Net energy metering is a special billing arrangement for customers with renewable energy systems, such as solar electricity systems, that permits customers to get credit for the full retail value of the electricity their system generates. Under net energy metering, the customer's electric meter keeps track of how much excess electricity is generated by the renewable energy system and sent back into the electric utility grid, and how much electricity is consumed by the customer. Over a 12 month period, the customer has to pay only for the net amount of electricity they use from their utility over-and-above the amount of electricity generated by their renewable energy system (in addition to monthly customer transmission, distribution, and meter service charges they incur).

Editor's note: This photo is of the SMA inverters, all dressed up for their red ribbon cutting ceremony, at the Hebrew Academy in Huntington Beach, CA as designed and installed by HelioPower.