Concerns about global warming are making more people aware of the need of environmental protection. The Indian government has initiated various programs to create a cleaner, greener India. Solar power adoption is one of those programs that generate energy from rooftop solar panels that gather and convert sunlight to power homes and businesses.
During peak hours, when the panels are exposed to direct sunlight, electricity output is high. However, electricity output is affected by a variety of factors such as location, total solar hours, meteorological conditions, and so on.
Households across India may get enough sunshine to satisfy their electricity needs during the day or at night, even on overcast or snowy days. Solar panels may last 20-30 years if they are properly maintained and cleaned on the rooftop.
If you’ve decided to go green with solar energy, you need understand the notion of net metering policy or method. Understanding this term and taking advantage of its benefits will ensure that you have reliable electricity whenever you need it.
What is Net Metering?
A metering policy, also known as NEM, is a billing and metering method that enables solar power users to get credits for the electricity they deliver to the grid. This regulation is intended to monitor and record the power transfer between solar panels and the government grid.
When solar panels produce excess electricity, users can transfer it to the grid. This extra strength may be reclaimed by the user anytime they require it. For example, during the night or a power outage, when solar panels fail to function, and so on.
When solar energy units are metered, the bi-directional power meter operates in the other way. Solar energy owners only receive invoices for their ‘net’ power use. This appears to be the most cost-effective option because consumers are not need to utilise expensive solar batteries to store extra energy.
Homeowners may make the most of the metering billing system by obtaining power credits for solar electricity they send to the grid. These credits can be used when their solar power production falls short of their energy requirements.
How Does the Solar Net Metering Policy Work?
Solar power systems are connected to the power grid via a solar meter and a customer’s or service panel’s main circuit. When solar panels create more power than a customer needs, the power meter sends the extra electricity to the grid. This operation flips the power meter’s regular direction. This is why a bidirectional meter is required to facilitate the metering setup.
The meter functions in both ways (importing and exporting power units) –
1) Determine the units of power purchased.
2) Determine the unit of electricity transferred back to the grid.
The solar energy consumer pays the net both ways.
Advantages of the Net Metering Mechanism
Control of electricity bills
Net metering provides users with an excellent chance to generate clean and renewable power during peak sunshine hours. They can create more electricity than they can use. The extra power is sent to the electrical grid, lowering bills and the expense of pricey solar batteries. The user must pay a little price for a bidirectional solar meter installation.
Low maintenance costs
Net metering systems are a more cost-effective solution than solar batteries, which require more maintenance and replacement expenditure.
Data Capture
Net metering keeps track of the amount of electricity generated, exported to the grid, and imported from the grid. This gives crucial and up-to-date information. The electricity bill created is the net difference between the two, taking into account any time-of-use plans chosen by the user as well as additional costs.
Financial benefits
Using a net metering approach boosts monthly savings on power expenses. Solar energy customers can earn a passive income from the solar credits they obtain. They can purchase grid power as required. The greatest aspect is that these monetary benefits last for the whole lifespan of a rooftop solar panel, which is 25-30 years.
Clean and green environment
Because solar panel installations are linked to the state’s distribution infrastructure, demand for traditional electricity sources will fall. This minimises air and water pollution from traditional sources.
Solar power generation and consumption create no air pollution or damaging greenhouse gas emissions. By transferring surplus solar energy to the electrical grid via net metering, one can alleviate the strain to satisfy power needs from coal plants, natural gas, other damaging fossil fuel-based sources.
Government Subsidies for Net Metering Solar Power Systems
Homeowners planning to install a net metering solar power system may be eligible for a government solar subsidy. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is giving subsidies to housing societies and households that install net metering solar systems for residential usage. The subsidy amount varies according on the size of the solar system. So, before installing solar systems, determine your property’s sun number score and the availability of subsidies in your region. Get confirmation on this from your chosen solar installer.
Conclusion
A net metering system is the ideal solar power generating system since it allows you to utilise the necessary amount of electricity while exchanging any excess power for money or credit. People do not need to install or maintain an electricity storage device since the bidirectional electric meter readily sends unused energy to the grid.
Furthermore, this technology supports pollution-free power generation, which has less negative consequences on the environment.
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