The primary goal of net metering is to allow consumers to generate enough electricity to offset some or all of their annual energy use. It is more economical, efficient and environmentally friendly to reduce your energy use before expending the time and expense of installing a renewable generating system. CEC has online tools to help you identify cost-effective energy-efficiency improvements and conservation efforts, which will help to lower your energy usage and costs.
By first reducing your energy use, you may be able to reduce the size and cost of your renewable generator.
Once energy-efficiency and conservation measures have been implemented, you would be ready to size a renewable generator system to offset the remaining energy usage.