The Basics of Solar Net Metering
Using renewable energy sources such as solar panels helps the environment. In addition, you can save money, and even sell excess power to your local utility!
How does net metering work? It's really quite simple.
a You install your new solar panels, and tie in to your utility company's grid. This is usually accomplished via your existing electric service meter.
a On an average day, when your family is away at work or school, your solar panels generate power. Since no one is home, and not much power is needed by the refrigerator and other 'always on' appliances, you have a surplus of energy. You transfer that surplus from your house out to the utility company, where it can be stored in the grid or used by another utility company customer. As the energy surplus is transferred to the utility, your meter runs 'backward' to credit your home for that power.
a Later in the evening when your family is home, you use more electricity. To watch TV, wash clothes, power other appliances. After the sun goes down, your solar panels can't provide the energy you need, so you draw back from the utility company and your meter runs 'forward' again.
a Periodically, your utility company will calculate your 'net' usage, or metering: energy consumed, less energy transferred to the grid. If you transferred more than you consumed, your utility bill will show a credit instead of any charge!
a In addition, by providing your surplus to the grid, you help the utility company to burn less fossil fuels to generate needed power.
The U.S. government has mandated that net metering be available to consumers throughout the country.
Each state administers its own net metering program; benefits vary depending upon technology but can include features such as the ability to carry credits forward from month to month, cash rebates for accumulated surplus energy transfers, equipment purchase rebates, and attractive tax incentives. For information specific to your location, an excellent resource is the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency, found online at http://www.dsireusa.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Is a solar power rebate from the state of PA considered taxable income? Any source is appreciated?-
ANSWER:
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QUESTION:
What kind of solar power setup would I need to power a single room's energy needs?
Let me just say, the cost would be too much to be worthwhile. It appears you would need at least 750 watts. if you wanted to use the electrical things at night too, the system would have to deliver that much power for the equipment, and more to charge the batteries. Make it a total of 1500 watts, and you would need between 10 and 15 panels, plus an inverter, mounting rails for the panels, two fused disconnect switches and wire. I expect around ,000 or more.http://solar-power-rebate.com/
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ANSWER:
At my electric rate of 7 cents a kwh, a 1500 watt system can make 10 cents of electricity per hour. Assume an average of 5 hours of full sun a day 365 days a year it makes 2.50 worth of electricity a year, which is 54 years to pay for itself if it does cost ,000. But I think you should be able to get a 1500 watt system for less than ,000, especially since costs are coming down and there are still rebates.
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QUESTION:
How much of a tax rebate can I get from installing solar?
I love the idea of adding solar power to my house, but am wondering if the tax benefits (and savings, of course) justify the cost.-
ANSWER:
The DSIRE website lists all federal, state, utility, regional, etc incentives available. http://www.dsireusa.org/. The feds offer a 30% tax credit, but depending on where you live, you may get more.This site does a good job figuring out the size of the system, the rebates, and the payback. http://www.altestore.com/howto/Tools-Calculators-Reference/Solar-Payback-Incentive-Calculator/a65/.
Also consider solar water heating, it qualifies for the rebates, and has a much better bang for the buck than solar electric.
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QUESTION:
pensioners having their welfare payments docked if they make money from selling solar power,?
A spokeswoman for Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin on Monday said Labor's rebates for the cost of installing solar panels and hot water systems were not counted as income for social security purposes.But if a pensioner sells off their excess power and receives cash payments or a rebate on their power bill, that is counted as income and their welfare benefits could be reduced.HOW SILLY IS LABOUR BECOMING ON PENSION REPORTING ?-
ANSWER:
If you are on welfare, that means the tax payers are paying for you to not work and do nothing. why should you make money? People on Social Security worked and paid into the system until they retired.
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QUESTION:
Are there rebates/incentives for solar/wind power in the Dallas/Fort Worth area?
I've found information on federal tax incentives, but I'm particularly interested in rebates for equipment purchase and installation. The city of Austin offers this, and in other areas rebates are offered by the power companies themselves. I can't find info particular to the Dallas/Fort Worth area, or energy providers in DFW.-
ANSWER:
I'm looking into wind power myself, and honestly, there are not many incentives other than the personal incentive to help out the environment and maybe save a little off of the monthly utility bill. Have you seen this page?http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/map2.cfm?CurrentPageID=1&State=TX
You'll see that the only incentives in DFW are the same that are available to most of the state - property tax incentives. There are also net metering laws (for utility buy-back), and I imagine that Green Mountain Energy would be the most generous:
http://www.greenmountainenergy.com/texas/home.shtmlHere's a couple of providers including one that actually manufactures their unique design here in the metroplex:
http://www.helioselectric.com/index.html
http://mag-wind.com/Hope this helps!
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