Net metering available statewide
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Science Writer
Hawai'i residents with small alternative energy systems can now hook up to the power grid on all islands, running their electric meters backward when they have excess power and buying power normally when they don't.
But only a handful of homeowners has signed up for "net metering." Electric companies report there is one system each on O'ahu, Maui, Hawai'i and Kaua'i, with several other permits being processed.
Energy conservation groups and alternative energy supporters succeeded this year in getting legislative approval for small-scale net metering. While some states allow considerably more, in Hawai'i the total amount of net-metered power is limited to half a percent of a power company's peak load. Renewable systems are limited to 10 kilowatts or smaller.
Power companies in the past have opposed the concept, in part because it means other customers subsidize the net-metering folks.
When the meters run backward, the power company is effectively buying power at the same price for which it sells power — without getting repaid for the cost of its utility grid, maintenance, billing and other services. Most independent power producers are paid a fraction of what the utility charges its customers.
But net metering, as much as anything else, is an incentive for further development of alternative power technologies, and a demonstration that they work.
"Customers who can take advantage of our net-energy-metering program will help decrease our dependency on fossil fuels, raise awareness about renewable energy and serve as visible examples to others in our community," said Alton Miyamoto, director of administration at Kaua'i Electric, which launched its net-metering program a month ago and in November signed up its first customer.
On the Big Island, HEI signed up its first net-metered system during the summer.
While net metering is available for virtually any kind of renewable energy system, all the ones signed up to date have been solar photovoltaic systems: homes set up with big solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. Windmills, hydroelectric plants, biomass generators and certain hybrid systems also qualify.
There are far more off-the-grid homes in Hawai'i that are not net metered, and won't be anytime soon. That is because renewable systems still make the most economic sense when they're far from utility poles.
Alternative energy systems can produce sufficient power, but are generally more expensive than hooking up to commercial power. In certain situations, though, they make economic sense. One of those situations is for homes in areas without regular electrical service.
If it is going to cost tens of thousands of dollars to bring utility poles and power lines to a lot, it can make more sense to put in a system.
Hawaiian Electric energy specialist Art Seki said the company expects the demand for net-metering hookups to grow slowly.
Those who live near power lines can benefit in several ways from net metering. Residents do not have to store power in expensive batteries for times when the sun doesn't shine; they can just dump it onto the grid when they have extra and use commercial power when they are short.
And they do not need to size their systems to meet every possible demand. One of the chores for those on small alternative power systems is managing their use. For example, residents often cannot run washing machines, computers and electric saws at the same time without overload-ing the system. With net metering, if a resident's use spikes, the power comes down the line from the utility.
Customers seeking to hook up to the utility lines must meet a series of requirements, including ensuring their power meets the standards of the utility and that it can be readily isolated from the utility lines when the lines are being serviced.
Reach Jan TenBruggencate at jant@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 245-3074.
