Grid Interconnection Flashcards
7 cards from real NABCEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Grid Interconnection flashcards as text
Net metering allows a residential solar PV customer to:
Answer: Receive a bill credit for excess electricity exported to the grid, applied against electricity consumed from the grid
Net metering credits customers for excess generation exported to the grid, typically at the retail rate, which offsets future consumption charges on their utility bill.
A bidirectional meter used in a net metering solar installation measures:
Answer: Both electricity imported from and electricity exported to the utility grid
A bidirectional meter tracks energy flow in both directions — electricity drawn from the utility and electricity sent back — enabling accurate net metering billing.
Which regulatory body has primary jurisdiction over retail net metering policies for residential solar customers?
Answer: State Public Utility Commissions (PUCs)
Retail net metering is regulated at the state level by state Public Utility Commissions; FERC only has jurisdiction over wholesale electricity markets and interstate transmission.
'True-up' billing in a net metering arrangement refers to:
Answer: An annual settlement where accumulated net metering credits are reconciled against total annual electricity consumption
True-up billing, used in California and other states, settles the customer's net metering credit balance at year-end, with any remaining surplus typically paid at avoided-cost rates.
What distinguishes 'net billing' from traditional net metering?
Answer: Net billing compensates exported solar electricity at a lower avoided-cost or wholesale rate rather than the full retail rate
Net billing compensates exported solar electricity at an avoided-cost or wholesale rate rather than the full retail rate used in traditional net metering, reducing the financial benefit of exporting.
A solar customer's bill shows 800 kWh consumed from the grid and 1,000 kWh exported to the grid during the month. Under net metering at $0.12/kWh retail rate, what is their net position before fixed charges?
Answer: A credit of $24.00
The customer exported 200 kWh more than consumed (1,000 − 800 = 200 kWh), earning a credit of 200 × $0.12 = $24.00 to carry forward on future bills.
Under many state net metering programs, what typically happens to excess annual generation credits at the annual true-up date?
Answer: They expire or are paid out at a reduced avoided-cost rate rather than the full retail rate
Most net metering programs reset or cash out remaining annual excess credits at avoided-cost (wholesale) rates at true-up, incentivizing customers to right-size their systems.