b'NET METERING PROJECTThe Cowessess Administration Building, with solar panels installed on its roof as part of the communitys net metering projectAN ECO-ENERGY POWERHOUSEBy Gavin JohnNetmeteringisanelectricalbillingcleanenergythattheycanconsume,theCowessessAdministrationOffice, mechanismthatallowscustomerstobut also the excess power can be sentwhich offsets 66 per cent; the Cowes-producetheirownelectricity,inthisback into the grid and then they cansessMall,whichoffsets49percent, case through solar power, and receivereceive financial credits for that. So thatand the Cowessess Community Educa-credit towards their utility bill. Typicalhelps our customers offset their energytion Centre, which offsets 28 per cent. electricity metering is a one-way flow,costs and it also contributes to our goal from the utility provider to the user, butto reduce emissions and really improveThefivebuildingsareprojectedto with net metering bi-directional metersour engagement with other communi- produce 390 megawatts of electricity havethecapacitytosupplyexcessties as well.ayear.Weanticipatewiththefive energy produced by the user back topublic buildings we will save $20,000 the provincial grid.The installation of solar panels on fivea year in utilities where we can divert ofCowessesspublicbuildingswiththatmoneytomoreunfundedareas, Netmeteringgivescustomerswhothese bi-directional meters allows forallowingustobemoreefficient, wanttohavetheopportunitytosubstantial cost savings on electricity. generate their own power to use renew- ThebuildingsincludetheCowessessDelorme says. able technologies, explains RachelleSenior complex, which offsets 100 per VerretMorphy,SaskPowersgeneralcent of the energy previously requiredSTRONG RELATIONSHIPcounselandVPofcorporateandfrom the power grid; the Water Treat- The Cowessess partnership with Sask-regulatory affairs. They can generatement Plant, which offsets 95 per cent;Power is built on a strong relationship, Aboriginal BUSINESS REPORT39'