If the PV system uses net metering, the utility electricity meter runs backwards when power is exported from the PV system to the utility. Net metering is a metering arrangement where any excess energy exported to the utility is subtracted from the amount of energy imported from it. Using this system, energy supplied to the utility from a PV system is credited to the customer at full retail price. Customers are usually not paid for the net excess generation, but credit may be carried over from month to month. This works out very well for systems that produce excess power during the high-insolation summer months but require supplemental power from the utility during the low-insolation winter months. If the PV systems and loads are perfectly balanced for annual energy production and demand, the result is a net energy bill of zero. However, some net metering credits expire after a certain period, typically one year. Net metering arrangements are not available for all PV systems or with all utilities, but they are becoming increasingly common. |
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FPL GUIDELINES FOR CUSTOMER OWNED RENEWABLE GENERATION GRID INTERCONNECTIONS The goal of Net Metering is to offset all or part of the customer’s energy use at the Customer’s metered service account. To offset your energy use at the retail rate(the highest rate) the output from the custormer’s renewable generator must be used behind the meter where it is connected. Any energy not consumed behind the meter will be sent to the grid and will be accumulated in a “bank” to be drawn on every month as needed to offset future energy used from FPL. In the last billing cycle month of each calendar year(December) all excess energy(accrued as kilowatt-hours or kwh) in the “bank” will be settled to the customer’s account as a credit. The kwh in the bank will be multiplied bv the “as available rate” appearing on the January billing statement to calculate the dollar amount of the credit. Since the “as available rate” is variable and is generally less than the retail rate, we advise customers to INSTALL A RENEWABLE GENERATION SYSTEM THAT PRODUCES UP TO THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THE CUSTOMER USES IN A YEAR. |
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