Net Metering and its advantages

All those appearing for Mains:  You can mention about this concept and its advantages if a question figures on Renewable Energy, how to make it cost effective etc. 

Let me explain the simple concept behind net metering. DO CHECK out the images for better clarity. Read on..

You have a solar panel on your roof. Suppose, you spent a sufficient time of your week seeing Humpty Sharma, Interstellar,outings etc. Extra energy has been generated at your place which you have not used. If you could send this extra power to the grid, and in return use it when you may so desire, it’s called net metering.

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So, technically ,  Net metering enables customers to use their own generation from on-site renewable energy systems to offset their consumption over a billing period by allowing their electric meters to turn backwards when they generate electricity in excess of their demand, enabling customers to receive retail prices for the excess electricity they generate. Without net metering, a second meter is usually installed to measure the electricity that flows back to the provider, with the provider purchasing the power at a rate much lower than the retail rate.

Advantages

• Low cost,easily administered method of encouraging customer investment in renewable energy technologies.
• It increases the value of electricity produced by renewable generation and allows customers to “bank” their energy and use it at  when necessary, this giving customers more flexibility.
• Net metering is a necessary policy to boost the growth of renewable energy.
• Giving customers control over their electricity bills – Net metering allows utility customers to generate their own electricity cleanly and efficiently. During the day, most solar customers produce more electricity than they consume; net metering allows them to export that power to the grid and reduce their future electric bills.
• Net metering provides substantial economic benefits in terms of jobs, income and investment in the renewable energy sector.
• Protecting the Electric Grid – By encouraging generation near the point of consumption, net metering also reduces the strain on distribution systems and prevents losses in long-distance electricity
transmission and distribution.