Solar Pioneer Program
Net Metering
Through New York State’s Net Metering Law and LIPA’s Tariff for Electric Service, customers with PV systems 10 kW or less are entitled to net metering. At times, a net metered customer’s PV 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 Energy from the bank can be withdrawn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
As a LIPA Time-of-Use customer, in order to net meter, LIPA
requires that you have a second, non-time-differentiated meter
wired to your service. Both meters will only be able to record
electrical consumption in one direction. The LIPA revenue Time
of Use meter will record only the energy provided by LIPA and
will be identified as the “sell meter.” The “sell” meter will
be programmed to record LIPA energy you consume utilizing the
appropriate Time-of-Use rate structure. The second meter will
be identified as the “buy meter”. This meter records the amount
of kWh energy that you have generated and are selling back to
LIPA.
If you install a second meter, you will be responsible for the installation costs of the second meter, which include the cost of the meter pan, meter mounting devices and all necessary equipment and wiring. You can avoid the installation and cost of a second meter by choosing to be on a non-Time-of-Use rate (standard electric rate). You must notify LIPA and request the change in rate classification, in writing, at least thirty (30) days before your Time of Use anniversary date. The transfer will take place on the Time of Use anniversary date.
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.
