Con Edison to give solar, electric car customers meter device

Con Edison is giving customers that use solar energy or electric cars a device that lets them avoid the cost of upgrading the home’s circuit breaker panel.

The device is called ConnectDER and is free of charge to customers who power their homes with solar energy and connect electric vehicle chargers. The device is mounted to the electric meter and connected to both the meter and the solar panels or vehicle charger. The data is then fed back to Con Edison, showing workers the power generated by the panels or consumed by electric vehicles charged at the home. The company can then use that information to plan investments in its system and run the electric grid more efficiently.

“ConnectDER makes it more convenient for our customers to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of solar energy and electric vehicles,” James Skillman, manager of Distributed Generation for Con Edison, said. “We are glad to make this product available free of charge because we see solar power and EVs as important staples of our clean energy future.”

This device allows customers to avoid an upgrade to the home’s circuit breaker panel, which can cost up to $2,500.

“ConnectDER is proud to work with Con Edison to help customers get these clean energy products and services,” Whit Fulton, the CEO of ConnectDER, said. “We see the addition of data and communications elements for grid support on top of a simplified interconnection as a leap forward.”

Con Edison will provide devices throughout its service area after a two-year pilot program in Staten Island. Con Edison provides energy to 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.