What is Net Metering?
Net metering, or Net Energy Metering (NEM), is a billing mechanism that allows solar panel system owners to earn credits for extra energy their panels produce. When you own a solar system that generates more energy than your home needs, the surplus electricity flows to the power grid. In exchange, you earn credits that offset your energy costs.
This means when your panels are not producing energy—such as at night—you can pull electricity from the grid using the credits you’ve accumulated.
A properly sized solar system can produce enough electricity to cover your home’s annual energy usage. With net metering, you control your energy costs, turning excess solar production into savings while ensuring a reliable energy supply year-round.
How Net Metering Works
- Peak Production: Solar systems perform best during sunny afternoons. At these times, they often produce more energy than your home uses.
- Energy Transfer: Your solar inverter converts the direct current (DC) produced by your panels into alternating current (AC) and sends the surplus energy to the grid.
- Meter Runs Backward: As excess energy flows to the grid, your electric meter runs backward, crediting you for the energy exported.
- Nighttime Energy: When your solar panels stop producing at night, you can use those credits to “buy back” energy from the grid.
Net metering ensures no energy goes to waste. The extra credits are applied to your power bill if you produce more electricity than you consume monthly. Conversely, if your system underproduces, you only pay for the difference.
Why Choose Net Metering?
With net metering, you can lower your power bills by earning credits for excess solar energy, reduce your carbon footprint with clean, renewable power, and enjoy year-round reliability by using stored credits during cloudy days or nighttime.
Go solar today and start saving! Everlight Solar can help you control your energy costs and enjoy cleaner, more reliable power. Contact us now to see how net metering can work for you!
