Education

WHAT IS NET METERING?

Net Metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential customer has a PV system on the home’s rooftop, it may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours.

If the home is net-metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output. Customers are only billed for their “net” energy use.

On average, only 20-40% of a solar energy system’s output ever goes into the grid. Exported solar electricity serves nearby customer loads.

Giving customers control

Net Metering allows utility customers to generate their own electricity cleanly and efficiently. During the day, most solar customers produce more electricity than they consume; net metering allows them to export that power to the grid and reduce their future electric bills.

California public agencies and schools will save $2.5 billion in electricity costs over the next 30 years using net metering.

Schneider electric

U.S. BAttery EV deep cycle batteries

SOLAR EDGE intro video

SolarEdge™’s grid services offer aggregative control and data reporting enabling the pooling of PV and storage in the cloud for the creation of virtual power plants.

Offering benefits to all stakeholders, the solution will provide utilities with the tools to leverage distributed energy generation systems to more efficiently meet demand.

Solar Edge Technology Overview

This video from SolarEdge features the different inverter types and how to install them.

A short comparison of the three inverter topologies string inverters, microinverters and SolarEdge DC optimized inverters.

Jobs & Private Investment

Net Metering provides substantial statewide economic benefits in terms of jobs, income and investment. Net metering increases demand for solar energy systems, which in turn creates jobs for the installers, electricians, and manufactures who work in the solar supply chain.

Today, the solar industry employs more than 250,000 American workers in large part to strong state net metering policies which have allowed the solar industry to thrive.

Protecting the Grid

Unfortunately, some utilities perceive net metering policies as lost revenue opportunities. In fact, net metering policies create a smoother demand curve for electricity and allow utilities to better manage their peak electricity loads. By encouraging generation near the point of consumption, net metering also reduces the strain on distribution systems and prevents losses in long-distance electricity transmission and distribution.

Want to support net metering policies in your state? Advocate for solar energy. Your voice counts!