For homeowners currently benefiting from Net Energy Metering 2.0 (NEM 2) regulations, the thought of expanding their solar system can bring about concerns, especially the risk of being transitioned to the less favorable NEM 3.0. However, there’s a viable solution that allows for the expansion of your solar capacity without jeopardizing your NEM 2 status: implementing a non-exporting solar system.
Understanding NEM 2 vs. NEM 3
NEM 2 allows homeowners to send excess solar energy back to the grid in exchange for credits at near retail value. This arrangement can significantly offset the cost of power drawn from the grid, essentially storing solar energy in the grid instead of batteries. On the other hand, NEM 3 significantly reduces the benefits for exported power, offering around 8 cents per kWh, which is substantially lower than retail rates.
Why Consider a Non-Exporting System?
A non-exporting solar system is designed to ensure that all the power you generate is used within your home and not sent back to the grid. This is especially advantageous for those under NEM 2, as it prevents the system from triggering a change to NEM 3 when expanding your solar capacity.
How Does a Non-Exporting System Work?
- Technology Integration: The Zero Export System includes smart technology that manages how energy is distributed and used in your home. It ensures that the energy produced by your solar panels is consumed on-site rather than exported to the grid.
- Careful Sizing: At Infinium Solar, we meticulously calculate the amount of additional solar panels needed to cover your energy needs without overproducing. This precision ensures your solar system is efficient and remains compliant with NEM 2.
Benefits of Non-Exporting Systems
- Maintain NEM 2 Benefits: By installing a non-exporting system, you continue to enjoy the retail rate credits for your solar production without the fear of being downgraded to NEM 3.
- No Need for Batteries: Since the system is designed to avoid exporting energy, there’s no need for battery storage to capture excess energy, making it a cost-effective solution.
- Increased Solar Capacity: Expand your solar system to cover new energy needs, whether due to an electric vehicle, home addition, or increased general consumption, without affecting your agreement with PG&E.
Take Action Today
If you're considering expanding your solar installation but are concerned about the implications of NEM 3, a non-exporting system might be the perfect solution for you. At Infinium Solar, we specialize in designing systems that maximize your solar benefits while keeping you within the more advantageous NEM 2 framework.
Don’t let uncertainty stop you from optimizing your home’s energy efficiency. Give us a call today at Infinium Solar, and we’ll explain in detail how non-exporting systems work and how we can tailor one to fit your specific energy needs.