Why is a bigger solar array not always better? Because depending on your goals and your utility’s Net Metering policy, a larger system might not be the right fit at all! It is vitally important that your solar contractor is aware of your utility’s net metering policy and that they factor that policy into your savings calculations and system design. Working with a homegrown Wisconsin solar contractor like Arch Electric is a great way to be sure you’re getting a design that fits your needs and situation, now and for years to come.
Net Metering is the policy that determines the credit value paid by your utility for solar production, and how that value changes if your solar panels generate greater more energy than you use. Depending on your utility, this determination will be made on a monthly or annual basis.
In other words, when you become a “net producer” you receive a lower rate for the energy you send back to the grid. So if you are in a utility that has monthly net metering, like WE Energies and Alliant Energy, and you use 850kwh in June, while your solar array produces 1250 kWh, you would receive full retail value for the 1st 850 kWh of solar production and a lower rate for the 400 “excess” kWh in that month. Our team will factor that into your savings projection no matter what system size you are interested in.
From a financial perspective, it is usually best to limit your excess production based on your utility’s policy. From an energy independence standpoint, this means that you may have to sacrifice some financial reward to produce all of your electrical needs, or to plan for future energy needs. You may also want to consider plans for electrification of vehicles or appliances and how that will change this equation as well.
It’s also important to know that every utility can have different net metering rates and structures. Knowing the differences between them and understanding how they impact the finances of your solar investment can be the difference between an 11-year return on investment and a 16-year return. That’s why it’s always in your best interest to talk with a trusted local installer who knows the ins and out’s of your utility.
173.6kw
$28,483 Annually
WE Energies
Net Metered
184,864 Pounds of Coal
26kw
$4,238 Annually
Two Rivers Water & Light
Parallel Generation
2,411,958 Smartphones Charged
23.8kw
$3,716 Annually
Alliant Energy
Parallel Generation
1,948 Pounds of Coal
197.6kw
$22,293 Annually
WE Energies
Net Metered
20,695 Gallons of Gas
149.5kw
$23,913 Annually
WE Energies
Net Metered
1.8 Tanker Trucks of Gas
123kw
Madison Gas & Electric
Parallel Generation
13,709,514 Smartphones Charged
389kw
$56,681 Annually
WE Energies
Net Metered
44,398,424 Smartphones Charged
133.2kw
$1,114,935
Madison Gas & Electric
Parallel Generation
14,727 Gallons of Gas
25.7kw
WE Energies
Parallel Generation
26,293 Pounds of Coal
26kw
Alliant Energy
Parallel Generation
28.86kw
WE Energies
Net Metered
43.6kw
$151,039
WE Energies
Net Metered
4,817,623 Smartphones Charged
73.84kw
$329,713
Plymouth Utilities
Parallel Generation
64.845kw
$21,442
WPS
Parallel Generation
133kw
$386,522
Alliant Energy
Parallel Generation
12,550 Gallons of Gas
26.6kw
$3,953
Alliant Energy
Parallel Generation
12,578 Pounds of Coal
128.7kw
$513,821
Manitowoc Public Utilites
Parallel Generation
13,964,512 Smartphones Charged
45.5kw
$275,531
WE Energies
Parallel Generation
4,679,952 Smartphones Charged
1.825 MW
$103,000 Annually
WE Energies
Direct Sell Rate Tariff
1,740,000 ton of CO2 emissions
388.8kw
$51,288
WE Energies
Net Metering
26,104 gallons of gasoline consumed. 22,789 gallons of diesel consumed. 256,673 pounds of coal burned. 3.1 tanker trucks' worth of gasoline.
388.9kw
$51,340
WE Energies
Net Metering
26,135 gallons of gasoline consumed. 22,815 gallons of diesel consumed. 256,973 pounds of coal burned. 3.1 tanker trucks' worth of gasoline.
299.3kw
$42,934
WE Energies
Net Metering
20,076 gallons of gasoline consumed. 17,526 gallons of diesel consumed information. 197,404 pounds of coal burned.
50.7 kW - DC
$10,329
WE Energies
Line Side/Parallel Generation (CGS-NM)
361,853lbs of coal burned annually
31.87 kW
$4,998 Anually
WE Energies
Monthly Net Metering (CGS-NM)
CO2 Emissions: 22.6 Metric Tons 2,341 Gallons of Gasoline
370kw
$1,053,732
Alliant Energy
Parallel Generation
401,786 lbs. of Coal or 44,218,770 smartphones charged.
389kw
$1,190,164
WE Energies
Net Metering
384,108 lbs. of Coal or 42,273,187 smartphones charged