Free Electricity

Free electricity doesn't exist. However, electricity at next to nothing is very attractive. Purchasing a solar electric system is good for the environment and can slash your utility bills to $0.00. At the same time solar electricity energy generation can be an investment! Many solar power producers are selling "Free" electricity back to their electric company at this very moment through a process called net metering. They are receiving a 20% return on their investment in solar power and proudly contributing to the conservation of energy. It is the greatest feeling in the world.

Net Metering is defined as follows:

• Net Metering is selling your electricity produced by a solar system on your home back to the electric company.
• Net Metering occurs when your meter spins backwards as solar electricity is being produced, storing the excess energy on the grid.
• Once energy is actually being consumed, your meter spins forward to collect the energy that has been saved on your electric company grid (Source: CEC Consumer Guide 2003).
• For the energy that you do not use, the electric company will compensate you.

There are a few things to watch out for when choosing to invest in Free Electricity solar energy.

• You must conserve your energy usage to make sure that you don't exceed kwh of solar energy produced.
• If you do exceed the amount of energy produced or saved, you are charged regular rates for electricity provided by your electric company.
• You must watch your solar energy production. Keep track of how much energy is produced by your system daily.
• Check your utility bill every month to make sure that you are credited or reimbursed for any extra energy production.
• To control your use of electricity, you might consider using a Time of Use Meter to capitilize further on your investment.

Not all utility companies refund their customers in the same way for buying back Free Electricity. Some companies actually pay cash back for the excess power sold back to the grid, and others just credit their customer's for the difference of energy transferred back to the grid.