Shoulder:
The Shoulder period is defined as the hours between 12:00 noon and 2 p.m. and the hours between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for the calendar months of June through September (Summer Months). The above hours on days in which the following holidays are observed shall be considered Off-Peak: Independence Day and Labor Day.
Tariff:
A tariff, also referred to as a schedule, is a written document on file with the PSC that describes how Georgia Power calculates its charges to customers and the terms and conditions for service.
Rider:
A rider is a modifier to an existing tariff; how it's priced, who qualifies, or how we bill it.
Residential:
Rate designated for dwelling units suitable for year-round family occupancy containing full kitchen facilities.
Billing Cycle:
The dates between the last time your meter was read to determine energy consumption and the current bill reading.
Customer Charge:
Covers Georgia Power Company's monthly administrative fees to meter and bill for electric service.
Energy Charge:
The amount of money charged to a customer based on their specific energy (kWh) consumption and tariff.
Fuel Charge:
A monthly charge designed to recover all costs associated with the fuel used to generate electricity. Fuel for example, can be nuclear, coal or natural gas. Georgia Power makes no profit on fuel charges.
Demand Side Options:
Program designed to:
- Shift load to off-peak hours
- Reduce generation capacity needs
- reduce overall energy usage
Examples
- Compact Fluorescent Lights (CLF's)
- Home Performance & ENERGY STAR ®
- Refrigerator/Freezer recycling
ECCR:
Part of each rate designed to recover costs associated with the environmental controls mandated by state and federal regulations.
Franchise Fee:
A monthly charge that recovers Georgia PSC approved fees Georgia Power incurs for conducting business within the city limits and on the cities' rights-of-way across the state of Georgia.
Nights & Weekends:
A residential time of use rate that is designed to encourage customers to use less electricity during on-peak periods (M-F, 2-7pm) in the hottest part of the summer (June - September) when electricity prices are the highest.
On Peak:
The charge associated with using electricity during on-peak periods (M-F, 2-7pm) in the hottest part of the summer (June - September) when electricity prices are the highest.
Off Peak:
The charge associated with using electricity during off-peak periods.
For example, on the Nights & Weekends tariff, off-peak rates are defined as: October - May, Holidays, and June - September (except 2pm - 7pm) when electricity prices are the lowest.
Billing Demand:
The highest 30 minute kW (or peak) measured during the current month and the preceding eleven months. For PL rate schedules billing demand is determined by the greatest of:
Summer Months (June - Sep.)
- 100% of current month
- 95% of highest summer month
- 60% of highest winter month
Winter Months (Oct. - May)
- 95% of highest summer month
- 60% of highest winter month
Hours Use Demand:
HUD = The approximate number of hours in a month the customer uses billing demand.
What obligation does a customer have when making an application for service?
The customer enters into a one year contract with renewable periods of the same duration, unless the customer or GPC provides written intent to dissolve the contract at least 30 days prior to the renewal period.
Who is responsible for selecting a customer's rate?
The customer is responsible for selecting any applicable rate for his/her particular service needs. The Company will, at any time upon request, provide advice as to the most beneficial rate for a customer's existing or anticipated service requirements, but changes in operation going forward could make another rate more beneficial. GPC does not guarantee that a customer's account will always be on the most beneficial rate.
Once a rate has been selected by a customer, what is the customer's obligation?
Having selected a rate, the customer may not change to another rate within a 12 month period unless there is a substantial change in the character or conditions of service. The customer must initiate any rate changes once they are eligible. Additionally, where a service contract is signed by the customer and the Company, the terms of the contract may require an account stay on a specific rate for a period longer than 12 months.
Which rate is most suited for a typical commercial account, such as a retail store or an office building?
Usually, the power and light rates (PLS, PLM, and PLL) are the best rate for a customer who has A/C, lighting, and computer load which operates during normal business hours. For accounts which have the flexibility to operate at non-peaking times, time of use rate and off-peak riders are available.
What is meter constant?
For customers receiving three phase service from Georgia Power Company, metering equipment often requires that electricity flowing through the meter be stepped down and then stepped up in order to be measured and not damage the meter. When this occurs, a meter constant is used to calculate the actual energy usage. In order to calculate usage in kWh's, take the reading at the end of the billing period, subtract the beginning reading, and multiple the difference by the meter constant.
What is billing demand and actual demand?
Actual demand is the peak demand occurring within the billing period. Demand, measured in kW, is the thirty minute average of the instantaneous usage within that period. It is the rate of using electricity. The highest thirty minute average is the peak actual demand. Most rates consider the peak actual demand for each month within a twelve month period to determine the billing demand, which is a calculated number used to bill the customer each month.
Help me understand how the ratchet is determined?
Billing demand ratchet is a way of spreading demand costs out over a full twelve months as opposed to billing the customer for the full demand cost each month. It is similar to budget billing for commercial and industrial customers. Most customers peak during a summer month, when Georgia Power Company's cost to generate electricity is at its highest. The billing demand is driven by this peak demand and spreads the cost out going forward. Some of the more common rates which include a billing demand ratchet are: PLS, PLM, PLL, G, SCH, and SLM.
Explain the payback on solar power?
To calculate simple payback, divide net costs by net annual revenues.
Example: let's assume your system costs $30,000 and is expected to produce 3,000 annual kWhs. If you're eligible for $12,000 of incentives (tax credits, etc.) then your net cost is $18,000. If you're on GPC's single-directional program and being paid 17 cents/kWh, your annual revenue is $510; if your annual metering fees are $40, then your annual net revenues are $470. $18,000/470 = 38 years.
What is the environmental compliance cost?
Environmental Compliance Cost Recovery or ECCR is part of each rate designed to recover costs associated with the environmental controls mandated by state and federal regulations. This rider was put in place on January 1, 2008, and is a percentage of the customer's bill.
What is the franchise fee?
A "pass through" charge, meaning Georgia Power Company earns no profit, to collect money owed to cities across the state of Georgia for allowing Georgia Power Company to conduct business within the city limits and on the cities' rights-of-way.
How is fuel cost recovery calculated on my bill?
Fuel Cost Recovery (FCR) is simply a "pass through" charge where Georgia Power Company recovers costs associated with all types of fuel used in the generation of electricity. It is a simple calculation, which is the number of kWh's consumed in a month times the appropriate charge. Most residential customers are billed on the secondary level charge. There are actually two secondary fuel charges, and customers are billed on one of these rates based on the billing month. Summer months are June through September, and winter months are October through May.
What is the new Nights and Weekend rate?
Time of Use - Residential Energy Only (TOU-REO) or "Nights and Weekends" rate, as it is often called, is a rate structure for residential customers which encourages off-peak usage of electricity. The rate reflects the fact that Georgia Power Company incurs higher costs to generate electricity during the peak hours of Monday - Friday, between the hours of 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm, during the summer months of June through September. Customers are incented through lower energy charges to shift as much usage from the on-peak time period as possible. Some ways to accomplished this are by raising the air conditioning thermostat during the on-peak hours or shifting clothes laundering or dishwashing to nighttime, morning or weekend hours.
What is the difference between FlatBill and Budget Bill?
Unlike Budget Billing, there is no true-up for a monthly or annual balance if electricity usage is different from the FlatBill as long as the contract is fulfilled.
