Arizona has excellent net metering policies in effect all over the state. Net metering allows you to get credit from your utility company when your solar energy production exceeds your usage. Let’s say it is another beautiful,  sunshine filled day in the Valley and your PV system generates way more power than your home or business could possibly consume in one afternoon.  Well, with net metering you can get credit for the over production of energy and essentially use the credit from the stored energy  for power when it isn’t so sunny or at night.

Depending on you local utility supplier, your meter spin backwards when you produce more energy than you are using.  Another method to monitor consumption and production after your PV system is installed is for your utility company to come out and install another little meter next to your current one.  One meter measures energy in and the other energy out.  When your meter gets read, the reader notes not only how much you used, but how much clean energy your system created!  Each utility has developed its own way of crediting your account for over production and stored usage.

Net metering  benefits are maxed out at 125% of the total power your home or business uses in a given time period.  You will not get credit for any power generated over 125% of your usage so you can not  act as  the neighborhood utility company.  So while you won’t gain financially by producing too much, how can too much clean energy be a bad thing?  It’s not, but perhaps you didn’t need to invest in as many solar panels as you bought though.

In summary, Arizona has generous and fair net metering policies.  APS and SRP differ slightly in their policies because SRP, as well as, some  municipalities are not subject to the same state laws as APS.  You can visit APS to learn more or follow the link our favorite site for all up to date solar rules and regulations,  DSIRE.