The “Freeing the Grid” policy guide grades all 50 states on two key renewable energy policies: net metering and interconnection procedures. Together these policies empower energy customers to use rooftop solar and other small-scale renewables to meet their own electricity needs. Net metering allows a renewable customer’s electric meter to “spin backwards” ensuring that they receive fair credit for clean power they put back on the grid, like roll over minutes on a cell phone bill. Interconnection standards are the legal rules and procedures for “plugging” a renewable energy system into the power grid. North Carolina received a “D” for net metering policies and a “B” for interconnection procedures. The guide suggests that poor net metering policies will discourage customers from installing renewable energy systems due to decreased economic value. Read more »
