Solar Net Metering for Members of The Energy Co-op

Solar panels are a popular choice for Pennsylvanians looking to power their homes or businesses with renewable electricity. Are you a member of The Energy Co-op? And do you have solar panels at your home or business or are considering installing them? If so, it’s important to understand how solar panels impact your electricity bill, carbon footprint, and membership. 

The Energy Co-op offers limited net metering to eligible members. So what does that mean for you as a member? 

Solar net metering consists of three primary components.   

• First, during a billing period, if your solar array fully covers or exceeds your monthly usage, you’ll be credited for the difference down to $0, but your usage balance will not go below zero (meaning you will not receive a credit for excess generation). In the case that your system generation does not cover your usage, you can work with a third-party retail energy supplier to cover the remaining usage with renewable energy. 

• Second, if at the end of a billing period, solar electricity generation surpasses electricity usage, the excess energy carries over to the next billing period as a rollover credit.  

• Lastly, at the end of a 12-month period, if the total yearly solar generation exceeds the total yearly electricity usage, you would receive an annual payment.   

The Energy Co-op currently only offers the first component, a reduction on your bill for any electricity generation from your system down to $0.  

If you are considering solar net metering and have designated your electric utility (PECO or PPL) as your electricity supplier, you may receive the rollover credit and the annual payment for your solar generation. However, there may be situations in which the best option for you and for Pennsylvania’s clean energy future is to remain a member of The Energy Co-op. The key question for members deciding between The Energy Co-op and their utility is how much you stand to lose in terms of the rollover and annual credit if you choose The Energy Co-op as your renewable electricity supplier. For example, if your solar panels do not cover 100% of your electricity consumption monthly and yearly, you would not receive a monthly credit or annual payment. And you would still be pulling some electricity from the grid which means your home or business would be using some nonrenewable electricity. Unlike net metering with your utility, as a member of The Energy Co-op, any electricity you require outside of the generating capacity of your solar panels would be 100% renewable.  

To learn if you are eligible, email our office at info@theenergy.coop and include the following information: 

• Your solar installer’s generation estimate for the solar array at your home 

• The size of the array in kW 

• Whether the solar installation is planned or already completed 

The Energy Co-op team will put together an analysis to determine the potential cost difference for members between becoming or staying a member of The Energy Co-op and choosing your utility as your electricity supplier. We’ll help you decide on the next steps for your membership with The Energy Co-op to ensure that you are receiving the maximum financial benefit from your solar panels!