Net Metering on Small Wind Turbine, Solar Residence or Farm

Many factors which you need to consider and calculate to see what your wind or solar project can do, financially. Local Utility and State Net Metering policy is one factor that you have to find out about and understand. Below is a generic diagram of a WindEnergy7 small wind turbine system and how it works on a residence. All the systems are complete and Grid-Tie. So, when you are generating more electricity than you use, your meter actually runs backward.

Net Metering - is the electricity policy for consumers who own wind or solar power generation systems. Net metering is the rules of your state and utility company combined. These rules vary by state AND utility provider, some better than others, thus it has much to do with the ROI (return on investment) of your system.

If you are in no position to get a solar or wind system, please read this and understand Net Metering and what it's about. Why? Because we need very broad support for improving Net Metering laws and policies that favor expansion and development of home solar and wind projects. So, even if you can't get your own system, please support and promote everyone's energy rights to do so.

Net Metering = Grass Roots for Grids

Many states have great Net Metering laws and policy with their Public Utility Commissions and their Utility companies Must support home systems broadly. But many states have none at all? Some states have Net Metering laws and support that sucks. How is your state support for Net Metering?

If you are going to support clean energy, start by learning about and heavily supporting Net Metering progress in your state. New Jersey/and Colorado are widely considered to have the best net-metering policies in the United States. Why can't YOUR STATE have as good a Net Metering policy as Colorado?

Ask your state representatives and governor. Ask your Utility company. Send them copy of Colorado and New Jersey Net Metering policies and tell them they suck in comparison. Push for change in growth and progress for Net Metering.

Tags: and, energy, for, generator, generators, home, homes, power, turbine, turbines

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Permalink Reply by SJC on July 20, 2008 at 11:01am: We have good NetMetering laws in California, but it took a long time to get them. It started with PURPA laws in the 70s for wind and solar. Many conservatives hated those laws, they thought that they told utilities what to do and were socialist. Now many states are adopting good laws, which are an enabler to getting solar on more rooftops sooner.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Home Wind Turbine on September 20, 2008 at 8:45pm: ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Roy R on July 22, 2008 at 6:20am

» Legal Eagle (Guest Opinion)
Feed-In Tariffs
A Regulatory Tool
by lois Barb er
All across the country, whether
motivated by a concern for the environment,
energy security, job creation, the economy — or just a
desire to make a buck — Americans are looking
outside our borders to see what’s been fueling the
global growth in renewable energy. They are finding
that one type of legislation, in Europe and elsewhere
called a feed-in tariff (FIT), has proven to be the
world’s most effective renewable energy policy.
FIT legislation is in place in more than 40 countries,
states, and provinces throughout the world. The laws
differ in details, but share essential principles. They
require utility companies to provide access to the grid for
anyone or any group producing renewable energy , and
to buy all the renewable energy available at established
prices per kilowatt hour for a set period of time, usually
15 to 20 years. The prices vary according to the type of
technology, the size of the system and its location. The
increased costs to the utilities are paid for by adjustments
to all their customers’ electricity bills. In Germany,
this has meant an increase of about $3 a month for
average homeowners — about the cost of a loaf of bread.
A board is established that meets periodically to review
the policy and adjust the rates for new contracts.
Germany introduced this type of legislation in 1991
and it has made them the world’s leading producer
of renewable energy technology, creating close to
a quarter-of-a-million jobs. Renewable energy jobs
increased 40 percent between 2004 and 2006 alone.
Germany now has 1.3 million solar panels in place.
It reached its target of producing 12.5 percent of its
energy from renewable sources in 2007 — three years
ahead of schedule. Now it is up to 14
percent. The country has already reduced
its CO2 emissions by 18.5 percent compared
with 1990 levels, and is on track to
meet its target of a 40 percent reduction
by 2020. Dr. Hermann Scheer, a member
of the German Parliament who played a
key role in writing and enacting the law,
points out how FIT laws allow everyone —
people from all walks of life — to profit from
producing renewable energy. “New players
have stepped into the market who now no
longer have to ask the established energy
providers for permission to access the grid.
Only in this way can a breakthrough for
renewable energy take place,” Scheer said.
One-third of the solar energy produced
in Germany is from farmers putting solar
systems on their barn roofs.
FIT legislation has also made Denmark
and Spain global leaders in renewable
energy. Together, wind turbines in Denmark, Spain
and Germany represent 53 percent of the total
wind-generating capacity worldwide.
Until recently, this idea that has proved successful
in creating jobs and reducing CO2 emissions, while
handsomely rewarding investors. But it has received
little attention here in North America. Only Ontario
has a basic FIT system in place. But now, eager to
bring these benefits to their own states and provinces,
legislators are lining up to get similar bills introduced.
In September, Michigan Rep. Kathleen Law introduced
House Bill 5218, the Michigan Renewable Energy
Sources Act. It includes all renewable energy sources
without discrimination: hydro, wind, solar, geothermal,
biomass and biogas; sets 20-year contracts; and gives
“reasonable returns” on investment. The rates for solar
energy range from 50 cents to 71 cents per kilowatt
hour depending on the type of technology and the size
of the system. For wind, the rates range from 2.5 to 10.5
cents per kilowatt hour. Everyone who wants to participate
must be connected to the grid within two months
of their request. Any increase in price will be shared
among all utility rate payers. Promoters of the legislation
point out that over time any short-term rate increases will
eventually turn into long-term savings as utilities switch
from buying increasingly expensive fossil fuels to clean,
Lois Barber
Photo by Stuart Ha ywa rd
14 ENERGYBIZ May/June 2008

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Copy of GERMAN TOWN SOLAR PIC.jpg, 99 KB

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Permalink Reply by Home Wind Turbine on January 13, 2009 at 7:07am: That's interesting how Germany has used FIT, seems like all we need is a true Net Metering standard that is established at a national level. This would prevent all the utilities and corrupt state regulators from crafting their rules which are today, most of them, limiting the growth of home generation.

Home generation IS THE ANSWER, it does not waste energy in long transmission lines. It empowers and supports the economics of homeowners who deploy it. It adds value to their homes, makes green power, and ultimatelt saves them allot of money.

Of course, that's the problem, it competes directly with the interests of big utilities and corrupt govt. that they support. This why it's so important people get engaged and speak loud about Net Metering reform.; ▶ Reply to This