10-30-2008, 02:36 AM
Regarding net metering, here's a clip from HELCO's website describing their policy.
"What happens to my electric bill if I generate more electricity than I use from the utility?
Billing is on a monthly basis and you are responsible for a minimum charge even if you export more electricity than you use from the utility. The minimum charge covers some of the fixed costs of maintaining your electric account, including reading your meter and billing.
Unused credit (excess net generation expressed as a monetary value) is carried over monthly for 12 months. Unused credit left at the end of each 12-month reconciliation period may not be carried over to the next 12-month period. With net energy metering, you can only receive credit."
In order not to donate money to HELCO with a solarPV system, one would need to size the system fairly precisely so as to approximately equal one's average usage over a 12 month period. I would suggest not installing a PV system until at least a year's worth of bills have been recorded.
"What happens to my electric bill if I generate more electricity than I use from the utility?
Billing is on a monthly basis and you are responsible for a minimum charge even if you export more electricity than you use from the utility. The minimum charge covers some of the fixed costs of maintaining your electric account, including reading your meter and billing.
Unused credit (excess net generation expressed as a monetary value) is carried over monthly for 12 months. Unused credit left at the end of each 12-month reconciliation period may not be carried over to the next 12-month period. With net energy metering, you can only receive credit."
In order not to donate money to HELCO with a solarPV system, one would need to size the system fairly precisely so as to approximately equal one's average usage over a 12 month period. I would suggest not installing a PV system until at least a year's worth of bills have been recorded.