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.

Understanding Net Meter Digital Displays   Meter Number - This display shows the meter number that is associated with the net metering customer's account, and should be identical to the numbers that are printed on the meter itself, right above the digital display screen.   Billing Register - This screen (beginning with "04") displays the total kWh usage (net consumption and generation) registered by the meter. This is calculated within the meter, as excess kWh generated by the customer and exported to the electric grid is subtracted from the kWh that is imported to the customer from the electric grid. This number is what is used to bill or credit customers.   Segment Screen - This screen (beginning with "888") displays every LCD segment that can possibly show up on the meter screen. Any missing segment is an indication that the meter is not properly displaying numbers, and needs to be changed. A segment screen check is conducted by our meter readers at every meter read.   Energy Flow - The arrows on the bottom left of the display screen indicate the direction in which the electricity is flowing from the meter. When the blocks and arrow are moving to the left, excess energy that is generated by the customer is being exported to the electric grid. When the blocks and arrow are moving to the right, energy is being imported into the customer's home from the electric grid.

New York

The following table summarizes New York net metering rules.

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.