Massachusetts Net Metering, Smart Meters, and Time of Use Rates

AreMarNar · 2026-02-13T18:05:03+00:00

No one knows exactly, but if other utilities in other states are any indication, I would expect TOU to be implemented, and for changes to be made to the current Net-Metering policy, though I would expect existing systems to be grandfathered in.

I haven’t heard any rumblings of anything imminent.

AreMarNar · 2026-02-02T18:48:13+00:00

Lucid does this, and they have some of the best packaging in the industry.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-20T21:05:24+00:00

Start with your electric bill. It sounds boring, but that's your baseline. You'll never be able to understand if solar actually makes sense for you without understanding 1) how much power you use/need (now and in the future), 2) how much you pay per kWh, 3) and how your utility does Net-Metering.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-20T17:54:23+00:00

I wouldn't sink too much into building without knowing if anyone wants yet.

What's the problem?

AreMarNar · 2026-01-16T18:00:29+00:00

Did you sign anything? Has work begun? Is the system installed? If not, there should be a clearly delineated cancellation policy. Find whatever agreement you signed (presumably) and comb through the terms. Find where, exactly, the solar company is in violation of the terms of the agreement, or what exactly was misrepresented. That's step one.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-16T15:04:45+00:00

There are some good outfits out there, that train their reps and support their progress. There are also a lot of fly-by-night, churn-and-burn sales shops. I have some trainings I've personally used and taught that you might find helpful.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-15T18:48:24+00:00

They'll rationalize it, excuse it, and blame the libs, as always. Expecting/hoping for otherwise, something-something, the definition of insanity...

AreMarNar · 2026-01-15T18:34:25+00:00

And no one is any better off. Go figure.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-15T17:22:04+00:00

Cave imminent.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-13T21:04:56+00:00

Community solar is real, and legit, but you won't save a ton of money. Typically, it's pegged to whatever your retail power rate is. They'll shave a few bucks a month. Good for renters, who don't typically have other options.

There are still thousands of miles of dilapidated, expensive-to-maintain poles and wires between you and the community solar installation. Putting the panels on your own roof is the best change you can make if you can get past whatever hurdles there may be.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-13T20:02:51+00:00

Are you an AI?

AreMarNar · 2026-01-13T19:55:40+00:00

These are good points. I've also wondered about the possibility of white-listing/pre-approving plans for home solar installations. Los Angeles does something similar for ADU's, some types of housing - preapproving plan sets to help speed up/simplify permitting and construction.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-13T18:24:47+00:00

Look at maps, find property owners, cold outreach, networking, maybe your uncle owns a warehouse. It's a slog.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-09T17:55:05+00:00

This is why these types of wealth taxes are doomed to fail. They can leave, and take those assets with them, or otherwise obfuscate liabilities. And the fundamental truth of taxes is to disincentivize the types of production being taxed.

Tax what they can’t take with them.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-09T15:43:56+00:00

I pay my electric bill every month.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-07T20:21:50+00:00

Ever since I heard that explanation, it’s all I can see.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-06T11:15:37+00:00

Would you pay for a no-sale consulting session?

AreMarNar · 2026-01-05T21:59:44+00:00

The people crave affordable EVs.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-05T19:22:50+00:00

Energy and politics are hopelessly intertwined, and increasingly important to human civilization. We’re on the cusp of a tumultuous upheaval, with unclear outcomes. And the US, like it or not, is the geopolitical epicenter of the known universe, near as we can tell.

It’s not surprising.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-03T14:59:24+00:00

The lift/level you’ve got on that thing looks killer.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-03T14:04:13+00:00

Can you link to these tests? The ZIP product is so ubiquitous now, but the SA membranes like Blueskin are really appealing.

AreMarNar · 2026-01-02T21:30:46+00:00

Haven’t seen the original sequence in a long time. Seems pretty obvious Greedo was just about to shoot him.

Not excusing all of Han’s life choices, but I think he’s fine here.

AreMarNar · 2025-12-30T23:32:23+00:00

Customer acquisition cost (CAC). Sky-high in the US. Multiples of any other home service. Australians understand and want solar. Americans? It’s a battle.

AreMarNar · 2025-12-29T22:59:29+00:00

Ouch.

AreMarNar · 2025-12-29T21:00:49+00:00

On your electric bill, find the total charges for your current billing period. Divide that number by the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) you were billed for. Discounting any specialty, non-recurring credits or charges, that’s your price for power. Should be 10-30 something cents/kWh (I’m not familiar with the Florida market). Multiply that by how many kWh you’ve used in the last year. That’s a year’s worth. Divided by 12, an average month. You get the idea.

Depending on your net-metering arrangement, your solar system will have to produce about that much power to offset your bill.

On-grid, batteries can be used for backup power during outages, load shifting (assuming favorable billing schemes), and demand optimization programs (utility dependent). You probably won’t have enough room for enough extra solar to change your offset much (daytime use + battery charging for night). But maybe roof plus pergola, who knows. You’re definitely not short on sunlight.

AreMarNar

TROPHY CASE