Net metering explained (finally)

By Gary Musser, Las Vegas

Wednesday, May 13, 2015 | 2 a.m.

NV Energy misinforms through its publicity campaign. Residents need to understand the truth about net metering.

Think of your bank. You deposit money into a savings account (and maybe earn a little interest). When you need cash, you withdraw some. That is net metering, in essence. Using two-way meters, solar owners deposit their excess energy into the grid whenever they are generating more than they need. The owner and NV Energy keep track of how much is deposited for future use. NV Energy takes the “free” energy deposited by the solar owner and “sells” it to neighbors who need it. Since neighbors use this energy, very little of the transmission lines are used. In the evening and times when it is cloudy, solar owners can withdraw some of the energy they have deposited. If they don’t have enough on deposit, solar owners pay NV Energy the going rate for whatever they use. In addition, solar owners pay NV Energy monthly for the two-way connection.

Since they generally don’t require much extra energy, solar owners help NV Energy, especially in the hot summer days. This helps avoid brownouts and allows NV Energy to avoid buying more expensive energy from coal and natural gas plants, helping to prevent further global warming. NV Energy encouraged solar usage until recently, but now it is fighting expansion. NV Energy needs to join the solar industry and embrace the future rather than fight it in our wonderful, sunny city.