What is net metering, and how does it affect my utility bill?

Your home solar system will provide most of the energy your home needs. During cloudy or foggy days, there will be low production. At night, your home solar system won’t produce energy.

If you have a battery connected to your home solar system, you may use energy from your battery to power your most needed light and appliances. 

Your home solar system will still be connected to your utility, even if you have a battery. During times when your home solar system and battery cannot meet the energy needs of your home (at night, during times of low production), you will need to pull electricity from your utility.

Net metering measures the electricity you receive from your utility, as well as any excess energy your home solar system sends to your utility. Your utility will supply your net meter to keep track of what you consume from and export to the grid. You may receive credit for exported energy to help offset the cost of the utility electricity you consume.

Net metering is not available in all markets. We recommend you check with your local utility before going solar.

Please note that you will have two energy meters and therefore two monthly statements. Sunnova will provide you with a solar meter to measure your solar production, and your utility will provide you with a net meter. Net metering may appear on your utility bill in its acronym form, NEM (Net Energy Metering).1

1. Your electricity needs will vary based on your usage, the energy efficiency of your home and other factors. Your solar system’s production will vary based on weather and other factors. Sunnova makes no guarantees regarding credit for net energy exported to the electric grid, and any credit provided (now or in the future) is subject to change or termination by executive, legislative or regulatory action.