Net Metering

Many New Hampshire consumers with on-site renewable energy sources (e.g., roof-top solar) take advantage of net metering. Net metering consumers have special meters which measure the difference between the electricity provided by the local utility and the electricity produced by the renewable energy source installed at their home or business. The meter registers the flow of electricity in both directions and the net amount is used to calculate the consumer’s monthly electric bill. Net metering consumers on utility Default Service receive a credit from their local utility for any surplus electricity they don’t use on-site.

A net metering consumer can elect to participate in a Community Choice Aggregation Program. However, there are unique considerations that net metering consumers should evaluate before seeking to enroll in a Program.

• If the consumer’s kWh consumption is consistently higher than its on-site kWh generation, then the net metering consumer can participate in a Program without issue.
• If the consumer’s kWh consumption is sometimes lower than on-site generation, then the net metering customer can still elect to participate in a Program by allowing any ‘excess’ generation to apply against future months when net consumption is large enough to absorb such excess generation. However, if the consumer wishes to receive the cash value of net excess generation, which is an option under Commission regulations, a Program’s competitive supplier will not be able to provide such a payout.  Consequently, such a consumer would be better served to remain on Default Service with their local utility.