Quote:
Originally Posted by Ace
Here is the trick (learned this from an ex-enmax employee). If you get a solar system installed by enmax, they only credit you the usage charge (not variable fees) that you give back to the grid (they put on a new meter to your house).
If you happened to install it yourself what it would do is actually turn your existing meter backwards. This reduces your total usage, which is important because many of the fees are tied to your usage.
Basically Enmax installed = 7 cents (or whatever) credit
Self installed = 7 cents + variable fees
I'm not sure if there is a legal requirement to notify enmax, essentially you'd only be modifying the electricity in your home (past the enmax infrastructure)...
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I've looked into this extensively. It's against the rules to run your meter backwards, as the variable fees are still there. I could probably talk myself into that not being a big deal, but there is also a safety issue.
If your system isn't properly installed, you have the risk of creating "islanding" where your generation keeps a portion of the grid energized during a blackout. That is a potential safety risk for power linemen, and I'm not sure what woul happen if your illegally installed generation equipment hurt someone, bit it wouldn't be good.
All that being said you have a properly installed grid tied, anti islanding U/L listed inverter, I think it's very likely you'd get away with it, especially if you don't go nuts on the sizing of the system. (If your meter goes backwards in total during July enmax will notice)