|
Resources |
Renewable Energy TechnologiesHome Energy EfficiencyBusiness Energy EfficiencyTake Action |
|
Programs |
About Us | Supporters | Contribute | Calendar | Contact Us
Policy - Net Metering
Policy - IncentivesTellus Institute Demand-Side ReportSouthwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)Net Metering |
Utah Power Overview of Net Metering
With net metering technology, you can sell energy to your local utility provider! How does it work? Basically, you will be charged for the amount of energy that you purchase from the utility company minus the cost of the energy you provide to the utility company.*
What is Net Metering? Net metering measures the difference between the electricity you buy from your utility and the electricity you generate using your own solar or wind or other acceptable renewable generating equipment. Your meter keeps track of this difference as you generate electricity and take electricity from the electricity transmission grid. When you generate more than you use, your electric meter spins backward.
Normally your electric meter spins forward as it measures how many kilowatt-hours or electricity you buy, and is read by your utility once a month. A Net Meter allows you to use the electricity you generate first, reducing what you would normally buy from your utility. If you generate more electricity than you use, the excess goes through you electric meter and into the grid, spinning your meter backward. Your meter shows the net amount, measured as the difference between the electricity you generate and the electricity you purchase from your utility.
Net Metering Policies - Green Power Network
Net metering programs serve as an important incentive for consumer investment in renewable energy generation. Net metering enables customers to use their own generation to offset their consumption over a billing period by allowing their electric meters to turn backwards when they generate electricity in excess of the their demand. This offset means that customers receive retail prices for the excess electricity they generate. Without net metering, a second meter is usually installed to measure the electricity that flows back to the provider, with the provider purchasing the power at a rate much lower than the retail rate.
Net metering is a low-cost, easily administered method of encouraging customer investment in renewable energy technologies. It increases the value of the electricity produced by renewable generation and allows customers to "bank" their energy and use it a different time than it is produced giving customers more flexibility and allowing them to maximize the value of their production. Providers may also benefit from net metering because when customers are producing electricity during peak periods, the system load factor is improved.
Sample Language for Net Metering
Net metering is a program for customers who generate their own electricity. Under this program, the customer's default utility will purchase, at a standard rate, the electricity generated in excess of the customer-generator's need.
© 2005, All rights reserved, Utah Clean Energy
