Solar Energy Supply

Net Metering

Each SES solar system is a combination of technological and economical solutions designed to eliminate the electric bill for a home or business. SES's solar systems stay connected to the utility grid—no batteries necessary—to take advantage of Louisiana's Net Metering law. This law requires public utilities to credit renewable energy producers at the “retail rate” for the electricity they send out to the grid.

Net metering is designed to reduce demand during long hot summer days when energy demand is heaviest, while providing energy credits that allow solar producers to reduce or eliminate their annual electric bill.

Under Net Metering, a benefit of deregulation of the energy system, the utility credits solar energy producers for any surplus electricity they send out to the grid. On sunny days the electric meter spins backwards and the solar system earns credit for the energy at the utility’s retail energy rates. At night or on rainy days, the grid provides the power and the home or building taps into the credit the solar system earned while the sun was shining. The energy from the solar system plus the utility credit will zero out the net annual electric bill.
 

Steps to a net metered solar system:

1. The solar system is connected to the grid—no
   batteries necessary
2. The system produces surplus energy during summer
   peak demand periods
3. After the building or home uses the electricity it needs,
   the solar system sends surplus power to the grid
4. The meter runs backwards and the utility credits
   the solar energy producer at the time-of-use retail rate
5. The energy producer taps into the utility credit when it
   uses grid power at night and on rainy days.