NET METERING

  
NET METERING

Net metering is a system in which solar panels or other renewable energy generators are connected to a public utility power grid and surplus power is transferred onto the grid, allowing customers to offset the cost of power drawn from the utility. Examples of net metering installations include solar panels on a home or a wind turbine at a school. 

A grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) solar system may not store the electricity generated by rooftop solar energy systems to use at a later stage. If a solar power system produces more electricity than needed, in an area that is implementing net metering, the excess electricity flows back to the grid to serve nearby neighbours while the meter essentially runs backwards. 

These installations are connected to a special meter, which will measure the net quantity of electricity that the customer uses (retail meter).  The retail meter spins forward when the customer uses electricity from the distribution company, and it spins backward when the customer generates excess electricity (thereby “exporting” electricity to the electric grid.

(credit: Internet)