How Does Net Metering Work?

Net metering is a policy that lets you get credit for the solar electricity you produce but don't use right away. Learn more about this important concept and how a solar installation works with the electrical grid to save you money.

If you’re thinking about going solar, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to keep your home powered when the sun isn’t shining. Thanks to a policy called net metering, you don’t have to worry about your home going dark.

When the sun is shining during the day, your solar panels will make lots of electricity. If you’re making more than you need, your electric meter will run backward, because you’re actually sending that excess energy back to the grid. In exchange, your utility gives you credits on your electric bill for all the power you sent them.

Then, at night, when your panels aren’t producing electricity, you can use the credits you’ve stored up to get electricity from your utility and power your home. If your panels haven’t produced enough energy to meet your needs, don’t worry! You can always buy the extra from your utility.

Don’t expect to get a check in the mail if you produce more solar power than you need. In most cases, you’ll get credits on your bill, but your utility won’t pay you for them. The specifics of net metering depend on your utility company, and we recommend you call them for further details.

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[TyeTheOG]

So I can produce my own energy, give back to my community, collect credits monthly from my power company, on top of the tax credit? And it’s cheaper than going to different power companies every 6-12months?? Glad I did my hw, where do I sign??

[brandonneal]

I have generac system they size it compared to your electric bill. Over the summer when the days are long and zenith angle is at its best you over produce electricity and put it on the grid. Build credits. May go into fall with negative 2k bill, then in the winter time you use the credits you put back on the grid during summer. In theory after first year you should never have electric bill again just credits.

[carlsimpson]

Your power meter will not run backwards. This is false information. The meter is a special meter that measures power from the grid to your home on one register and a separate register measures the power from your home to the grid.

[eileenlang]

Is the credit you receive from the company or the supplier???

[miteshchaudhary]

Which software did you use to create this animated video?