WHAT IS SOLAR NET METERING?

If you live in Illinois and install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on your home, there’s a good chance you qualify for the state’s net metering program. Going solar is already a winning strategy without this statewide incentive, but once enrolled, the value of your solar installation increases dramatically — helping you save even more money.

As you’ll soon see, net metering also ensures that you’ll always have access to electricity — even when the sun goes down and your solar panels stop working.

Once we help you enroll in net metering for your solar panel system, our engineers can connect your Premium solar panels to the utility grid — complete with a bidirectional electricity meter.

• During the day, your solar panels generate clean energy to power your home. Your system will automatically send unused solar power into the grid — in exchange for credits from your local utility provider. Your bidirectional meter reflects this outflow of solar energy.
• At night, your solar panels will stop generating power. However, you can buy the electricity you need from the utility grid. Your bidirectional meter now moves in the opposite direction, but instead of paying for this electricity out-of-pocket, you can use your utility credits to offset these expenses.

Note that with net metering in Illinois, solar batteries aren’t necessary. You’ll have access to power, day or night. Better still, this program allows you to maximize your savings since you can use your accumulated utility credits to pay down any future electricity statements. In fact, you’re only responsible for the “net difference” in energy bought and sold over the previous billing period. This means that with enough solar capacity installed, it’s technically possible to reduce your utility statements to $0.

Details vary by utility provider. So, if you have specific questions about net energy metering, schedule a free property inspection with Route 66 Solar today. We also specialize in solar financing to help you pay for a new system. Once installed, we also offer post-installation support and monitoring to ensure your PV system continues to perform as promised.