On sunny days in San Mateo, California, solar energy provide more than we need. Then the meter goes backwards.
We feed electricity back into the power grid to serve other energy needs of the community.
Each month our electricity bill is $5.95, the minimum service charge, as we often generate more energy than we use.
Our last two full-year "true-up" bills in our 2,000 square foot home were $133 then $142.



"After years of serious envy of our friends' solar installations, we cut down 6 huge trees surrounding our house and installed 28 solar photovoltaic panels.
We have a net meter, so on really sunny days the indicator spins backward and we pump KWH into the grid. The system cost us $10,000.
We should recover our full investment in 4 years via energy savings and the sale of SRECs (solar renewable energy credits) on the open market.
We have a net lease agreement where the solar company paid the additional $16,000 to install and receives all the federal and state tax credits.
The company also pays for the maintenance and insurance of the system."