Net Metering
Net metering is a billing mechanism that allows residential and commercial customers who generate their own electricity from solar power or other renewable sources to feed excess energy back into the grid. It credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid, effectively spinning their electric meter backwards when they produce more than they consume. This system enables consumers to offset their electricity costs and promotes the adoption of distributed energy resources.
Developers should learn about net metering when working on energy management systems, smart grid technologies, or renewable energy applications, as it's a key policy and technical concept in the energy sector. It's particularly relevant for projects involving solar panel monitoring, utility billing software, or IoT devices that track energy production and consumption, helping to design systems that accurately calculate credits and optimize energy usage.