What is net metering?

When an electric customer (whether a residence or a business) both uses and supplies electricity to the grid (from solar, batteries, a diesel generator, or some other device), sometimes electricity goes to the building, and other times it is sent out into the grid.  Net metering measures all the energy going in, and subtracts the energy coming out, and the utility bills you for the difference, or “net.”  For ConEd territory, net metering is governed by a document called “Rider R”. ConEd customers who use net metering can participate in Meltek’s energy-saving program, but face some limits on the times of year that they can enroll and ConEd provides somewhat reduced incentives to these customers because they already receive net metering benefits.