Net Metering.  Your solar electric system will produce more power than you need at some times—such as a summer day when no one is home—and less than you need at others—such as a winter dinner party.  As a grid-connected system supplies electricity to meet your demand, “net metering” measures that supply and demand.

 

PG&E will credit the total amount of energy your system produces over the year against the total amount of energy your household consumes.  Currently, if you produce more power over that period than you consume, PG&E will not pay you for the excess power and will not carry over your energy credits into the next year. Net metering on a properly sized system can reduce your annual electric bill to zero, though PG&E may still charge you a minimum service connection fee.