Net metering is a powerful tool for Oregon residents to control their energy usage and save tons on their monthly utility bills. Net metering is also an important term Oregon homeowners and businesses need to know when thinking of installing solar.
But what is net metering, and how does net metering work?
WHAT IS SOLAR NET METERING?
Net metering in Oregon is a billing mechanism that credits energy consumers for any excess energy they send to the grid.
With net metering, solar homeowners and businesses will only be billed for the “net” energy they consume each month. This is calculated by subtracting the amount of energy produced from the energy consumed.
This means that when the solar panels are producing more than the house or business is consuming, the meter runs backwards.
If the solar panels produce more energy than the homeowners or business consume in a month, they will receive credits they can apply towards future energy consumption. However, it is important to know that energy credits expire on an annual basis.
Energy credits are a 1:1 exchange for kWh used. For every excess kWh produced, you can apply that to 1 kWh used in another month.
Estimate your total savings, payments, and total energy usage with our FREE solar calculator.
HOW DOES NET METERING WORK IN OREGON?
Oregon has one of the most beneficial net metering policies in the US. All utilities within Oregon (excluding Idaho Power) must offer net metering to their customers.
For PGE and PacifiCorp, solar systems are limited to 25 kW for residential installs and 2 MW for non-residential installs.
For municipal, electric cooperatives, and public utility districts, solar systems are limited to 10 kW for residential installs and 25 kW for non-residential installs.
WHY IS SOLAR NET METERING IMPORTANT?
It is vital for Oregon solar customers to know about net metering because their system will often send excess energy to the grid.
The huge benefit of net metering is that it allows homeowners and businesses to make up for low energy production in some months by using energy credits earned in more solar-friendly months.
For example, when a homeowner is away from their house during the long, bright days of summer, they can bank and save those energy credits to use in winter, when the days are short, cloudy, and energy consumption is high.
DOES GREEN RIDGE HELP WITH NET METERING?
Green Ridge Solar takes care of all the net metering paperwork for our customers. We understand the confusion and frustration that comes with filling out endless forms, so we make the entire process simple and easy.
If you have any questions about net metering or other topics, contact Green Ridge Solar today.
TRACKBACKS/PINGBACKS
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