by Ben Higgins, Clean Technica | May 17, 2012

Ben Higgins, Director of Government Affairs for Mainstream Energy and REC Solar, writes for Clean Technica about “net metering" — an arrangement with a utility where producers of electricity are credited for the full retail value of any electricity produced but not used at the time of generation.

The bill credits can then be used to offset usage when the solar system isn’t generating electricity.

Net metering allows businesses and homeowners to more effectively manage electricity production and consumption, and significantly reduce energy costs.