Imagine that you have just installed solar panels to your roof. You’re feeling good because you are helping to make the planet greener. The sun is shining down and your solar panels are absorbing power. What happens when you produce more energy than you consume? net energy metering is a clever procedure that can turn solar power surplus into credits.
Net energy meters are a billing system that allows individuals who produce their own electricity to send surplus energy to the grid. Imagine it as your energy account. You deposit excess energy when you produce more than you need. When your system doesn’t meet your energy requirements, you can withdraw the excess.
It’s like having your cake and eating if too. It’s true. How does the whole thing work out financially and environmentally, though? Firstly, by feeding excess energy into the grid via NEM you can reduce your electricity bill significantly. Over the course of a sunny, hot month, you might find that your panels produce more juice than what you consume. The excess juice is not wasted, but instead sent to the grid. You can use these credits when your panels produce less, such as during cloudy days or overnight.
NEM is more than just a personal savings tool. It also promotes sustainability. It reduces the reliance of fossil-fueled power stations, which, due to their emissions, are a big bully to Mother Nature. NEM users don’t just save money; they are environmental heroes without capes.
It’s not just sunshine and rainbows. Net energy metering policies can be very different, resulting in a patchwork regulation that confuses solar adopters. NEM regulations can vary from state to state, depending on the political climate or energy strategy. It is important to stay informed about your local energy laws, just as you would water your plants.
Do you think that net metering will be implemented in the near future? Check out the details of your local net metering policies. Some utilities cap the amount of solar power they accept from home systems. The incentives and rates of credits for surplus energy that is fed back to the grid can also change.
The initial cost of installation is another potential problem. Solar panels are not cheap. Although prices have dropped over the years the initial investment is still substantial. With the increasing costs of non-renewable energies, this investment could be a wiser one in the end, especially when it is backed up by net metering.