Skip to main content
Sunrun
  • Contact Us 833-394-3384
  • Get a Quote
  • Plans & Services
      • Overview
      • Monthly Solar Lease
      • Full Amount Solar Lease
      • Monthly Solar Loan
      • Purchase Solar System
  • Why Sunrun
      • Overview
      • Our Vision
      • Our Guarantee
      • Our Customers
      • Virtual Consultation
  • Solar Storage
      • Overview
      • Tesla Powerwall
      • LG Chem
  • Plans & Services
      • Overview
      • Monthly Solar Lease
      • Full Amount Solar Lease
      • Monthly Solar Loan
      • Purchase Solar System
  • Solar Storage
      • Overview
      • LG Chem
      • Tesla Powerwall
  • Why Sunrun
      • Overview
      • Our Vision
      • Our Guarantee
      • Our Customers
      • Virtual Consultation
  • Solar by state
  • Solar FAQs
  • Solar Education
  • Cost of solar
  • Contact us
  • Sign in
  • Get started
Go solar for as little as 0% down Get started.
Go solar for as little as 0% down Get started

Net Energy Metering (NEM)

What is a kilowatt-hour

Net Energy Metering (NEM) Definition:

A practice in which utilities credit you for the excess electricity generated by your solar panels. You can then draw upon these credits when your panels don’t produce enough electricity to match your use; most commonly in the night when the sun is down.

Choose and control your home energy

Go solar for $0 down
See if you qualify

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
Do you own your home?
What is your average monthly electric bill?
By clicking above, I authorize Sunrun to call me and send pre-recorded messages and text messages to me about Sunrun products and services at the telephone number I entered above, using an autodialer, even if I am on a national or state “Do Not Call” list. Message and data rates may apply. Maximum 10 texts per month. Consent for calls & texts is optional. You can opt out anytime. You also agree to our Terms of Service.

Thanks so much! We'll call you shortly.

Sorry, we are not taking new customers in your area yet

 

Refer a Friend. Get $1000

Breaking Down Net Energy Metering (NEM):

When excess electricity is produced by your solar system, it is sent back to the grid and the electric company must buy that energy from you. Customers that sell their extra energy to the electric company then use that amount to offset their total electric bill. They can also draw upon these energy credits during times when their electricity usage is greater than their production - such as a heavily overcast day or during the night. 

How Net Metering Works

Your solar system has ups and downs in energy production. During the morning and evening, home energy usage is usually higher while your solar system's production is lower. Energy production peaks in the afternoon, usually when you are not home and therefore are using less energy.

These "up and downs" create a "back-and-forth" between your system and the grid. As you consume more than you produce, your electric meter will increase as it did before you went solar. But when you produce more than you consume, it will actually run in reverse. This allows for maximum efficiency of your system as you are never leaving energy on the table. 

Note that NEM is not available in all states. Some states have revised versions, i.e. NEM 2.0.

Sunrun

Jun 24, 2018

Recommended Articles

  • How Can Solar Help Lower Your Utility Bills?

    How Can Solar Help Lower Your Utility Bills?

    Clean and sustainable energy from the sun can run the energy needs of our planet. Using the sun ...

  • How Much Maintenance is Required for Solar Panels?

    How Much Maintenance is Required for Solar Panels?

    How To Maintain Your Home Solar System Properly At ...

  • How much does going solar cost?

    How much does going solar cost?

    Sure solar sounds great. Clean electricity. Freedom from the utility companies. No more massive...

  • New York is perfect for solar savings

    New York is perfect for solar savings

    Here at Sunrun, we love solar energy and the sun. And if you’re looking to go solar, we couldn’t...

Where's Sunrun

Sunrun has hundreds of thousands customers powering their homes with renewable energy each month. Locate solar services in your state.

Plans & Services

Find the best home solar plan within your budget today. You can go solar and save for little to $0 down with Sunrun.

Brightbox Battery Storage

Brightbox™ Battery makes storing and managing clean affordable solar energy simple and easy.

Solar Panels

Solar power is yours for the making. Sunrun creates home solar panel systems that optimize for efficiency, durability, service, and value.

Sunrun News

From solar news to smart home energy saving tips, learn how solar is helping thousands save on rising energy costs.

Solar Education

Learn how to go solar simply with Sunrun’s solar education center, including articles, videos & FAQs.

Cost of Solar

As electricity rates are rising the cost of solar panels have never been lower. Switch to home solar and save with Sunrun.

Utilities

Find out more on how to lower your electric bill, how to read your electric bill once you go solar, and which green initiatives your utility is focused on today.

  • Sunrun States:
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • FL
  • HI
  • IL
  • MA
  • MD
  • NV
  • NH
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NY
  • PA
  • PR
  • RI
  • SC
  • TX
  • UT
  • VT
  • WI
  • Leadership
  • Contact
  • Investors
  • Careers
  • Home Builders

Go solar for as little as 0% down

See if you Qualify
See if you Qualify
+ Chat Now
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

©2021 Sunrun. All rights reserved.

  • State Contractor License Information
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
Sunrun Logo Solar-Savings // solar-plans-and-services plans-services money // contact us Sun phone handshake airplane Pin Brief Case solar-installation solar-warranty home-solar-blog why-sunrun2 Grid solar-reviews sunrun-glyph icon-home icon-people icon-medal icon-panel icon-recycling Contact-Us-Icon user icon icon-lightbulb brightbox-battery Newspaper icon-certificate icon-medal icon-meter double-carets icon-headset Lower CO2 Bridge Foam Finger Lightning Phone Call (blue) Phone Call Send (blue) Send User (blue) User facebook instagram twitter youtube linkedin