Ten U.S. utilities currently account for 70 percent of all net energy metering (NEM) — but most solar companies and utilities are thinking about it.

Innovative financing, unprecedentedly low panel costs and local mandates are increasing the prevalence of photovoltaic solar-generated electricity. But utilities and ratepayers without solar are concerned about potential cost inequities. Austin Energy (AE), the progressive municipally owned Texas utility, may have a solution.

NEM allows solar system owners to roll their meters backward as they earn retail rates for the electricity their systems send into the grid. In sunny places, bills can roll back to zero. This may shift some costs to the utility and the utility’s other ratepayers.

via Can a “Value of Solar Tariff” Replace Net Energy Metering? : Greentech Media.