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Yes. Not sure what you mean by feed-in tariffs? Do you mean net metering?
Back up battery storage is not yet worth while so LI has a net metering system, meaning you get a new "net meter" where all the electricity from the solar panels is fed into the existing grid. On the days you collect more solar energy than you use, the meter will go backwards and show up as "solar credits" on your bill similar to balance in a bank account. In winter months, if you use more electricity than collected by solar panels, you will draw from the bank of solar credits until it's empty and then you will be billed regular retail rates for excess. Once a year PSEG will pay you the wholesale rate (much less than retail rate) for any unused "solar credits".
PSEG will bill $11-$14 per month depending on how many days in the billing cycle for being hooked into the elec. system.
I see. Is the amount of credit you get set at the same rate as that when you draw power from the grid or is it a separate rate?
We were told we have too many ridges in the roof for the panels to be efficient. And we're not that different than a typical built-up colonial.
Unfortunately you need to have the right roof facing in the most southernmost direction. We just lucked out with a gabled roof primarily facing south, otherwise would not have been worth it.
...In Germany where attitudes are more in favor of renewables, the elec. Co. has practically gone out of business. So elec Co. lobbyist have lobbied for laws such as max install no more than 110% of last 12 months historical usage, excess solar credits gets sold back to elec. co at "wholesale rate" vs. "retail rate" to protect their revenue stream.
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How does it work in Germany, where "the elec. Co. has practically gone out of business." Who is providing/maintaining the distribution and backup infrastructures? I haven't researched the answer, but I suspect being Europe there's some heavy govt, ie. taxpayer, subsidies and involvement.
Also, can credits really be sold back at "retail rate" and be a sustainable economic model without govt subsidy? Wasn't that tried in Hawaii and led to big problems?
I see. Is the amount of credit you get set at the same rate as that when you draw power from the grid or is it a separate rate?
No you draw at the "retail rate " plus various taxes and fees (approx .21-.24 per KWH) which is on your bill and any excess is paid back to you once a year, the "anniversary date" at the lower "wholesale rate" of approx .04 per KWH.
The rates were supposed to be the same, but once the utility company found out they could be losing money, they heavily lobbied for the lower whole sale rate when buying back excess solar credits.
No you draw at the "retail rate " plus various taxes and fees (approx .21-.24 per KWH) which is on your bill and any excess is paid back to you once a year, the "anniversary date" at the lower "wholesale rate" of approx .04 per KWH.
The rates were supposed to be the same, but once the utility company found out they could be losing money, they heavily lobbied for the lower whole sale rate when buying back excess solar credits.
I see—and that wholesale rate is calculated after your solar credits are deducted is that right? If so, are the solar credits done as one-to-one for KWH you draw and you contribute?
I see—and that wholesale rate is calculated after your solar credits are deducted is that right? If so, are the solar credits done as one-to-one for KWH you draw and you contribute?
Solar costs have gone down, but now the big problem is inertia. Community solar is typically offered on an opt-in basis, requiring supporters to convince every individual ratepayer to go through the opt-in process.
That process can be an onerous one that discourages participation. In New York, for example, community solar participants have to consent to a credit check, sign a contract, and pay a separate bill for their solar credits.
Despite all that, now that solar is competitive in more markets, interest in community solar has the potential to grow rapidly. In fact, every US household could have access to affordable solar power through a community solar plan by 2025.
Yes, that’s 2025. The Department of Energy launched a new community PV initiative last fall to that effect, so don’t just take our word for it.
All Eyes On New York’s First-Of-Its-Kind Opt-Out Community Solar Deal
A new community solar program in New York State flips the script on affordable PV with universal 10% discount.
Solar costs have gone down, but now the big problem is inertia. Community solar is typically offered on an opt-in basis, requiring supporters to convince every individual ratepayer to go through the opt-in process.
That process can be an onerous one that discourages participation. In New York, for example, community solar participants have to consent to a credit check, sign a contract, and pay a separate bill for their solar credits.
Despite all that, now that solar is competitive in more markets, interest in community solar has the potential to grow rapidly. In fact, every US household could have access to affordable solar power through a community solar plan by 2025.
Yes, that’s 2025. The Department of Energy launched a new community PV initiative last fall to that effect, so don’t just take our word for it.
All Eyes On New York’s First-Of-Its-Kind Opt-Out Community Solar Deal
A new community solar program in New York State flips the script on affordable PV with universal 10% discount.
Seems like a gimmick. They are trying it upstate in 2 small towns that have plenty of acerage to put a solar farm up. Where are you going to find the space to put up a solar farm in Nassau that is going to power the hundreds of thousands of homes there?
Sounds like Mrs Obama's vegetable garden that was claimed by some to be supplying vegetables to the schools throught the nation. Better return than Jesus with the loaves and fishes-!!
Solar sucks unless you have a field to set up crazy solar farms.
That's the way to do it is on ground level because you don't need all those permits or installers. IMO solar is still for hobbyists cause of you don't know electric and are not handy you are likely going to get ripped off.
Solar car ports are cool DIY project if you are handy.
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