[Frank V. Roesler III @ Jul 3rd 2007 9:16AM]

I want one of these so badly!!! I'm OBSESSED with renewable household energy and I love the concept that if you pump energy back into an existing electric grid, that electric company has to pay YOU for the electricity. I don't know this for a fact, but the way I understand it this is actually a federal regulation put in place. With as high of a roof line as I have on my house, it'd be perfect for a few of these turbines not to mention running the home off of rainwater collection and lots of surface area for solar panels. Now if I only had the money to put all this stuff in action.

[jaredhill @ Aug 23rd 2007 3:40PM]

Grid interconnected PV and/or wind systems can indeed send clean AC electrical power back to the power grid. In most areas this is referred to as "net metering", because your existing electrical meter is actually turned backwards as electrons flow from your home into the grid, and turns forward whenever your load exceeds your charge capacity. Other areas require a second meter to monitor outflowing electricity. Unless regulations have recently changed the Utility Company is never going to write you a check for your excess input (above your own loads). The best you can get is a "zero point" where your monthly bill is offset by your input to the grid. Does anyone know if this has changed?