UP / Thumb of Michigan | soilnotdirt - 7/27/2026 17:40
Explain please. Net metering is my system.
Let me preface this by saying we have a array with a net metering contract.
When ours was installed, the utility was obviously invoved in the agreement. They weren't involved because they wanted to be, the Guv said they were going to be.
The actual cost of electricity on everybody's bill is a pretty small component. Theres's delivery fees. Taxes. The lineman needs to be paid. The billing department doesn't run for free. The utility owner expects to make a buck. Theres things listed on my bill I really don't understand- whats recovery cost?
Analyze your bill: lots of people with their hands out. Because it takes lots of people to get juice to you. Your net metering contract expects all those people to be involved in getting you electricity to you as well as getting your production out to the grid as always, you just aren't on the hook to pay them now. Someone has to pay them, so its coming out of other customers bills. Has to. Your utility isn't in the business of giving away freebies.
On a different note thats kind of unrelated: back when the net metering offers via solar first came to our area, there were 3 components to the deal. The utility, me, and the USDA. I met with the local person from the USDA side of the equation one day. In my opinion, the program was good but could have been much more effective had individuals such as myself not been involved. Instead, every school, library, road commission, police department, fire department, and municipality should have been the recipient. In that way, every taxpayer could be shown a benefit. There would not be any issues with tax credits, none of the potential recipients' pay taxes anyway. Each building wouldn't need to have an array, they could likely be placed somewhere on public land that had some extra room. Lots of ways they could have been purchased. I used to know the numbers, but it would have been less than what tax credits were going to cost. Anyway, the local USDA contact thought it was a stellar idea. She didn't have the form to make it happen, as there wasn't one. Would have had to go through the legislature to get a form made to make it all happen, and who knows how many years that would take. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.... |
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