Net metering calculator

How much will my electric bill be after solar?

Compare a solar bill under traditional 1:1 net metering vs export-only credits (e.g. CA NEM 3.0). Get monthly net cost, exported kWh, self-consumption ratio, and annualized totals.

Net Metering

Net metering monthly savings

Monthly savings$272.00
Annual savings$3,264.00
Self-consumed850 kWh
Grid import50 kWh
Exported to grid0 kWh
Bill without solar$300.00
Bill with solar$28.00

Results are first-pass estimates. Verify with installers, manufacturers, and utility tariffs before purchase.

How it works

How it works

  • Self-consumed kWh ≈ min(consumption, solar × 0.40). Without batteries, only 30–50% of midday solar is consumed onsite.
  • Imported kWh = consumption − self-consumed. Exported kWh = solar − self-consumed.
  • Monthly bill = imported × import rate − exported × export rate + fixed fee. Under NEM 3.0 export rate is roughly 25% of import rate.

Worked examples

Worked examples

CA NEM 3.0, 900 kWh use, 850 kWh solar

Bill ≈ $90/month with batteries (95% self-consumption) vs $215/month without retail-rate export.

Texas free-nights plan, 1,100 kWh use, 950 kWh solar

Net bill near $0 in shoulder months; summer surplus banked.

AZ APS, 1,300 kWh use, 1,100 kWh solar

Export rate $0.075/kWh, bill ≈ $135/month with $13 fixed fee.

Net metering FAQ

Net metering FAQ

What changed with NEM 3.0?

California cut export rates ~75% in April 2023. Batteries become essential to make new residential solar pencil out.

How is self-consumption calculated?

The calculator assumes 40% baseline without storage. With a Powerwall-class battery it can exceed 90% — model that by raising the self-consumption factor.

Are fixed connection fees included?

Yes — set the monthly fixed fee field. Most US utilities charge $8–$30/month regardless of usage.

Does the calculator handle TOU rates?

No. Use an average blended rate. For TOU plans, weight peak hours separately and rerun.

Calculator directory

Choose the right EV, solar, and battery calculator

EV charging time calculator

Enter your battery capacity, starting and target state of charge, and charger output to estimate charging time, the kWh pulled from the wall, and your cost per session — all from open, transparent formulas.

Open calculator

Solar panel calculator

Size a solar PV array from your daily electricity use, local peak sun hours, system losses, and panel wattage. Also estimates roof area and an off-grid battery bank using depth-of-discharge and round-trip efficiency.

Open calculator

Battery runtime calculator

Enter your battery capacity in watt-hours, the running load, idle standby draw, usable depth-of-discharge, and inverter efficiency to estimate practical runtime for a Jackery, EcoFlow, Bluetti, APC UPS, or any custom 12 / 24 / 48 V bank.

Open calculator

Home battery backup calculator

Add up critical loads (fridge, well pump, internet, a few lights), pick how many hours per day you need them, set a target number of backup days, and the calculator returns the battery bank size and how much solar recharge offsets the draw each day.

Open calculator

EV road trip calculator

Estimate stops, charging time, and drive time from route distance, EV range, battery capacity, departure SOC, reserve SOC, target stop SOC and DC charger power.

Open calculator

Solar payback calculator

Apply the 30% federal ITC, model 0.5%/year panel degradation and 3%/year rate inflation, and see year-by-year cumulative savings until the system breaks even.

Open calculator

Net metering calculator

Compare a solar bill under traditional 1:1 net metering vs export-only credits (e.g. CA NEM 3.0). Get monthly net cost, exported kWh, self-consumption ratio, and annualized totals.

Open calculator

Heat pump vs gas calculator

Convert your annual heating demand to kWh and therms with COP and AFUE, then compare yearly fuel cost and CO₂. Uses EPA grid average 0.39 kg CO₂/kWh and 5.3 kg CO₂/therm.

Open calculator

Generator sizing calculator

List your running watts and the largest motor (well pump, AC compressor, fridge), apply LRA-based starting surge, and add a safety factor for fuel headroom and altitude derating.

Open calculator

Solar lease vs buy calculator

Model cash purchase (with 30% ITC) versus a 25-year lease with annual escalator. Inputs: system cost, lease payment year 1, escalator %, annual production, retail rate.

Open calculator

Solar panel tilt calculator

Get the year-round optimal tilt (≈ latitude), summer tilt (latitude − 15°) and winter tilt (latitude + 15°), plus expected production gain from seasonal adjustment.

Open calculator

Solar inverter sizing calculator

NREL and SEIA recommend a DC:AC ratio of 1.15–1.30. Higher ratios cost less per AC watt but cause midday clipping. Find the sweet spot for your location.

Open calculator

Wind turbine calculator

Estimate annual kWh from rotor swept area, average wind speed, air density, capacity factor and turbine efficiency. Uses the Weibull-corrected power equation.

Open calculator

EV total cost of ownership calculator

Sum purchase price (minus federal tax credit), fuel/electricity, insurance, maintenance and registration over 5 years. Default electricity 4.0 mi/kWh, gas 28 mpg.

Open calculator