Net Metering Value Calculator
Example: Annual solar production: 10000 kWh · Self-consumed share: 40 % · Retail electricity rate: 0.2 $/kWh · Export credit rate: 0.08 $/kWh
| Total annual value | $1,280 |
| Value of self-consumed energy | $800 |
| Value of exported energy | $480 |
Worked example
A system producing 10,000 kWh a year where you use 40% on-site keeps 4,000 kWh out of the grid at the $0.20 retail rate, worth $800. The remaining 6,000 kWh exported at a $0.08 credit rate is worth $480. Together your solar delivers $1,280 of value a year. Notice how much the self-consumed share matters: raising it to 60% by shifting usage into daylight hours would lift the total to $1,520.
Frequently asked questions
Why is exported solar worth less than what I use?
Under full retail net metering, exports were credited at the same rate you pay. Many states have shifted to net billing, where surplus energy earns a lower export rate closer to the utility's avoided cost. That is why energy you consume yourself, offsetting full-price purchases, is usually the most valuable.
How do I raise my self-consumption share?
Run big loads — dishwasher, laundry, EV charging, pool pump, air conditioning pre-cooling — during daylight when the panels are producing. Adding a home battery stores midday surplus for evening use, pushing self-consumption higher and increasing the value this calculator shows.
What export rate should I enter?
Check your utility's net-metering or net-billing tariff. Full net-metering states credit exports near the retail rate, so set both rates equal. Net-billing states publish a lower export or avoided-cost rate. Using the right export rate is what makes this estimate accurate for your area.
Does net metering change over time?
Yes. Utilities and regulators periodically revise these rules, and legacy customers are sometimes grandfathered at older, more generous rates for a set number of years. Confirm your current tariff and any grandfathering when you install, since it directly affects the export value here.