Understand what solar net metering is.
If your monthly solar electricity production surpasses your utility electricity usage, you end up with a negative bill credit. That credit can be rolled over to the next month’s bill like rollover minutes on an old cell phone plan. This arrangement is known as net metering.
In most Maryland homes, this happens during the day, when solar energy is at its peak, but most appliances are not in use. Later in the evening, the home grabs power from the grid to activate things after sunset. This difference between what you send to the grid and what you receive from it is your net energy, which your power meter tracks. Thus, solar net metering.
How Does Net Metering Work?
When your solar system generates energy, that energy first powers your current energy needs: your refrigerator and freezer, lights, the AC, and any other appliances running. Anything not consumed is sent out to the grid. Therefore, your solar system installation will likely have to include a new meter that spins and tracks in both directions to monitor this.
Once the sun no longer powers your system in the evening or at night, the grid will supply your energy needs. At the end of the month, you can receive a credit from your energy supplier in Maryland if you have added more energy to the grid than you’ve taken back out.
Advantages of Solar Net Metering
While solar clearly helps you save money on utility bills by supplying some of your energy needs, the leftover energy still has to be collected to be useful. This could be in the form of solar batteries you draw from at night, or through net metering that monitors your remaining energy and balances it against later energy use. A simple alternative to expensive batteries that require maintenance.
For the community, supplying solar energy to the grid helps reduce strain on the system, so it operates more smoothly for longer. Moreover, everyone benefits when we minimize our carbon footprints by implementing clean energy solutions.
Are Solar Batteries Needed?
If you have a net meter, you probably don’t need to invest in batteries because the grid actually stores your extra energy. In the event of a natural disaster, battery storage would be beneficial, but it might not be enough to offset the initial cost and ongoing maintenance, particularly when you’re already investing in a potentially costly solar system.
Contact JC Solar Today!
If you have any solar needs in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and Pennsylvania, contact JC Solar, LLC. at 443-204-6551 or by email at eric@jcsolarroofing.com. Our solar powered products will help make your life easy, environmentally safe, and cost efficient! We’re conveniently located in Marriottsville, Maryland and proudly serve all of Maryland as well as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington DC. Contact us today!
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