What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a provision that allows consumers to install small, grid-connected renewable energy systems,
such as solar and wind systems, to reduce their electric bills and have less impact on the electric grid.
Under
net metering, excess electricity produced by the renewable energy system, but not consumed by the
customer, can flow into the utility grid and is registered as a credit through the meter. If consumption
of electricity exceeds what is generated by the energy system, the meter will register the amount
of electricity that is consumed from the electricity grid.
O&R installs digital electric meters for net metering customers that are programmed to calculate
net consumption and generation, so you won't actually see a dial on the meter spinning forward or
backwards to indicate the direction of energy to or from the electric grid.
Unlike standard electric meters that are installed for non-net metering customers, these electric
meters have a number of digital displays that rotate every few seconds on the meter screen. Here
are explanations for each of these displays.
New York
The following table summarizes New York net metering rules.
| |
|
Residential |
Non-Residential |
Residential |
Non-Residential |
Farm-Service Wind |
Farm-Waste |
|
25 kW |
Up to 2MW |
25 kW |
Up to 2MW |
500 kW |
500 kW |
1% of
the total Solar and Farm Waste 2005 Demand per IOU |
.3% of
2005 Demand per IOU |
.3% of 2005 Demand per IOU |
1% of the total Solar
and Farm Waste 2005 Demand per IOU |
Details about Orange & Rockland's net metering program can be found on page 39 of Service
Classification Rider N in Orange and Rockland's Schedule for Electric Service. Additionally,
the New York State Public Service Commission has developed uniform interconnection
requirements for net metered systems. To be approved for interconnection to the electric grid,
systems must use type-tested inverters.
For more information, contact Orange & Rockland's Lenny Leon.
New Jersey
All "Class I renewable energy" up to 2 MW are elgibile for net metering in New Jersey, which includes the following:
- Solar Thermal
- Photovoltaic
- Wind
- Fuel cells powered by renewable fuels
- Goethermal
- Wave or Tidal action
- Methane gas from landfills
- Methane gas from a biomass facility (provided that the biomass is cultivated and harvested in
a sustainable manner)
For more information, contact Rockland Electric Company's Lenny Leon.
Pennsylvania
In June 2006, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission adopted new regulations for the net metering of customers
with on-site generating facilities using certain alternative
energy sources, including, but not limited to, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal power, wind power, geothermal
power, and biomass energy. Under the regulations, net metering is available to residential services up to 50kW
and all other service locations up to 3,000kW.
Details about PCL&P's net metering program can be found in Service
Classification Rider B in PCL&P's Schedule for Electric Service.
For more information, contact PCL&P's Lenny Leon. |