The first device capable of measuring residential on-site electric generation has been installed in the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities service area.

On Friday, the BPU installed a bi-directional meter for net metering purposes at the home of Tom Meara, who resides on Magnolia Avenue. Net metering is a how an electric consumer – that has their own on-site residential generating capabilities – can measure the energy they provide to the electric grid.

Dan Reynolds, BPU energy-efficiency coordinator, said the net metering device can be used for solar, wind and other residential energy generation mechanisms. For Meara, he has a solar array that was installed by Solar Liberty. Reynolds said this is the first net metering device installed by the BPU in Jamestown for a few different reasons. One, the BPU already offers low-cost electric rates when compared to other energy suppliers.

”The utility, until a few years ago, had no requirements to do net metering. So we did that about two years ago to allow for on-site generation” he said. ”Also, until the beginning of this year, customers were not available for incentives from (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority). There incentives offset some of the cost and make it more economically feasible.”

Reynolds said the NYSERDA incentive is about 70 cents per watt of capacity. For example, the solar array installed at Meara’s house is a 4.6 kilowatt system, which means he will receive a NYSERDA incentive of roughly $3,200.

”The NYSERDA incentive is now available and changes the economics for it, and makes it more economic friendly,” he said. ”I’ve talked to other installers who wanted to know more about installation in our service territory. We had another request submitted that we will be approving in a week or so. I think we will continue to see this more and more.”

Meara said installing a solar photovoltaic system is just another step in the multi-year effort his wife, Susan, and himself are taking to lessen their footprint.

”We’ve moved to a smaller house, insulated it very well, installed a tankless water heater, switched to (compact fluorescent light) or (light-emitting diode) light bulbs and installed a ductless heat pump,” he said. ”We purchased a small fuel-efficient car, then try to drive it less by bicycling, walking or taking CARTS. We are also trying to reduce the environmental impact of the food we eat by eating less meat, buying from local farmers and growing some of our own food and canning to extend the season of local food. There is still more for us to do.”

Meara said getting a solar array has been something he has wanted to do since being an engineering student 40 years ago.

”Then, it was mostly the coolness factor, but now I believe it is essential that all of us live within the limits nature presents us. This is one step. By reducing the amount of electricity I use, this system should be able to provide 90 percent of it for essentially the rest of my life. That includes all of my power and the majority of my heat. All from the sun that shines on my roof.”

Meara said he realizes solar power isn’t for everybody. He said the solar energy isn’t as prevalent during winter months when the sun is not out as often.

”That is why connecting to the grid is still necessary. The BPU has been very helpful and does an excellent job of providing low-cost and highly reliable power. However, the industry is facing a lot of change from solar, wind, large-scale batteries and other disruptive technologies that are challenging the concept of a large, central generating plant distributing power over a large area. Given the realities of climate change, the future will look a lot different, one way or another,” he said.