Residential micro-combined heat and power technologies is now
eligible for net metering in New York
state, and ECR International (creator of the Freewatt CHP system), announced
its support.
The revised legislation, signed into law Aug.
27 by Governor Paterson, expands New York State's current net metering law to
include residential micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technologies,
like ECR’s Freewatt system, which combines an Energy Star-rated,
high-efficiency natural gas or propane furnace or boiler with a Honda
co-generator to produce heat and electricity for homes.
"The inclusion of micro-CHP as an eligible technology
in New York State’s net metering law is extremely
significant," announcedMichael Paparone, president and
CEO of ECR International. "Net metering will allow micro-CHP homeowners to
offset the cost of electricity they purchase from a utility by selling any
excess power they generate back to the utility. We estimate this will save New York State homeowners approximately $1,000
per year."
The previous law permitted net energy metering for
residential solar, farm waste, non-residential solar and residential and/or
farm service wind electric generating systems. The amended law also requires
electric corporations to permit net energy metering for micro-CHP generating
equipment and to provide for the interconnection to the electric system of
micro-CHP systems in the same manner as other eligible technologies.
The amended law takes effect immediately, but allows New York electric
utilities three months to prepare for the appropriate changes. ECR
International says it will be working with the utilities to help establish the
procedures required to comply with the new law.
Source: ECR International