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[Kathyann Natkie <knat AT sprintmail.com>]

Wendy wrote:
> Does your electric co. allow "net-metering"?  (Net-metering is when you 
> are charged the "net" total of power-used minus power-sent to the 
> grid.)  
We've been really happy with our net-meter set-up over the last 2 years. 
Utility companies have to accept it here now. Net-metering not as simple 
as you describe. When we produce the meter runs backwards, when not it 
runs forward. If we owe at the end of the month we pay the excess used 
(we have am/pm so we only buy at night rates unless cloudy.) Once a year 
they do a settle up. If we are ahead in production they buy out at 
wholesale (cheaper rate but since they buy daytime and we buy nighttime 
we both pay similarly.) Overall, the state rebated 75% of the cost of 
the system, we sold the "green credits" to a bundler for 20% of the 
cost. The remaining 5% is financed. With lowering our usage, we 
currently pay out 50-60% our old electricity costs for electricity above 
what we produce + payments on system. We get a service contract with the 
installment plan that includes annual check, replacements if needed, and 
removing/replacing panels once to allow us to reroof if necessary (for 
20 years or til paid off.) And we're assured we are supporting solar 
production.

Kathyann