Did you know you can “sell” your excess solar power generation back to the utility. This can increase your savings while also improving the ROI on your solar investment. Net Metering is a billing plan that credits you for the electricity you add to the grid. While you can’t actually be paid, you can receive a credit which you can use to purchase grid-based electricity at night and during the darker winter months when your solar power system may not provide your total energy requirement.
When you generate more Solar Power than you consume, your electric meter essentially runs backward, and you get credit for the energy you contribute to the grid. When you contribute power to the grid, that means less power must be produced by the utility. This helps make the local grid more stable. And if your utility uses non-renewable resources, you would be helping reduce the carbon footprint for your local area as well as reducing the carbon footprint that comes from transporting those non-renewable energy fuels into your community from elsewhere.
In a way, it’s like having a storage battery without investing in a storage battery. However, there are important differences. With Net Metering, you must be connected to the grid, and you only have access to this power when the Grid is operational. If there is a power outage at night, you would be in a blackout just like your neighbors.
Remember, you don’t get paid. You get a credit that you can only use with your utility. But even though this won’t put money in your bank, you’ll have to take less money out of your bank to pay you electric bill.
Check with your local utility to find out their specific policies and terms. Chances are good that using Net Metering will allow you to recoup your initial investment earlier than if you didn’t take advantage of a net metering program. And check with SoL Energy to find out how you can take advantage of net metering.
