GOING SOLAR?     NET ENERGY METERING – WHAT’S CHANGING AND HOW MUCH WILL IT COST YOU?

Sometime between now and June 30, 2017 SCE will transition to the next iteration of the solar program called Net Energy Metering.  Net Energy Metering or N.E.M.  is the program that allows solar customers to sell the energy they produce to SCE for a one-for-one credit. The credits can be used anytime the solar customer need additional energy.

Example:  a solar home produces more energy than it needs during the day and that extra energy is sent back to the grid. The solar customer receives a credit for a kilowatt hour of energy and uses that credit to buy back a kilowatt hour of energy at night when their solar panels are not producing energy.

The same holds true for seasonal needs such as summer when most homes require more energy.  SCE gets to use the energy produced on a solar home and the solar customer gets to use SCE just like a battery.  But the rules for that relationship will be changing.  The question is, What will this mean for homeowners going solar after the transitions? One thing is for certain, going solar after the transition to Net Energy Metering 2.0 (SCE’s new program) will cost solar customers more per month to be connected to the grid.  Here’s a modeled summary of what to expect in terms of additional cost after June 30, 2017 (or sooner see below).

NET ENERGY METERING 1.0 vs. NET ENERGY METERING 2.0 Comparison.  Long Term Costs

SCE’s Transition Timing – How to get the better (older) rate structure

When will the transition to NEM 2.0 happen? There is no firm date for the transition because timing is based on how many SCE customers go solar between now and June 30, 2017. What we are seeing is that the transition can happen as early as May 1, 2017 but will not be later than June 30, 2017. Also, new installations need to be permitted, fully functional, and all SCE paperwork needs to be completed prior to the transition date to be grandfathered in to the old rules. Getting started sooner is always advisable due to the last minute rush that we’ve seen during other transitions. Lastly, we’re seeing a solar panel shortage on more popular panels. So waiting could put you into a lesser quality solar panel if you want to get in under the old rules.

To get started to day, please contact us for a free quote and home energy assessment.