Solar Pioneer Program
Solar Pioneer Program Net Metering - FAQs
Through New York State’s Net Metering Law and LIPA’s Tariff for Electric Service, customers with Solar or wind systems are entitled to net metering. At times, a net metered customer’s Solar or Wind system may generate more electric energy than their consumption. When this occurs, the electric meter will spin in reverse. The excess electricity is returned to the LIPA system. At the end of each month, the net metered customer is billed only for the net consumption, that is, the amount of electricity consumed, less the amount of electricity produced. This is called “net metering.” Your meter is currently spinning in the "Consumption" mode. To spin your meter backwards due to PV, we need to reverse the dials direction to simulate a reversing meter.
- Can I use my existing meter to take advantage of net metering?
- As a Net Metered Customer, How Will LIPA Bill Me?
- What If My PV System Generates More Energy Than What I Consume?
- Net Metering for Time-of-Use Customers
Can I use my existing meter to take advantage
of net metering?
The standard kilowatt-hour meter used for residential customers
will be replaced with a "net meter", which accurately registers
the flow of electricity in either direction. This means the
'netting' process associated with net metering happens automatically-the
meter spins forward (in the normal direction) when the consumer
needs more electricity than is being produced, and spins backward
when the consumer is producing more electricity than is needed
in the house or building.
As a Net Metered Customer, How Will LIPA Bill
Me?
Net metered customers are billed on a monthly basis. Balanced
Billing customers who become net metered customers will be removed
from Balanced Billing and billed on a monthly basis based upon
their energy consumption. All net sales transactions are based
on a “contract year,” which typically begins with the date the
net meter is installed by LIPA.
What If My PV System Generates More Energy
Than What I Consume From LIPA?
During the month, if a net metered customer generates more energy
from their PV system than is consumed from LIPA, the customer
is billed for the daily service charge only (line and meter
charge) and the excess generation in kilowatt hours (credits)
is placed in an “energy bank”. Energy from the bank can be withdrawn
in subsequent months to reduce the net metered customer's billed
consumption during the contract year.
Net Metering for Time-of-Use Customers
Net metering is available for Time-of-Use customers. Any
excess generation in kilowatt hours is credited to an
"energy bank" for the Time-of-Use period in which the excess
generation was produced. For example, excess generation
produced during the "Peak" period will be credited to the
"Peak" period energy bank, and can be withdrawn in
subsequent months to offset consumption during "Peak"
periods later in the contract year. Similar energy banks are
created for excess consumption during "Intermediate Peak"
and "Off Peak" periods as appropriate.
Please note: LIPA will verify the metering and billing of a LIPA net metered account, but recommends that net metered customers contact their PV contractor if their PV system is not performing as expected.
Questions?
Call the Energy Efficiency Infoline at 1-800-692-2626.
