Current experience with net metering programs

Conference · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:654082

Wan, Y H; Green, H J

Net metering is a utility metering practice that encourages direct consumer investment in renewable energy technologies. Laws and regulations that establish net metering practices now exist in 22 states. Net metering enables electricity customers with small generators to receive a higher value for some or all of the electricity they generate. This is accomplished by allowing the electric meters of such customers to turn backward when there is more generation than demand. It effectively allows customers with small generators to use the electricity they generate to offset their usage over an entire billing period. This paper reports on the current status of net metering laws and rules in the US. In particular, the extent of the net metering authority in each state is highlighted. Differing requirements for grid-interconnection have introduced significant variations in the actual implementation of net metering programs. Interconnection requirements from specific utilities are collected to understand how net metering programs have been affected.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 654082
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP--500-24527; CONF-980437--; ON: DE98005126
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
DISPERSED STORAGE AND GENERATION
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY POLICY
GENERATORS
METERING
NET METERING
POWER METERS
RENEWABLE ENERGY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
UNITED STATES