Featured in Outlook Obscured – 03-2025

US is facing net losses

Many US states are evaluating net metering rules that require utilities to pay solar customers for exporting their excess electricity to the grid. Any change to the regime could dampen return on investment for PV and make battery energy storage a critical component of home solar.

By

Ryan Kennedy

05 Mar 2025

Net metering was a driver of rooftop solar adoption in the US states that implemented it. | Photo: Steve & Michelle Gerdes/Flickr

Net metering has been critical to solar’s success in US states with robust rooftop markets. Now many states are considering phasing out these programs.For homes and businesses, net metering entails gaining electricity credits against utility bills in exchange for excess solar electricity they exported to the grid. It’s an arrangement that provides emissions-free electricity to …

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