Is it possible to get ZERO electric bill?

[pmaru77]

How does this work wrt the electric company. Will my meter go backwards? Do I get credit for the extra energy I generate and not use? I think I read that you cannnot get much $$$$ for the extra, but get credit. I'm considering getting a gridtie system facing WSW (255 deg) that's my roof. I'm in San Diego and have mega space on that roof. I'm wondering if I can get at least half off my bill on a 2k system. We use around 500kwh/month. and the bill is around $100. We went away for 2 weeks and my bill for that month was $40 less than typical.

I read up on the SDG&E website and got a handle on how it works, kind of. Best savings is at peak hours 1-6pm in summer. That is when my panels are kickkin' butt.....seeing that they face west and it's usually very sunny then, more cloudy in the am hours. With systems around $2 a watt, it surely seems like the thing to do, especially with the tax break.

[Mike90250]

No. There are stand by charges, garbage fees, and all sorts of BS. You can break even on the electrical charges, but still have the "fees & taxes".

[pmaru77]

Yeah, I'm hearing the the elec. compay here is giving sh*t to solar poeple wanting to get cash back because they are making more than they use. I'd be happy with $0-$30 electric. I'm leaning on a 2kW system and diy it except for the tie-in. Being as I am home all day every day scratchin' my butt, I can put myself to work and make the system more valuable....and cost effective. I'm reading that I may have to have qualified installation to get tax relief though....or have a qual/inst sign it off for a fee.

[Sunking]

You are not entitled to anything.

[pmaru77]

You are not entitled to anything.

I'm getting flashbacks from being on this site, and hearing/reading your crap responses. WFT? I guess the MSEE short circuited your brain.

[Mike90250]

You are not entitled to anything.

Everybody is entitled to a free trip around the sun once a year.

[Ian S]

I'm getting flashbacks from being on this site, and hearing/reading your crap responses. WFT? I guess the MSEE short circuited your brain.

There's an Ignore List under your settings that you may find useful.

[russ]

I'm getting flashbacks from being on this site, and hearing/reading your crap responses. WFT? I guess the MSEE short circuited your brain.

Last chance - straighten up and fly right or be history.

Like Sunking said - you are not entitled to anything (except Mike's free trip annually).

You live in society then you go along with the rules.

[pmaru77]

Last chance - straighten up and fly right or be history.

Like Sunking said - you are not entitled to anything (except Mike's free trip annually).

You live in society then you go along with the rules.

Would you care to explain sunkings post to the thread?

[inetdog]

When you produce more than you use, you are not entitled by law in most states or rational economics in any state to get money from the POCO.

If you want to be paid for your surplus, you should be willing to accept wholesale power purchase rates rather than net metering for the ebb and flow of your daily usage.
That would leave you much worse off than with net metering unless your system was grossly oversized in the first place.

Specifically under California's fairly generous Net Metering law, you are not entitled to any cash back for over production at the end of each 12 month accounting cycle.

[pmaru77]

When you produce more than you use, you are not entitled by law in most states or rational economics in any state to get money from the POCO.

If you want to be paid for your surplus, you should be willing to accept wholesale power purchase rates rather than net metering for the ebb and flow of your daily usage.
That would leave you much worse off than with net metering unless your system was grossly oversized in the first place.

Specifically under California's fairly generous Net Metering law, you are not entitled to any cash back for over production at the end of each 12 month accounting cycle.

Understood, that is why I'm looking at a 2kW system, and that is why I would be happy if my bill (electric) is between $0--$30. I don't need to get cash back. Do you think that the "entitled" comment was meant that I'm not entitled to get paid for surplus e? Oh, and I'm not on/into the Obama entitlement program. California was 47% republican in voting the last big election....that is a lot of people, just not as many as the other side.

[russ]

inetdog explained it well -

[gregvet]

We have a solar PV installer here that will put up systems to get 100% of usage including the cost of monthly utility fees if a client wishes. I think it is an unwise use of your installed PV dollars to zero out these fees as the credit we get back on excess is at wholesale rates so these fee costs are returned to the generator based on wholesale electric rates. I would rather zero out consumption as much as I can and pay the monthly fees.

[pmaru77]

OK, but I think entitlement is a pretty strong word to use in that context. I watch Fox (O'Riley) on occasion and that word is pretty much a swear word. LOL! And let's be honest, wouldn't we all like to be able to get something back for what we put in? Entitlement? Ok I'm done. Don't plan on it anyways.....just inquired. So bottom like is that you do not want to oversize your array, and having a system that can be added onto would make sense for resale.....or if you decide you want more energy.

[russ]

We have a solar PV installer here that will put up systems to get 100% of usage including the cost of monthly utility fees if a client wishes. I think it is an unwise use of your installed PV dollars to zero out these fees as the credit we get back on excess is at wholesale rates so these fee costs are returned to the generator based on wholesale electric rates. I would rather zero out consumption as much as I can and pay the monthly fees.

Get the best Bang for your buck. For different people that point can be grossly different.