Sell Electricity to Your Local Utility Company
Many states now have "net meteringArrangement through which a homeowner who produces electricity using photovoltaics or wind power can sell excess electricity back to the utility company, running the electric meter backwards." laws.
These laws require utility companies to buy electricity generated on-site from customers at the full retail rate. Typically the electricity meter runs backward when power is flowing into the grid (such as sunny or windy days), which offsets the amount of electricity you have to buy at other times (at night or when the wind isn't blowing).
Green Points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify. Up to 10 points may be earned under EA1 (Energy & Atmosphere) or EA10 for renewable energy systems.
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions. /ICC-700 Energy Efficiency: points awarded based on renewable energy production — 1 pt. per 200 watts (704.3.3.2).
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia:
PHOTOVOLTAIC (SOLAR) ELECTRICIY
WIND-GENERATED ELECTRICITY
From the Green Primer
