What is Solar Net Metering?

Solar Meter Enphase

Solar net metering is a question we get when discussing solar panel installations. When considering solar as a way to power your home, you will inevitably stumble upon the realization that you consume electricity 24 hours a day. At the same time, the sun only shines about half of that time. How can solar provide all the energy your household requires when it only produces during the day? The key to getting around this fact is called ‘net metering.’ Here’s how net metering works in most areas in Texas for a residential solar panel energy system without a battery-backup system.

Solar Net Metering

How Solar Net Metering Works

Residential solar energy systems can peak in production during the morning, midday, or afternoon. These factors all depend on the orientation of the solar panels. For example, if they face predominantly toward the East, they’ll generate the most significant amount of solar energy at some time during the morning. When they peak in production, they’ll produce much more solar energy than can be utilized by the appliances in your house. This surplus energy is sent back to the electric grid, ‘spinning’ your meter in one direction. Conversely, when your AC turns on to keep your home comfortable while you sleep at night—since your solar panel system won’t be producing at that time—that energy is pulled straight from the utility grid, spinning your meter in the opposite direction. At the end of your billing period, what is read by your retail electric provider is the net result of all kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity that flowed through your meter in both directions, hence, net metering.

Solar Net Metering in Texas

Most electric markets in Texas are deregulated, meaning that the utility companies merely maintain the local grid infrastructure and ensure reliable distribution to the areas they serve. Homeowners within these deregulated areas have the freedom to choose whichever retail electric provider (‘REP’) they prefer. This REP will be responsible for setting the billing rate and billing for measured consumption. If your home is in a deregulated market, you’ll be able to switch to a ‘one-to-one’ solar-buyback plan with a REP such as Green Mountain Energy or Reliant Energy. With a 1:1 buyback plan, your account will be credited for each surplus of kWh generated that gets pushed onto the electric grid at the same per-kWh rate that you’re charged for each kWh of electricity that you pull from the grid. For example, if, during one billing period, you consume 1,000 kWh from the grid and contribute 850 kWh to the grid, you’ll effectively only be billed for the net difference of 150 kWh. A useful metaphor is to think of the local electric grid as a giant battery that you’re able to pull from or contribute to at will.

What is Solar Net Metering

Full Offset System Design | Net Metering

A typical approach to residential solar energy design is what we call a full offset system. With a full-offset system in place on your home, you’ll contribute to and pull from the electric grid at varying rates throughout the year, but by the end of a full, 12-month period, the amount contributed will be roughly equivalent to the amount consumed. In other words, the net will be zero. The full offset system setup is an ideal configuration because it effectively reduces a household’s electric bill to $0. Doing so provides the greatest return on investment by offering a complete alternative to paying higher electric rates and hedging against future escalation of those rates.

Thanks to net metering in deregulated Texas markets, solar adoption doesn’t mean having to plan out electric consumption to coincide with the day’s high-production times. We’re free to use electricity as we usually would while our solar energy systems do their thing.  Want to learn more about net metering?  Sunshine Renewable Solutions is your Texas solar installation company.  We design solar panel systems with elements like net metering in mind.  Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Texas Plastic

Sunshine Renewable Solutions to Help Formosa Plastics of Point Comfort, Texas, Achieve Sustainability Goals

Formosa Plastics is a major producer of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride resins, which are widely used in various industries worldwide. Recognizing its role in environmental stewardship, Formosa Plastics sought to collaborate with a reputable sustainability consultant who can provide solutions to reduce its impact on the environment.

Sunshine Renewable Solutions is a leading sustainability consulting firm that specializes in renewable energy and environmental sustainability. The company has a team of experts who help clients identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and implement sustainable practices through solar power.

Slide
Follow The Build

Sunshine Renewable Solutions proudly partners with a leading Texas-based plastic manufacturer, embarking on a groundbreaking initiative to fortify its commitment to sustainability.

By integrating solar energy solutions, we're revolutionizing their environmental impact. Our collaborative efforts aim to construct a robust solar infrastructure, harnessing renewable energy to power their operations efficiently.

Together, we're spearheading a transformative shift towards renewable practices, demonstrating how solar power can drive industrial progress while prioritizing environmental responsibility. Sunshine Renewable Solutions is honored to work hand-in-hand with this industry leader, fostering a brighter, greener future through the strategic implementation of solar energy solutions.

Slide
Follow The Build

Creating The Foundation

As the foundational step in our partnership, the construction of concrete piers for the solar panel structure marks a pivotal milestone in our solar energy initiative. These concrete piers serve as the bedrock of support for the entire solar infrastructure, providing stability and durability essential for the efficient functioning of the solar array.

Slide
Follow The Build

Precision And Accuracy Are Paramount

Our engineering team meticulously plans and designs the layout of the piers, ensuring they are strategically positioned to uphold the solar panel array's weight and withstand environmental factors such as wind and inclement weather. We adhere to industry standards and best practices to create a robust foundation that guarantees the longevity and resilience of the solar installation.

Slide
Follow The Build

A Solid Foundation

Environmental considerations are taken into account throughout the construction process, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding ecosystem. Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy production to encompass responsible construction practices.

By establishing these concrete piers foundations, we are ready to start Phase 2, erecting the metal support bars. Enabling the subsequent installation of solar panels will power the plastic manufacturer's operations while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Slide
Follow The Build

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.

previous arrow
next arrow