What is Net-Metering?
Net Metering is the regulatory ability to get credit for electricity you generate with solar energy and send backwards through your utility meter. Exact provisions vary with each state, but the effect is to allow you to generate excess power during the day, and use it at night, without needing batteries.
A. In most states, consumers can install small, grid-connected renewable energy systems to reduce their electricity bills using a protocol called net metering. Under net metering, electricity produced by the renewable energy system can flow into the utility grid, spinning the existing electricity meter backwards. Other than the renewable energy system, no special equipment is needed.
For solar electric systems installed on a home or business that’s connected to the grid (i.e. “grid-tied”) net metering allows you to have only one electric meter which can spin forwards or backwards at the same rate. So, when the sun is shining, your solar system is producing electricity that can be directly used by your home or business, thereby offsetting the amount of electricity being purchased from the utility company. However, if the electricity is not immediately used, where does it go? (for example, many homes are empty during the day while everyone is away at work or school, etc.) During these times, the electricity is actually sold back to the utility company, causing your electric meter to spin backwards to give you RETAIL credit for it. So, your electric meter may spin backwards and forwards on a daily basis, but you’ll only be billed according to the “net” reading on your meter at the end of each month. In this way, net metering allows you to take advantage of, and get re
