Re: [pvusers] Re: TOU/Re: [pvusers] Introduction (fwd)

[Sherry Boschert <sherrybo@pacbell.net>]

Your description of TOU metering fits with my understanding of it, too. I
might add that I spoke with our utility (PG&E) yesterday because we had
requested TOU metering months ago. (They lost our paperwork.) The
interesting thing is that he said that 3 years ago, when we put solar panels
on our home in San Francisco, a couple of hundred PG&E customers had TOU
metering. Now more than 1,500 do.

One other note: We started leasing an electric car (the Ford Think) in Feb.,
and TOU metering is required for electric vehicle owners, I was told. In
this case, PG&E covers the cost instead of charging the $277 to install the
special meter. We also installed a timer, so that the car charges between
midnight and 6 a.m., when electricity will cost us around 4 cents per kwh
between May to October. And, like you said, our solar panels will be
producing electricity in peak hours later in the day for which we'll be
credited at a rate of something like 32 cents/kwh. (The rate schedule
changes to more of a flat rate during the winter months.)

The electricity we generate is replacing not only electricity we would have
purchased for the house but gasoline for the car. Gas tends to be more
expensive than electricity (I think), so we'll be recouping our investment
in the solar panels even faster. Not to mention, driving pollution-free.

Sherry Boschert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Renewable News Network" <rnn@rnn.com>
To: <pvusers@crest.org>
Sent: Friday, July 19, 2002 4:42 PM
Subject: [pvusers] Re: TOU/Re: [pvusers] Introduction (fwd)


>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Fri, 19 Jul 2002 16:40:18 -0400
> From: Renewable News Network <rnn@rnn.com>
> To: Don <unixsysadm@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: TOU/Re: [pvusers] Introduction
>
> I get it.  The TOU does not have any direct or necessary connection
> with the demand side solar grid-integrated system, which is on your roof.
> And yet, the billing arrangement will benefit you because you'll get a
> higher compensation or return for the solar electric investment.  Cool.
>
>
> "'I see,' said the blind man.  (But he didn't see at all.)"
>
>
> On Fri, 19 Jul 2002, Don wrote:
>
> > Thanks.
> >
> > I'm a newbie at some of this but here is how I understand
> > Time Of Use Metering ( TOU(M?) ).
> >
> > With Time Of Use Metering we are charged a different amount
> > depending on the time of day & time of year.  What the
> > utility company is trying to do is to encourage its customers
> > to conserve energy between the hours of 12:00 and 18:00,
> > particulary in the summer months.  So during that peak period
> > we would get charged substatially more for electricity.  The
> > off peak periods we get charged substatially less.  For this
> > to work in our favor we need to be net producers ( or break even )
> > during the peak period.  Then the utility will be buying from us
> > at .32 cents / KWh.  We can buy from them at night at .075 cents
> > per hour.  So very roughly for every excess KWh we can produce
> > during peak periods, we can get back 4.5 KWh at off peak periods.
> >
> > There is a special meter that the utility needs to install at
> > a one time charge of $266.  I don't know how they go about
> > monitoring the usage by hour.  I believe we can settle the
> > account for electricity on an annual basis.  If we owe money
> > we pay then.  If we are in the plus column then the utility
> > company keeps it.
> >
> > This is how it has been explained to me.  Hopefully we got the
> > whole story.
> >
> > Best Regards, Don
> > =======================================================================
> > --- Renewable News Network <rnn@rnn.com> wrote:
> > > Congrats!
> > >
> > > What does TOU metering mean in your instance?  Are you informed via
> > > print out as to your use pattern, are you benefiting from a variable
> > > rate, depending on the time of use your system displaces grid supply
> > > or backfeeds solar power into the grid?  Also, is there any remote
> > > electronic metering involved.  The value of distributed solar
> > > generated electricity on a hot July afternoon could be much greater
> > > than the average per Kw residential rate.  -ross@rnn.com
> > >
> > >
> > > On Fri, 19 Jul 2002, Don wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > I thought I'd introduce myself as I'm new to this list.  I live in
> > > > California in the Bay Area I've been interested in PV for a few
years
> > > > and finally took the plunge.  I'm in the process of having a 2.4 KW
> > > > system installed and directly connected to the grid, with no
> > > batteries.
> > > > The solar panels are on the roof and am anxiously awaiting the
> > > company
> > > > to send the electrician & PG&E so we can start using the new system!
> > > > We decided to take the extra step and go with TOU metering.  The
> > > dream
> > > > is nearly realized.  Woohoo!
> > > >
> > > > Best Regards,  Don
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > __________________________________________________
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