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Utility FAQ Page
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- What
happens to excess power generated
by a wind system?
There has been extensive
regulations passed at the Federal
level to protect consumers and
"Small Power Producers." A
double metering system is used by
most states to allow the purchase
of power from the utility company
at the normal rate and the sale of
power to the utility company at a
slightly lower cost. The
purchase price for power varies
greatly across the nation and can
seem discriminatory or unfair.
The double metering system incurs
significant administrative costs
and can pay unfair rates for
power.
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Are there any alternatives to the
double metering system?
"Net-metering" is a much easier
way to measure the power consumed
or produced and provides greater
benefits to the consumer/small
scale energy producers. Any
excess electricity will spin the
meter backwards, allowing the
consumer to purchase power at the
price that the utility company
charges. This effectively
offsets the cost of utility
generated electricity. This
is of a special benefit to those
who use the wind rotor to generate
power that will be used
immediately, not stored in
batteries. If the consumer
is not using the power provided by
the rotor, it will go to waste;
the "net-metering" system allows
all of the power produced to be
either used or sold. This
system is also cheaper to install
because only one meter is
required. This system allows
users to take full advantage of
their investment and eliminates
the hassle and complication of
administrative activities.
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What can be
done to maximize the benefit of a
wind rotor system?
These systems should be designed
to bring the utility bill as close
to $0 as possible. To
further increase the efficiency of
the system, it is advisable to use
energy saving appliances and
efficient lighting, cooling and
heating methods. To
determine the scope of net
metering in a specific state,
please click
here.
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