 Net metering (or net energy metering, NEM) is an electricity billing mechanism that allows

consumers who generate some or all of their own electricity to use that electricity anytime,
instead of when it is generated.
 This is particularly important with renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which are
non-dispatchable (when not coupled to storage). Monthly net metering allows consumers to
use solar power generated during the day at night, or wind from a windy day later in the
month. Annual net metering rolls over a net kilowatt-hour (kWh) credit to the following
month, allowing solar power that was generated in July to be used in December, or wind
power from March in August.
 Net metering policies can vary significantly by country and by state or province: if net
metering is available, if and how long banked credits can be retained, and how much the
credits are worth (retail/wholesale).
 Most net metering laws involve monthly rollover of kWh credits, a small monthly connection
fee require a monthly payment of deficits (i.e. normal electric bill), and annual settlement of
any residual credit. Net metering uses a single, bi-directional meter and can measure the
current flowing in two directions. Net metering can be implemented solely as an accounting
 Grid Connected Net Metering

 Connecting solar panels together to make larger array’s for connecting directly to the local
power grid enables you to engage in one of the most advantageous parts of generating your
own electricity:
 Net Metering or Net Billing. If during a sunny day more electricity is produced by your solar
PV system then you use or consume, this excess solar power is delivered back to the utility
grid with the effect of rotating your electric meter backwards.
 When this happens you will normally be given credits by the local power company for the
amounts of electricity produced by your grid connected PV system.
 If during the billing period you use or consume more electrical energy than you generate, you
are billed for the “net amount” of electricity consumed as you would be normally.
 If, however, you generate more solar energy than you consume, you are credited for the “net
amount” of electricity generated which may be either a reduction in your monthly electricity
bill or a positive repayment directly to you or the account holder.
 When installing a PV system, if net metering is available by your local electricity

company, you may be required to install a new second electrical meter instead of using a

single electricity meter that spins in both directions.

 This new meter allows for a measurement of net energy consumption, both entering and

leaving the system and would be used to reduce your electricity bill.

 However, each electrical utility company has its own policy regarding the buying back of

energy generated by your own small solar power station.

 While net metering is the ideal way to resell your solar generated excess power, some

companies buy-back energy at a lower wholesale rate than the electricity you consume

from the same power company.

 This means that you may need to generate more solar power than you would normally

consume just to break even.

 Advantages

 Systems such as Net Metering and Feed-in Tariff which are offered by some system operators,
can offset a customers electricity usage costs. In some locations though, grid technologies
cannot cope with distributed generation feeding into the grid, so the export of surplus
electricity is not possible and that surplus is earthed.
 Grid-connected PV systems are comparatively easier to install as they do not require a battery
system.
 Grid interconnection of photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems has the advantage of
effective utilization of generated power because there are no storage losses involved.
 A photovoltaic power system is carbon negative over its lifespan, as any energy produced over
and above that to build the panel initially offsets the need for burning fossil fuels. Even though
the sun doesn't always shine, any installation gives a reasonably predictable average reduction
in carbon consumption.
 Disadvantages

 Grid-connected PV can cause issues with voltage regulation. The traditional grid
operates under the assumption of one-way, or radial, flow. But electricity injected into
the grid increases voltage, and can drive levels outside the acceptable bandwidth of
±5%.
 Grid-connected PV can compromise power quality. PV’s intermittent nature means rapid
changes in voltage. This not only wears out voltage regulators due to frequent adjusting,
but also can result in voltage flicker.
 Connecting to the grid poses many protection-related challenges. In addition to
islanding, as mentioned above, too high levels of grid-connected PV result in problems
like relay desensitization, nuisance tripping, interference with automatic reclosers, and
ferroresonance.
 Hybrid power system

Hybrid systems, as the name implies, combine two or more modes of electricity generation
together, usually using renewable technologies such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind
turbines. Hybrid systems provide a high level of energy security through the mix of generation
methods, and often will incorporate a storage system (battery, fuel cell) or small fossil fueled
generator to ensure maximum supply reliability and security.

Hybrid renewable energy systems are becoming popular as stand-alone power systems for
providing electricity in remote areas due to advances in renewable energy technologies and
subsequent rise in prices of petroleum products. A hybrid energy system, or hybrid power,
usually consists of two or more renewable energy sources used together to provide increased
system efficiency as well as greater balance in energy supply.
 This would create more output from the wind turbine during the winter, whereas
during the summer, the solar panels would produce their peak output. Hybrid energy
systems often yield greater economic and environmental returns than wind, solar,
geothermal or trigeneration stand-alone systems by themselves.