Net metering is a way to measure how electricity flows between your home and the electric system when you have a renewable energy system, such as rooftop solar. At SEC, net metering is an agreement that allows eligible member-owned generation to be connected to the cooperative’s system.
When your renewable system is producing electricity, it helps power your home first. When your home needs more electricity than your system is producing, your meter records the energy you use from the electric system. Over the course of the billing period, your meter tracks the difference between what you use and what your system produces, resulting in a net amount of electricity used.
In Virginia, net metering rules are established by the State Corporation Commission and apply to qualifying renewable systems that meet size and interconnection requirements. Net metering helps ensure your bill accurately reflects your energy use when you generate some of your own power, while remaining connected to the electric system for reliable service when you need it.