The Basics of Solar Net Metering
Using renewable energy sources such as solar panels helps the environment.
In addition, you can save money, and even sell excess power to your local utility! How does net metering work? It's really quite simple.
•You install your new solar panels, and tie in to your utility company's grid.
This is usually accomplished via your existing electric service meter.
•On an average day, when your family is away at work or school, your solar panels generate power.
Since no one is home, and not much power is needed by the refrigerator and other 'always on' appliances, you have a surplus of energy.
You transfer that surplus from your house out to the utility company, where it can be stored in the grid or used by another utility company customer.
As the energy surplus is transferred to the utility, your meter runs 'backward' to credit your home for that power.
•Later in the evening when your family is home, you use more electricity.
To watch TV, wash clothes, power other appliances.
After the sun goes down, your solar panels can't provide the energy you need, so you draw back from the utility company and your meter runs 'forward' again.
•Periodically, your utility company will calculate your 'net' usage, or metering: energy consumed, less energy transferred to the grid.
If you transferred more than you consumed, your utility bill will show a credit instead of any charge! •In addition, by providing your surplus to the grid, you help the utility company to burn less fossil fuels to generate needed power.
The U.
S.
government has mandated that net metering be available to consumers throughout the country.
Each state administers its own net metering program; benefits vary depending upon technology but can include features such as the ability to carry credits forward from month to month, cash rebates for accumulated surplus energy transfers, equipment purchase rebates, and attractive tax incentives.
For information specific to your location, an excellent resource is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, found online at http://www.
dsireusa.
org.
In addition, you can save money, and even sell excess power to your local utility! How does net metering work? It's really quite simple.
•You install your new solar panels, and tie in to your utility company's grid.
This is usually accomplished via your existing electric service meter.
•On an average day, when your family is away at work or school, your solar panels generate power.
Since no one is home, and not much power is needed by the refrigerator and other 'always on' appliances, you have a surplus of energy.
You transfer that surplus from your house out to the utility company, where it can be stored in the grid or used by another utility company customer.
As the energy surplus is transferred to the utility, your meter runs 'backward' to credit your home for that power.
•Later in the evening when your family is home, you use more electricity.
To watch TV, wash clothes, power other appliances.
After the sun goes down, your solar panels can't provide the energy you need, so you draw back from the utility company and your meter runs 'forward' again.
•Periodically, your utility company will calculate your 'net' usage, or metering: energy consumed, less energy transferred to the grid.
If you transferred more than you consumed, your utility bill will show a credit instead of any charge! •In addition, by providing your surplus to the grid, you help the utility company to burn less fossil fuels to generate needed power.
The U.
S.
government has mandated that net metering be available to consumers throughout the country.
Each state administers its own net metering program; benefits vary depending upon technology but can include features such as the ability to carry credits forward from month to month, cash rebates for accumulated surplus energy transfers, equipment purchase rebates, and attractive tax incentives.
For information specific to your location, an excellent resource is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, found online at http://www.
dsireusa.
org.
Source...