Solar Installations
Are you thinking of installing solar panels or another renewable energy source at home? If so, you will want to check out our net metering requirements. Net metering allows members to install renewable energy systems to generate electricity when the sun is shining and utilize power from MEC when it is not. We do this by installing a “net meter” which is capable of tracking forward rotation (when you are using power from MEC) and reverse rotation (when you are generating more than you are consuming). Each new system must conform to MEC’s Net Metering and Distributed Generation Policy which lays out all of the requirements for connecting a renewable energy generating system to the Cooperative’s grid.
Below you will find links to the related policy and our Net Metering Agreement.
Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Any time you plan to connect a power generation source capable of exporting excess power back to the grid, you must request and receive approval to interconnect your generation system to MEC’s electrical distribution system. This applies to wind, solar, hydropower or any other type of power generation system that can feed power onto MEC’s lines.
Members may install a power generation system sufficient to replace up to 100% of their annual energy consumption. The following size (nameplate generating capacity) limits shall apply:
- Up to 10 KW (AC) – upon approval by MEC Representative
- Above 10 KW (AC) up to 50 KW (AC) – upon approval by MEC Board of Directors
- In no case will the allowable nameplate generating capacity rating exceed 50 kW
Yes. Traditional bills only report the amount of energy (kWh) consumed at your meter during the billing period. When your net meter is set up, your billing statement will show the amount of energy you consume (consumption), the amount of energy you sent back (generation), and the net of the two amounts (net), for which you are billed.
When you produce more electricity than you consume, the excess energy you generate and send back through the meter will appear on your bill under the “Generated” line of the usage details for the net meter. If the amount in the Generated line exceeds the amount in the Consumed line, you will be billed nothing ($0) for energy (kWh) and the Net Usage amount will be displayed as a negative (-) number. Following the billing, any amount showing up as a negative number if the Net Usage line will be tranfered to your Net Meter Bank for future use.
Yes. You will receive an electric bill from MEC as long as you are connected to MEC’s electric grid. This bill will include a monthly base charge and may include a peak charge (if applicable).
Maybe. The peak charge only applies to energy used between 7 AM – 10 M and 6 PM – 9 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays). If at any time during these hours in a given billing period, you consume more energy than you generate, you will incur a peak charge.
Your inverter will record how much energy is produced at the point of generation (i.e. solar array). That energy then goes into your home where it is consumed, with any excess energy then flowing through MEC’s meter and back onto the grid. The generated energy measured by your inverter is the gross amount, while the generated energy measured by our meter is the net amount you are sending back to the grid after it first powers anything that is on inside your home.
