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this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2025
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Solarpunk technology
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Do you just not know or did you actually look into it?
Spoiler, but you just don’t know. It’s legal in every state.
However, most states do have anti-incentive because it’s corrupt as fuck. Not all states, but where “net metering” exists, they don’t actually pay you for power you generate. You only get a credit to your bill. The amount varies state to state, and they don’t allow you to apply it to bullshit fees and infrastructure cost that are passed along…
I calculated it and it amounts to 22.9% of what they would charge you.
My system is well over designed, and I produce way more power than I actually consume at peak. I am interconnected, but I refuse to send power back because there is zero point. They would not reduce the bare minimum bill that I have, which is just baseline fees they charge me for having my house connected. I don’t have a bill otherwise because I’m self sufficient for the most part.
I would run an extension cords to my neighbor’s houses before I send money back to this regional Monopoly. Therefore, I just leave the main disconnect off between me and the grid.
For reference, I have a 36 kW system with 100 kWh battery set up. The amount of power that I produce is based on the amount of power that I use, including to charge batteries. I average 125 kWh Daily production and my higher production days are about 160 to 170.
Net metering is unfair to anyone who doesn't own a home. If you are connected to the grid, you are relying on it to provide energy when you aren't producing enough, so you should still pay your fair share of distribution/maintenance/etc.
If anything, they should pay you the wholesale generation rate at the time the energy is sent into the grid, not the year-round retail all-in cost.
In your case, it's great that you are storing enough energy for your own use, but there are plenty of people without any storage who rely completely on the grid at night, but then rely on their poorer, non-landowning neighbors to cover the cost of grid maintenance and energy production at more expensive times of day.
The point is to minimize the number or children who will die from the climate catastrophe.
Don't be selfish.
I'm talking about just plugging into an outlet. What you're talking about involves a hugely expensive electrician visit. With a small plug-in system you didn't need to involve the company because you're going to use everything you generate normally.