Increasing access to solar panels, cutting electricity prices, and slashing pollution – net metering can do all three. Photo: EcoPhotography
If you’ve ever heard the term “net metering” and had no idea what it meant, you’re not alone. Here are three things you need to know about this state program and how it can save you, and every other New England family, money while cutting toxic pollution. So, what is net metering and how does it work? Let’s dive in.
1. Net Metering is a State Policy for Solar Panel Owners
This policy allows solar panel owners to essentially sell their extra energy back to our electricity grid. Panels can produce more electricity than a home or business needs. Owners could store that energy in batteries for future use. With net metering, they can also send the energy to our electricity grid for credits that offset future bills. Net metering programs help businesses and homeowners buffer the upfront cost of solar panels by saving even more on their electricity bills down the line.
2. This Policy Saves Everyone Money, Even If You Don’t Have Solar Panels
Adding more sources of electricity to our grid, especially clean sources like solar power, helps manage demand. The more solar panel owners send their excess energy to the grid, the more solar power the grid can send to the rest of us. Yes, even those of us who don’t own solar panels.
During peak electricity demand, like heat waves, net metering can flood the grid with solar power generated by rooftop panels. That means we don’t have to turn to the most expensive, dirty power plants in times of extra need.
Not to mention, electricity prices in New England are so high because of our dependence on price-volatile fossil fuels. The more solar we have in the mix, the cheaper our electricity bills get.
3. Net Metering Cuts Planet-Warming Pollution
Fossil fuels aren’t just expensive, they’re also dirty. Burning these fuels to generate electricity releases carbon pollution that overheats our planet, leading to worsening storms, air pollution, and so much more.
With more solar power in our electricity mix, we can stop being so dependent on volatile, outdated fuels. Not to mention, getting energy from your neighbor’s house means you avoid the pollution associated with energy sent from dirty power plants farther away.
The Future of Net Metering
Wouldn’t you rather have price-stable, clean, home-grown energy? Net metering can play a part in helping make that vision a reality for everyone. That’s why we need to stand strong on these types of customer-first policies, so we can all have the cheaper, cleaner, more stable energy we deserve.
An earlier version of this blog was published in 2018.
