Solar Power and Net Metering

Switching to renewable sources of energy has emerged as the perfect optionfor saving the environment even while gaining relief from the burden of

rising utility bills. For instance, if you install a solar power system in yourhouse, you can rest assured that the clean energy is not harming the Earth

in any manner. And as you use solar power, your energy costs willobviously come down drastically.

With interconnection, you can still stay connected to the local utility grid.This will allow you to draw power during nights or when the solar powergenerated by the panels falls short of your requirements. Therefore, you

will only be paying the utility for the additional power drawn from as andwhen needed. In fact, grid-connected PV solar power systems can enjoyseamless shifts between solar power and energy drawn from the grid.

Net metering comes into play

California (and some other states as well) provide a means of furtherreducing this utility payment. Just like your energy demands will be higher

now and again, there will be times when the solar power system will beproducing more energy than what you need or can use. This excess energy

generated can actually be easily sent back to the utility grid!

A special billing arrangement known as Net Energy Metering keeps trackof how much electricity is consumed by your household from the electricutility grid as well as also how much excess electricity generated by the

solar panels is sent back into the grid. The meter spins forward when you

draw electricity from the utility and actually runs backward to providecredit for the excess energy. So you get the full retail value for what you

pump back into the grid and can offset this against your utility payments.

Over a 12 month period, you will be paying only the net amount ofelectricity you use from the utility beyond the energy generated by yourown solar power system. (Additional monthly service and distribution

charges may also apply.) So, depending on your solar power productionand usage, you can actually end up zeroing out your utility bill.

But that’s not all either. If you find yourself generating a net energysurplus - i.e., the power you sell back to the grid is greater than what youdraw from the same – you can actually receive a payment for this energy!

Special utility tariffs are in place to determine the price of this excessenergy. The net surplus will be calculated at the end of every 12 month

periods.

Free solar panel installation is offered by certain leading solar panel serviceproviders. And the cost of going solar is greatly offset by the various

incentives and energy credited back to the grid. What’s more, with b youcan rest assured that you are doing your bit to reduce your carbon

footprint and save the world!