Unbalanced electrical load

[LD1]

I am not "up" on green systems and alternative forms of energy, BUT....

I have been told that the meters dont actually spin backwards.

And it is usually because a SEPERATE meter.

Some companies will pay or credit you for that amount, others wont. IF they pay you, it is called "net metering". Unfortunatally, my electric company does NOT do net metering. THAT is the reason I have never looked into alternative energy, because the payorr is too long.

For example, a properly sized alternative energy system to attain a $0 bill, you would STILL pull from the grid in high demand times. (AC running, Water heater kicked on, cooking dinner), but the lower demand times, you put back on the grid to make up for it. My electric company would NOT pay me for this. So IF I wanted a $0 bill, I would have to have a large enough alternative system to handle my HIGHEST loads. But that means more $$$. And then when I am not using it to capacity the other 90% of the day, I am giving them free electricity

Another reason the electric companies what a "seperate" system is for saftey. If they have an outage or what not, they typically know where the power is comming from. But if you are tied in, it could energize lines and systems they are un-aware about unless your system is on a seperate meter.

So...IF I just go throw a solar panel on my room and tie into my house, they have no clue about it. Same for generators.

 

[ultrarunner]

I am not "up" on green systems and alternative forms of energy, BUT....

I have been told that the meters dont actually spin backwards.

And it is usually because a SEPERATE meter.

Some companies will pay or credit you for that amount, others wont. IF they pay you, it is called "net metering". Unfortunatally, my electric company does NOT do net metering. THAT is the reason I have never looked into alternative energy, because the payorr is too long.

For example, a properly sized alternative energy system to attain a $0 bill, you would STILL pull from the grid in high demand times. (AC running, Water heater kicked on, cooking dinner), but the lower demand times, you put back on the grid to make up for it. My electric company would NOT pay me for this. So IF I wanted a $0 bill, I would have to have a large enough alternative system to handle my HIGHEST loads. But that means more $$$. And then when I am not using it to capacity the other 90% of the day, I am giving them free electricity

Another reason the electric companies what a "seperate" system is for saftey. If they have an outage or what not, they typically know where the power is comming from. But if you are tied in, it could energize lines and systems they are un-aware about unless your system is on a seperate meter.

So...IF I just go throw a solar panel on my room and tie into my house, they have no clue about it. Same for generators.

My only experience is with the neighbors solar system... he's had it now for 2 years and showed my his electric bills... he did the install himself... permit cost $1800

Each month he pays a $5 standby fee and each month, even in winter, his meter spins backwards... that is why he put in an electric water heater and on the list for a Nissan Leaf...

Power company will not pay him a nickel his excess power... so he needs to use it to realize the most benefit.

His system has a grid safety interlock that required utility power to close a relay... no utility power, no power... he's in the dark till line power is restored.