I contacted our local DNR about Solar Panels & Grid power.

December 19th, 2007, 9:52 am Josh Houghtelin Construction, Home, Projects

Batteries are half the cost of getting into Solar Electricity. A new bill got pushed through for “net metering”. With net metering you buy your solar panels, push them through a power inverter and connect the outputted AC power directly to your home. Your home uses what electricity it needs and when your solar panels are creating more electricity then you are currently consuming the power gets pushed into the commercial grid. You get credited for all that excess power you generate at retail cost. Anyway, Pat explains it below. He is the individual within our local DNR I contacted with a few questions. This was his response.

Mr. Houghtelin-
Thank you for your interest in renewable energy. You are smart to think about having an “intertied” solar system that you would connect to the grid power you already have. This is more cost effective than the battery solution. However, it does not provide for backup power. You would need batteries or a generator for that. In answer to your questions:

Q: I currently have residential grid electricity powered by Aquila. Will they provide the tool necessary for net metering or do I purchase this myself? Is there any special arrangements I have to make to do this?
A: I cannot say for sure about Aquila. What I can tell you is that this year Senate Bill 54 was passed, and it requires that utilities provide a simplified connection process and net metering. The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) is to develop rules in 2008 to detail how the utilities should do this. That should be done by the Fall of 2008. Essentially, they will have to provide you with retail credit for the power that you send back to them, but only up to the amount that you use each month from them. Excess power above that amount would be credited at the avoided cost rate, which would be roughly $.02 per kWh. For example, if you used 300 kWh from the grid for your use, and you pushed back 250 kWh from your solar system, then you would be billed for the customer charge plus 50 kWh of energy. As another example, if you used 300 kWh from the grid for your use and pushed back 350 kWh from your solar system, then you would have no energy charge and a credit of 50 kWh at the avoided cost rate. I hope that makes sense. Again, the details are yet to be worked out since the PSC must prepare rules.

Q: Is there any grant / refund information you may suggest I look into?
A: Unfortunately, there are no state level grants or rebates available in MO. The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided for a tax credit of 30% for residential with a limit of $2,000 for each of solar hot water and solar electric. It also has a 30% tax credit for commercial with no limit. However, these run out on December 31, 2008, so you have one year more to take advantage of this. Click here for a description of this tax credit.

Thanks for the opportunity to assist and feel free to call for more info or questions.
Pat Justis

Department of Natural Resources
St. Louis Regional Office
7545 S. Lindbergh Blvd., Suite 210
St. Louis, MO 63125
(314 )416-2960 Tel
(314) 416-2970 Fax