FAQs
Use the navigation bar below to view answers and explanations for some of our Frequently Asked Questions regarding:
- Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (SRECs)
- Requirements for electric meters and solar monitoring solutions
- Partnerships with Sol Systems
- Payments for SRECs
- Sol Brokerage
About Meters and Monitoring
1. What are meter requirements for systems?
2. What are the remote monitoring requirements for systems?
3. When do customers submit meter readings?
1. What are meter requirements for systems?
Many states require a separate solar meter that measures a systems' solar energy production information. This solar meter records the number of Megawatt-hours (i.e. SRECs) that the system produces. The solar meter requirements vary from state to state, but are often required for systems that are larger than 10 KW. However, all Massachusetts systems require revenue grade solar meters. New Jersey has also proposed legislation that will require all systems to have a revenue grade solar meter in order to be eligible for SREC participation.
For more information about the solar meter requirements in your state, please refer to your solar installer. (Sol Systems partners can find more detailed information on the "Solar Meter and Monitoring Requirements" document on their Sol Systems Installer Dashboard.)
2. What are the remote monitoring requirements for systems?
Sol Systems encourages all of our customers to install a remote monitoring system and to provide us with access to the solar production data. By doing so, customers will know when their system is operating efficiently and they will not have to worry about providing Sol Systems with monthly meter readings.
Sol Systems requires that systems have a remote monitoring system connected to a dedicated solar meter for customers who:
- Have a dedicated solar energy meter and are opting for a Sol Upfront SREC payment
- Have a system that is 20 KW or larger
- Have a system that is located in Massachusetts that is 10 KW or larger
Sol Systems requires access to a remote monitoring system connected to an inverter for customers who:
- Are located in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or West Virginia.
- Are opting for a Sol Upfront SREC payment.
Customers located in New Jersey who have installed a remote monitoring systems must be measuring production data from an ANSI C.12 certified solar meter (not an inverter).
3. When do customers submit meter readings?
Customers who have a dedicated solar energy meter are required to submit monthly meter readings (at the end of each month) from the solar meter. (Customers who are located in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, or West Virginia and do not have a dedicated solar meter are required to submit inverter readings at the end of each month.) Customers should log into their account on the Sol Systems’ website to enter meter readings.
Customer are not required to enter monthly meter readings if they:
- Qualify for estimated production
- Provide Sol Systems with access to a qualified remote monitoring system for the duration of the contract term
In both of these cases, the customer will save the time and effort of having to submit monthly meter readings. If a customer qualifies for estimated production, Sol Systems will utilize SREC estimated production information according to PV Watts. If a customer provides Sol Systems with access to remote monitoring, Sol Systems will login and obtain the SREC production information ourselves.