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by traverseda 2308 days ago
Unfortunately that won't work in my municipality, as they only do that for larger customers. The problem is that it's not a "smart" grid, and having random customers pump power back into the grid can cause lines that they thought were dead to actually be energized during repairs. They need some way to shut off the buyback during repairs, and right now they don't have that.

Also I'm not sure that the amount of power I'd be putting back would actually pay for the basic connection fee. It would during the summer months, but during the winter it likely wouldn't, and seasonal connections aren't much cheaper.

I think that's generally the best bet if you can do it.
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toomuchtodo 2308 days ago
Most net metering arrangements require a manual power disconnect switch for your rooftop generation [1] for utility workers or first responders, and NEC requirements require inverters to shut down ("rapid shutdown") if they can't sync to the utility to prevent backfeeding power during maintenance (caveat: if you have local energy storage, the inverter will island and continue to provide power from local storage). I would encourage you to ask your municipality and their utility department what their net metering arrangements are; I would be happy to make such a phone call/inquiry on your behalf if you would prefer.

Is your utility Nova Scotia Power by chance? It appears they support net metering [2].

Everything I mention above will be cheaper than storage (which will start around $13k CAD).

[1] http://scitechconnect.elsevier.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/1... (AC disconnect in this image)

[2] https://www.nspower.ca/your-home/save-money-energy/make-own-... (Nova Scotia Power: Enhanced Net Metering)

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traverseda 2306 days ago
Thanks, the net meter looks to be a new pogrom. I wasn't previously aware of it.
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toomuchtodo 2306 days ago
Happy to help. Please share the net metering info to anyone who might be considering rooftop solar/distributed generation in your area!
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StarDucks 2307 days ago
This is exactly why many grid tied inverters like the SMA Sunnyboy range won't start or auto shutdown if it doesn't detect power coming from the grid.
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