Suncipher

Net Metering Calculator

Estimate your annual true-up — a banked surplus payout, or a deficit owed.

This models your full annual true-up balance. Want the dollar value of just one month's exported solar instead? See the Net Metering Value Estimator.
This tool provides a planning estimate based on the assumptions shown below the results — it is not a quote, and actual costs and savings will vary by installer, local rates, and your specific home. Net metering vs. net billing rules vary significantly by state and utility — confirm your specific program before relying on these numbers.

Sets the retail rate below to your state's average (EIA, April 2026) — edit it if you know your actual rate.

kWh/yr
kWh/yr
$
$

The true-up rate is what your utility pays for any surplus kWh left over at year-end — check your utility's tariff, since it's usually well below the retail rate.

Enter your annual production and consumption to see your year-end position.

How this calculator works

Net kWh for the year = annual production − annual consumption. A surplus is typically paid out at a lower annual true-up (avoided cost) rate rather than the retail rate; a deficit is billed at the retail rate like any other grid electricity. This models the annual banking cycle — for a single month's export value under net metering vs. net billing, see our Net Metering Value Estimator.

Source: DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, Net Metering, last updated 2026-07-01.