They aren’t just there for show. The panels are a small part of a larger revolution in how electricity is measured and managed. It’s time to introduce net energy metering (NEM). The system is a billing scheme that credits solar owners for any electricity they send back to the power grid. Intrigued? Are you curious? You should be if your utility bill makes more of a mess than an overcooked burger at a barbecue.

Imagine installing a Solar Power System. It will reduce your carbon emissions and lower your electricity bill. During the sunniest hours, you solar panels could be collecting more energy than what your home needs. NEM sends this excess energy back to the grid instead of wasting. Your energy meter literally goes backwards, crediting you.

You’re not done yet! In the evenings or cloudy weather, when your panels doze off, you draw power from grid. It is this relationship between the solar system and grid that provides you with power 24/7.

Imagine watts as your bank account. It’s like earning a penny for every kilowatthour you generate that goes beyond your immediate consumption. You, like all smart investors, want to make the most of your investment.

NEM is governed differently depending on your location. You can be giddy when you get your bill from some states. They have policies that make them the best. Some states will offer less important benefits, turning solar savings into a game of strategic chess.

When you are deciding if solar is for you, there will be terms like “net metering” that can throw your plans off. This cap limits customers’ ability to participate in the net metering program, usually as a proportion of the utility’s peak demand. Caps are the utility’s way to control the balance so that solar users don’t have too much of a financial advantage.

It is also important to take a look at the future of policies before deciding if you want to go solar. Legislation moves like sand, and what works today might change tomorrow. So, it is important for homeowners to keep an eye on legislative murmurs and listen out for changes in policy.

Integrating solar panels doesn’t only mean you can benefit financially. Who wouldn’t love to be known for being the “eco friendly neighbor”? Apart from the benefits of altruism, solar power can enhance your property value. A stylish array of panels might be more attractive to buyers than you thought, enticing them with the lure that they will save money on energy.

But, it is important to be prepared. If your system generates more power than it can handle, you may need to consider a different solution. Although it might be tempting to imagine that you could keep adding credits indefinitely, most credits do not roll over. They may expire within a few months, prompting you to consider your consumption in relation to production.