Posted March 21st, 2019 by SRECTrade.

SRECTrade is excited to announce that eGauge and Fronius are now eligible to auto-report production for all PJM GATS facilities through SRECTrade’s online platform. The new integrations expand on SRECTrade’s existing functionality with Enphase Energy and SolarEdge. These new integrations demonstrate SRECTrade’s commitment to focusing on delivering efficient technology solutions to its clients.

Selecting eGauge will require applicants to also provide the eGauge “Device ID” or “Device Name”. Similarly, selecting Fronius will require applicants to also provide the Fronius “Site ID”. SRECTrade’s Operations and Reporting Team will work with applicants on completing auto-reporting setups.

For Illinois-sited facilities, eGauge and Fronius are now approved auto-reporters for the Illinois Adjustable Block Program (ABP).

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U.S. International Trade Commission Finds ‘Injury’ in Solar Tariff Case

Posted September 22nd, 2017 by SRECTrade.

On Friday, September 22nd, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) unanimously voted that imported solar equipment has inflicted “serious injury” on domestic manufacturers. The decision is in favor of Suniva and SolarWorld’s petition under Section 201 of the 1974 Trade Act, wherein the petitioners argued that solar equipment imports have impaired domestic manufacturers’ ability to compete.

Following this finding, the ITC will hold a hearing on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 in Washington D.C. to evaluate potential trade remedies. The ITC will make its remedy recommendation to President Trump by November 13, 2017, ultimately leaving the decision on whether to impose a remedy in Trump’s hands. Considering the President’s demands for more tariffs on imported goods, it seems that a tariff on solar equipment imports is probable. President Trump will have 60 days after the ITC’s recommendation to issue his decision.

In their petition, SolarWorld and Suniva request a remedy of tariff levels of 40 cents per watt on imported cells and a floor price of 78 cents per watt on modules, either of which would negatively impact jobs and solar development across the U.S., with devastating impacts in states without renewable energy mandates. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the implementation of such a tariff could eliminate 88,000 jobs in solar installation, sales and construction.

Notably, the ITC vote carved out that U.S. manufacturers have not sustained injury from Singaporean and Canadian solar cells and modules, the finding of which could create the potential for these countries to become free trade zones. Singapore’s integrated solar equipment manufacturer, REC, could benefit greatly from this lack of injury finding.

SEIA President and CEO, Abigail Ross Hopper, assured the industry that the organization remains committed to its opposition-advocacy efforts, saying that “As the remedy phase moves forward, I am determined to reach a conclusion that will protect the solar industry, our workers and the American public from what amounts to a shakedown by these two companies.”

SRECTrade will continue to monitor and provide updates on the remedy hearings, recommendation, and Trump’s final decision.

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New Jersey Revenue Grade Meter Requirement

Posted September 28th, 2012 by SRECTrade.

In late spring 2012, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) mandated that all photovoltaic facilities participating the in the New Jersey SREC market have revenue-grade meters installed to monitor system production. Previous to the ruling it was possible for systems with a nameplate capacity of less than 10 kW create SRECs from production estimates derived from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s  PV Watts production calculator. This ruling impacts thousands system of homeowners in New Jersey who have gone solar over the past several years. You can read more about the decision at the New Jersey office of Clean Energy website. The two key aspects of this ruling are:

1. In order to be eligible for SRECs, all NJ customers must have a revenue-grade meter by November 30, 2012.

2. Customers who have had SRECs created by estimates will have to begin reporting readings by November 30, 2012.

Revenue-grade Meters

Revenue-grade meters are power production meters that measure to +/- 2% accuracy per the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rule C12.1-2008. Inverters often have power production meters but they are often only accurate to  +/- 10%. The revenue-grade meter is the device that measures the output of your solar system, not the utility meter that measures how much power you take from the power grid. Many residential installs in New Jersey have used cheaper, non-revenue-grade meters because the state originally did not require them. If your meter is not a revenue-grade meter or you are unsure about whether or not you have a revenue-grade meter, you will need to contact your installer. If you are unable to reach your installer, you can use our directory to find a local installer. We have seen price quotes in the $300 to $1,000 range depending on equipment requirements and facility location.

Switching from Estimates

Many of our customers already report their readings to SRECTrade each month. If you have not been reporting to us because you are on “Estimated Generation”, your SRECs will no longer be created automatically after November 30th.  On that date, we will switch all customers who are currently on “estimates” to “reported readings”. If you are on estimates and are able to begin reporting your readings from your revenue-grade meter sooner than that, please email customerservice@srectrade.com with the date that the meter was installed and your current meter reading. We will then update your account and explain how to report your readings directly to your www.srectrade.com account moving forward.

