This web page from the U.S. Dept. of Energy has more information about net metering.

Click here to visit the page. 

The American Wind Energy Association maintains a page of Frequently Asked Questions about net metering.

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Net metering is a way for you to connect your small wind turbine behind the meter at your home, business or farm.  This system is designed to allow energy generated at your home farm or business to offset some or all of the electricity you use.  If your generator is producing more electricity than you can consume the excess is sold back to the utility.  The price that a project receives for the excess electricity varies from state to state and from utility to utility.

The concept of net metering programs is to allow utility customers to generate their own electricity from renewable resources, such as small wind turbines and solar electric systems. The customers send excess electricity back to the utility when their wind system, for example, produces more power than they need.

The advantages of utility interconnection include having standard utility AC power when you need it, not just when the wind blows; eliminating the need for storing excess electricity in batteries, which can be expensive; and you only pay for the net electricity used.

The concept of net metering programs is to allow utility customers to generate their own electricity from renewable resources, such as small wind turbines and rooftop solar systems. The customers send excess electricity back to the utility when their wind system, for example, produces more power than needed. Customers can also get power from the utility when their wind system doesn’t produce enough power. In effect, net metering allows the interconnected customer to use the electrical grid as a storage battery. This helps customers get higher (retail) value for more of their self-generated electricity.