Renewable Energy - Toboa Energy Resources

Net metering is basically an offset for the power you're using with the power that your renewable energy system is putting back into grid, where you would either be charged or receive payment for the "net difference". All technologies are eligible. There is no limit on the amount of energy a utility can receive through net metering. Utilities pay customer-generators the retail rate for net excess generation from renewable energy facilities. Customer-generators producing energy from non-renewable resources receive the avoided cost rate for net excess generation.

Example

The average new home has between 100 - 200 amp service with 100% usage at 115v AC that would be about 23,000 watts of power or 23kW @ 200 amps. A wind turbine rated for 15kW, is enough power for most homes under normal load. That means a turbine at 35% operating efficiency normal output would be about 5.25kW or enough to offset the cost of power for a normal home. However, the reality is most homes use much less power about 25% of capacity on average. So 23kW x .25=5.75kW/hr at peak and 1/3 or 1.75 kW off peak! In Wisconsin with net metering that would mean a total of 45,900kwh x $0.10/kwh =$4,599.00 revenue from one 15kW wind turbine. The average life cycle of a maintained turbine would be approximately 20 years. So $4,599.00 x 20yrs = $91,980.00+inflation protection. This example data does not include the cost of the wind generator system so the return on investment may be lower.

Not everyone will experience the exact numbers stated, but it does show how wind energy can make sense when applied. As shown, an initial investment in a private wind turbine system can both help our environment and pay a dividend back to the owner. Depending upon the kilowatt size of turbine and the time to allow for return on investment calculations can change.

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