By Robin Thomas
MERRIMAC — More homeowners are generating electricity using renewable energy resources, and the Merrimac Light Department has responded to this "green" trend.
Earlier this month, Light Commissioners approved a new Net Metering Policy which applies to customers with photovoltaic (PV) units (solar panels), wind turbine units or micro turbine (heat recovery) equipment.
When customers create their own electricity, a bidirectional (two-way) meter will keep track of any surplus kilowatt hours generated by the customer and sent to the Light Department. The Net Metering Policy specifies the billing rate used to credit these customers for their excess electricity.
In addition, Light Department Manager Dan Folding explained that the Net Metering Policy is designed "to make sure the installations are safe for the Merrimac Light Department and all the residents in town." Workers are protected because home installations must automatically cut the connection between the home generator and the town's power line during an outage. This safeguard ensures that a lineman can make a repair without encountering unexpected and life-threatening power.
The Net Metering Policy keeps homeowners safe during a power outage by restricting overflow from the home generator which could overload the homeowner's installation. Neighbors are also protected because the policy prevents improper installations which could leak low-voltage power into a neighbor's home during a power outage and burn out appliances.
Folding said Merrimac's Net Metering Policy was "generated through talking with other municipalities that are doing exactly the same thing." So far, only one customer in Merrimac has approached the Light Department to participate. But Folding predicts that, based on the number of state and federal grants available for generating electricity at home, "these types of installations are going to keep popping up."
"We want to make sure installers or contractors review the policy to make sure their installation is compliant with our policy," Folding said.
Homeowners who plan to install generating equipment must also contact the Building Inspector to ensure that proper permits have been obtained. The Net Metering Policy is available in the "Municipal Light Department" section of the town's Web site, merrimac01860.info.