***If you have questions about revenue-grade meters, please contact an installer. We won’t be able to answer questions regarding your solar equipment.

Finally, it is very important that you comply with this change, otherwise you will lose thousands of dollars in potential SREC revenues in the long run. We understand that the BPU ruling is unfortunately retroactive for systems that did not have a meter already installed, however, we hope that this information will make it easier for you to comply with the change.

 

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US-China Trade Dispute Update

Posted March 23rd, 2012 by SRECTrade.

Back in January we put up a blog post on the US-China solar module trade dispute.  The schedule of events has changed somewhat since the January posting. SolarWorld, a German-owned, module manufacturing company with operations in Oregon asked the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate the fairness of subsidies provided to Chinese manufacturers by the Chinese government. The complaint set in motion two types of investigations. The first is a countervailing duty investigation (CVD and the second is an anti-dumping (AD) investigation. On Tuesday, 3/20/12, the DOC levied tariffs on crystalline silicon modules produced in China of between 2.9 and 4.37 percent. On May 17th, the DOC is scheduled to issue a finding on the AD investigation. It’s possible that the AD ruling by the DOC will be for additional tariffs.

The CVD tariffs specifically discuss Suntech and Trina solar. With Trina modules receiving the highest tariff and Suntech modules a lower tariff than the rest of the solar products impacted by the ruling. Click here for an official DOC summary of its CVD ruling.

  • Trina- 4.73%
  • Suntech- 2.9%
  • All others- 3.59%

    • Click here for additional analysis of the ruling written by James Montgomery of Renewable Energy World, an online renewable energy forum.

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    Update on US-China Trade Dispute

    Posted January 17th, 2012 by SRECTrade.

    We’ve received a lot of questions over the last couple of months about the on-going trade dispute with China over the price of Chinese-made crystalline solar modules. Crystalline modules are by far the most commonly installed module type in the United States. Currently the trade dispute doesn’t include thin-film or other solar equipment. Given the central importance of equipment affordability to the solar industry we figure it’s high time to put a quick blog post together summarizing the trade dispute so far.

    On October 19th, 2011, SolarWorld and unnamed companies under the newly formed Coalition for American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) file a lawsuit with the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) asking for 100% import duties on crystalline modules imported from China. Two types of investigations are on-going by the DOC/ITC. The first type is a countervailing duties (CVD) investigation. If the DOC/ITC find merit to the SolarWorld lawsuit then the US can impose counter-tariffs to offset the unfairly priced Chinese modules. The second is an anti-dumping (AD) investigation. In a “dumping” investigation the DOC/ITC investigate whether low-priced Chinese modules have caused “injury” to the US economy. If the investigations find “injury” then strong fines could be imposed on China for any crystalline solar modules that they export in addition to countervailing duties. If both CVD and AD fines are imposed module prices exported from China would increase dramatically, forcing Chinese manufacturers to find alternative channels to distribute their products. Many China-based modules manufacturers have preemptively begun to invest in production facilities in Taiwan and other southeast Asian countries not subject to the threat of US import tariffs.

    Below timeline acquired from GTM’s Solar Power Year in Review 2011 article.

    October 19th, 2011- SolarWorld and unnamed companies under the newly formed Coalition of American Solar Manufacturers (CASM) file an AD and CVD claim with the DOC and the ITC, setting in motion a timeline for the DOC and ITC to form separate investigations.

    November 8th, 2011– DOC initiated investigation

    December 5th, 2011– ITC made preliminary determination of injury, confirming that they will continue investigation

    March 27th, 2012- DOC to make determination in its AD and CVD investigation

    May 11th, 2012- ITC to make initial determination on CVD investigation

    May 18th, 2012- ITC issues orders on its CVD investigation

    June 11th, 2012- DOC final determination on its AD investigation

    July 25th, 2012- ITC final determination on its AD investigation

    August 1st, 2012- DOC final determination on AD investigation

    The DOC/ITC schedule is staggered so that the DOC can follow the ITC’s lead on its determinations on the anti-dumping allegations, but the DOC will make a determination before the ITC on the CVD investigation. In candid discussions with some industry experts we’ve been led to believe that some CVD determination will be made by the Department of Commerce in March.  If either CVD or AD fines are imposed, crystalline module prices will increase for both China-derived modules as well as modules made in the US and other countries.

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