Path-Q Solar
What happens to solar savings if net metering is unavailable?
Answer
Savings can still come from solar electricity used directly on site, but exported electricity may receive a lower credit or no credit. The result is usually greater sensitivity to system size, daytime usage, battery storage, and the applicable export rules.
Key points
- Calculate avoided purchases and exported generation separately.
- A smaller system or more daytime load may improve the value of generation.
- Storage can increase self-consumption but introduces cost, losses, degradation, and replacement risk.
- Fixed charges and minimum bills may remain even when solar production is high.
What it depends on
- Current export compensation and utility tariff
- Hourly consumption and solar production
- System size, battery use, and controllable loads
- Export limits and interconnection requirements
Risks and trade-offs
- Using retail electricity prices for exports can overstate savings.
- A battery may not pay back solely through bill savings.
- Future export rules or tariffs may change the value of the system.
Information you may need
- Current bill and export tariff
- Hourly or interval consumption
- System production estimate and proposed size
- Battery cost and operating assumptions
Your next step
What to do next
Request a forecast that separately models on-site consumption, exports, and any battery, using the current utility rules.
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