Net Metering

Net Metering is a way for customers to literally take back their power.  Net Metering provides a secondary outlet for customers who want to use the technology of the sun or wind to save on their energy bills and possibly even bring in income from the energy they are producing.  Net Metering which is also lovingly referred to as the ‘grass roots for grids’ is being adopted by states across the US that are jumping on the clean-energy bandwagon.

Net Metering offers an incentive for those who want to know that they getting the amount of energy that corresponds with what they are being billed, and are also going to save money while simultaneously giving back to their environments.

Consumers who own solar or wind power generation systems can use Net Metering to their advantage. The ecologically-savvy who use agricultural biomass are also able to benefit from the Net Metering process.

 Savings

Customers can save as much as $40 a month by investing in an alternative energy generator that can be used for Net Metering.  Any access electricity that they generate from their own solar or wind power could be stored for later consumption.  The storing of the electricity is also called ‘banking’, and it provides the customer with the full value of the electricity that they use.  The potential savings for the customer depends on the amount of energy the customer is generating and banking. 

Those who Net Meter find themselves being ethically rewarded because they are no longer simply part of the consumption, which is part of the problem…. Net Metering transforms them into resources, which is part of the answer.  Putting back clean, renewable energy into the grid provides the inner satisfaction of knowing they can be thanked for cleaner air.

 How You Can Start Net Metering

 In order to Net Meter you need a generator system that will not have a peak power output that is greater than a megawatt.  Residents often find it unnecessary to get a second meter installed to take advantage of net-metering.  The standard kilowatt-hour meter that is used at most residences will accurately register the flow of electricity in either direction.

If you are interested in Net Metering and want to get started there are only a few steps to take;

1. Ask your utility company to provide you with details on how you can get a net-metering agreement and learn about any technical requirements and approval processes.
2. Discover which renewable energy source will work best for your local environment. (solar, wind, and agricultural bio-mass are three available alternatives)
3. Determine what size generator system will suit your needs.  Finding out the number of kilowatts you use annually is a good start to deciding on the generator’s size.

 Net metering is simply one more step that can be taken as the world progresses into the usage of alternative energy.  In certain states, Net Metering is only available on a first come first serve basis, but will become more readily available as states continue to expand the resources for those who desire to use their own generators.  Net Metering is still fairly new, but as local communities begin to understand the urgent need for energy independence, they can work together to help make Net Metering a more readily available alternative.