Net Metering & What It Means To You

What makes installing solar panels such a great way to save money? The answer to that is simple: net metering. In fact, the best states for installing solar aren’t necessarily the ones that get the most sunshine - instead, it’s the ones with the best net metering policies. Let’s take a closer look at what net metering is.

Net Metering Definition: Net metering (also known as net energy metering or NEM) is the foundational solar policy and incentive on which the entire residential solar industry is built. Simply put, net metering is a way of using the electrical grid to store energy produced by your solar panel system for use at a later time.
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Why Does Net Metering Exist?

Net metering is designed for two primary purposes: first, to encourage the greater adoption of solar throughout the country; and second, because utilities–and the electricity grid as a whole–can benefit from the influx of low- to no-cost solar energy onto the grid. Solar energy can help balance the cost of purchasing electricity from other resources, especially during summer months when electricity is often the most expensive on the hottest–and sunniest!–days of the year.

How Does It Work?‍

If you think about it, your home doesn’t use that much electricity during the day, which is when your solar panels are the most productive. From 7 AM to 5 PM, you’re at work, the kids are probably at school, not much is going on in the house - so there isn’t a whole lot of electricity being used. So, your solar panels will be making a lot of electricity at a time you don’t really need it. Without net metering, all of that extra solar energy your panels produced would be sent to the grid, and you wouldn’t get anything for it! On the other hand, with net metering, your utility company will pay you for that solar electricity you send to the grid. Usually, utilities pay you back by applying an energy credit to your electric bill for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar power you’ve sent to the grid.

Those net metering credits can then be used to offset any energy you take from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing electricity - like after the sun goes down. This allows you to get the full economic value of all of the solar energy your panels produce.

In other words, you don’t have to pay for all of the electricity you use from the grid because your net metering credits will cancel out your future grid usage, which is what makes net metering so valuable!

If you are interested in solar or want Net Metering to start working for you then feel free to contact us here at Lifestyle Solar.

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What You Need to Know Before Adding New Solar Panels to an Existing System

Sometimes, you’ll outgrow the original solar system installed on your roof, and you might need to add some more panels to meet your additional electricity needs. Some common reasons to expand your solar panels are getting an electric vehicle, installing a battery, electrifying your home, or making home upgrades like an addition or a new pool.You may not know where to begin if you think you need more solar. Don’t worry - we cover everything you need to know about adding more solar panels to your existing solar system and if it’s always the right choice.

Why You Should Clean Solar Panels and the Best Ways to Keep Them Spotless

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your rooftop solar panels is crucial to maximize their energy production and prolong their lifespan. Dirty solar panels can significantly reduce efficiency and potentially damage the panels over time. By understanding why solar panels get dirty, recognizing the consequences of neglecting their cleanliness, and employing the best cleaning practices, you can ensure optimal performance and reap the full benefits of your solar investment.

Solar Panel Repairs and Servicing: Keeping Your System Working and What to Do When it Doesn't

If you own or lease a solar system, you no doubt did the math and figured that the energy generated by the solar panel system would reduce your electric bill enough to provide you with a good return on investment. This makes sense. In most states, solar panels can produce an ROI that outpaces long-term returns from other investments such as property or shares. According to Zillow, solar panels can also add about 4% to the value of your home over and above the monthly electric bill savings they generate.However, like any technology, solar panels require regular servicing and occasional repairs to maintain optimal performance. Without that, your solar system may not operate at its full potential, and all that nice math goes out the window. This can leave you in an infuriating position of having to pay both a monthly solar lease or loan payment and also a full electric bill until the system is fixed. When it comes to getting your system fixed, for most people, this will mean a simple call to their solar installer. However, things can be a little more challenging for those whose solar company is either out of business or is not responding to their calls. This is where many solar system owners have been left in the lurch, and their systems are referred to as “solar orphans”.If you have found yourself in that position, the good news is that there are now specialist solar repairs and servicing companies that have explicitly started to service the needs of solar orphans at a relatively low cost. In this article, we will explore the importance of solar panel servicing and repairs, the common issues that can arise, how often you should be servicing your solar system, how to tell if you have a fault, and how much solar repairs and servicing costs.