How Net Metering Works
Net metering is a program that is used to measure and value the net energy production of member-owned generation. At SVEC, net energy metering is an arrangement between the cooperative and a member.
The arrangement allows the member to:
- Install renewable fuel generation at the member’s premises
- Interconnect it with the cooperative’s distribution system
- Meet all, or part, of their electricity requirements by using renewable fuel generation on the member’s premises
The meter:
- Logs kilowatt hours when the member is a net user of electricity
- Credits kilowatt hours at the meter when the member is a net generator of electricity, resulting in a month-ending meter reading that represents net use
If the member uses more energy over the course of the billing period than they have generated, they pay:
- Only for the net energy that they have received from the system
- Any fixed monthly charges provided by the rate schedule: Schedule NEM-10 (PDF)
- View a sample solar electric bill (PDF)
Interested in Net Metering?
- Please call (800) 234-7832 or email us to let SVEC know if you are considering net metering in your home or business, to ensure that all requirements are met for interconnection.
- All net-metering inquiries and applications should be emailed to SVEC.
- Want to run your own analysis to see how much solar you can install based on your last 12 months of electrical use? We use the National Renewable Energy Laboratory solar analysis tool PVWatts.
Net Metering Information
Please visit the following pages for more information:
How to Get Started
Are you a member who is interested in net metering? The full interconnection process can be found in the Distributed Resource Integration Requirements (PDF), or by following the steps below.
All net-metering inquiries and applications should be emailed to SVEC.
Call SVEC at (800) 234-7832 or email us to provide preliminary information for net metering at your property.
When you’re ready, submit the Net Metering Interconnection Notification (NMIN) Form (PDF) and a single-line (one-line) diagram to SVEC. This represents a member’s official request to the cooperative. The second part of the process is to provide proof of liability insurance by signing our Liability Insurance Form (PDF) and to provide a current copy of your homeowners insurance declaration page showing the property address and liability coverage.
Once an NMIN Form and single-line diagram are received, an SVEC engineer will (within 30 days for residential and 60 days for non-residential) review the project to ensure it complies with all the requirements listed under either Residential Net Metering or Non-Residential Net Metering. The NMIN Form must be correct and complete before project review will begin.
SVEC will let you know if your project is approved for installation and you can move forward with constructing your renewable fuel generator.
Once installation is complete, resubmit the NMIN with Section 5 completed and/or with a passed county inspection report, along with the $50 net meter inspection fee.
SVEC will contact you to go over the project and get it queued with our field team for an on-site inspection and net meter exchange. Please note the solar array should not be connected to the SVEC distribution system until we can complete our inspection.
You’re finished!
For additional information on rules and regulations, please view the State Corporation Commission’s Order Adopting Regulations by clicking Order Adopting Regulations (PDF).
How Sunlight Becomes Solar Power
Sun to Solar Panel
When sunlight hits the solar panels, direct current is created
Solar Panel to Inverter
Direct current from the panels goes to an inverter, converting it to alternating current
Inverter to House
Alternating current sent from the inverter to an electrical panel distributes electricity throughout the house
Meter to Grid
If you produce more power than you actually use, the excess power is fed back into the electric grid, and SVEC credits your account
Additional Information
Please visit the following websites for more information about incentives and renewable technologies:
- DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, a source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.
- United States Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Program, which gives more information about cost-effective solar technologies that have the greatest potential to benefit the nation and the world.
- United States Department of Energy, Wind Powering America, which gives information about wind power, and a wind resource map for Virginia.
- For information about Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) please visit the Department of Energy website.