Net Metering 101

Who uses net metering?

Net metering is used by homes, businesses, schools, public buildings and others to reduce their power bills by going solar.  Today there are over 3.9 gigawatts of net metered solar energy systems across the country producing enough clean, reliable power for 300,000 homes. Meet some net metered users here!

How does net metering work?

Imagine a solar energy system on your own home. If you go to work during the day, you own mid-day power needs are low, but the solar panels on your roof still produce power. That power goes to the grid and the utility sells it to another customer nearby who needs it.

Net metering makes sure that energy customers who generate their own electricity using solar and other forms of renewable energy get credit  for each kilowatt-hour of excess electricity they deliver to the grid for others to use. These credits can then be used by the customer to offset power they purchase from the utility at other times. In other words, when solar customers generate more than they need, they get net metering bill credits. When they need more than they generate, they can use those credits to lower their power bills. This simple billing arrangement can make a significant impact on the economic viability of a solar energy system. 

Does my state have a net metering policy? 

Net metering is a cornerstone policy for unlocking the power of the sun. Now in place in 43 states nationwide, net metering is one of the most important policy tools we have for supporting customer investment in solar & other small-scale renewable resources. Check out the Freeing the Grid  website to see how your state's net metering polcies compares to neighborhing states. 

Check out net metering in action: