Net Metering
West Virginia’s net metering laws are among the nation’s best. Net metering standardizes how solar panels and other renewable energy generators are connected to the public utility. Net metering allows customers to offset the cost of the power they draw from the utility with credits they earn with their own system. If your system produces more power than you require, you sell the excess to the grid, which you see as a credit on your energy bill. States with strong net metering laws are an asset to homeowners because they smooth the way to get a solar system connected to the public grid.
Interconnection Standards
Interconnection standards are requirements for connecting solar and other electricity-generating systems to the grid. West Virginia’s standards are clear and strong. Such standards make installation easier and usually less expensive, and net metering is more reliable too.
Federal Tax Credit
Of course, West Virginians also qualify for the great tax credit from the Federal government. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is now worth 26 percent of the system cost, and will be deducted from your Federal income tax. The credit goes to those who buy their system (cash or loan), not to those who lease. If you lease a system, then all of the incentives go to the third-party owner. That’s a great reason to buy rather than lease.
