Home / Tax credit and net metering
Net Metering Calculator
See how much solar saves when exported power earns less than the retail price.
Your result
Enter your numbers and press the button. Your result appears here.
With incentives shrinking, export credits matter more. Compare full retail net metering with your utility's export rate.
How it works
Savings = kWh used at home × retail price + kWh exported × export credit.
Example: 11,000 kWh a year with 40% used at home saves $1,328, against $2,001 under full net metering.
At a glance
Same settings as the calculator, changing only the export credit.
| Export credit | Savings | Full net metering | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0¢ | $800 | $2,001 | $1,201 |
| 4¢ | $1,064 | $2,001 | $937 |
| 8¢ | $1,328 | $2,001 | $673 |
| 12¢ | $1,592 | $2,001 | $409 |
| 18.19¢ | $2,001 | $2,001 | $0 |
Federal solar incentives in 2026
| Credit | Who claims it | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D), 30% | Homeowner who buys the system | Ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025 |
| Clean Electricity Investment Credit (48E) | Owner of a leased or PPA system (the installer or financier) | Available for qualifying projects under the 2025 budget law's deadlines |
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, ended 25D early. State and utility incentives are separate.
Common questions
What is net metering?
A billing rule that credits each kWh your panels send to the grid at the retail price, so the meter in effect runs backward.
What is net billing?
A rule that credits exports at a lower rate, often near the utility's avoided cost. Using more of your solar at home, or adding a battery, raises savings.
Sources
- U.S. EIA, Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B (residential price, Jan–Aug 2026): https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_5_6_b
- NREL PVWatts v8 (20° tilt, south-facing, 14% losses), state results compiled by TheGreenWatt: https://thegreenwatt.com/average-peak-sun-hours-by-state/