Con Edison Net Metering: How to Apply and Get Credited (Step-by-Step)

By Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Con Edison net metering lets homeowners in its New York City and Westchester service territory send excess solar electricity back to the grid and receive credits on their monthly bill. This guide explains how the program works, what you need to qualify, the steps to apply, and how to make sure your credits show up correctly. If you are planning a home solar system or already have panels, you will finish with a clear checklist for getting your net metering set up and keeping it that way.

How Con Edison Net Metering Works

Net metering is a billing arrangement, not a separate piece of hardware. Your solar system produces electricity, your home uses what it needs first, and any surplus flows out to the grid through your utility meter. The meter runs backward during those periods, and the utility nets the exported energy against the energy you pull from the grid. At the end of the billing cycle, you pay only for the net amount you consumed.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Net Metering in Virginia vs Virginia Community Solar: Which Should You Choose?.

In practice, a sunny afternoon when you are away from home might produce 6 kWh more than you use. That 6 kWh offsets electricity you draw at night or on a cloudy morning. If your system exports more than you import over a full billing period, the surplus typically carries forward as a credit rather than disappearing. How that carryover is handled depends on current utility tariff terms, so confirm the exact treatment in your interconnection agreement.

Who Qualifies

Eligibility depends on your account type, system size, and whether your installation meets Con Edison’s interconnection standards. Residential customers with on-site generation are the core audience, but the utility sets limits on system capacity relative to your historical demand. Oversized systems may need a different tariff or a modified interconnection review.

Before you start, check these basics:

• Your home is served by Con Edison and you are the account holder of record.
• Your system is sized to roughly match or modestly exceed your annual consumption, not dramatically exceed it.
• Your inverter is listed as certified to the IEEE 1547 interconnection standard and UL 1741 safety testing.
• A licensed electrician or qualified installer will perform the work and sign required documents.
• You have current electrical service that meets local code, with no open permits or unresolved violations.

Requirements change over time, so verify the current interconnection rules directly with Con Edison before purchasing equipment.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Enrolled

The enrollment process follows a fixed sequence. Skipping a step usually means a delayed permission to operate, which means no credits and no legal export of power.

1. Size your system. Pull 12 months of usage from your Con Edison account. Your annual kWh total is the starting point for system design. Your installer will model production based on roof orientation, tilt, and shading.
2. Submit the interconnection application. Your installer typically files this on your behalf. It describes the system size, inverter model, and point of connection to your electrical panel.
3. Obtain local permits. Building and electrical permits are issued by your municipality, and inspections are required before the system can be energized.
4. Install the system. This includes racking, module wiring, inverter, a utility-accessible AC disconnect, and any required labeling.
5. Pass inspection. The local inspector checks the installation. Once passed, the paperwork moves to the utility.
6. Receive permission to operate (PTO). Con Edison reviews the file, may request a witness test or meter change, and issues PTO. Do not energize the system until you have written approval.
7. Confirm your billing treatment. Check that your account reflects the solar arrangement and that your bill shows exported kWh and credits.

Equipment Checklist

• Utility-interactive inverter with IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 certification
• Visible-break AC disconnect within sight of the utility meter
• Production meter or inverter data logging, if required by the utility
• Rapid shutdown equipment that meets current electrical code
• Labeling on the main panel and service entrance per code

Documents to Keep

• Signed interconnection agreement
• Approved permit and final inspection report
• Permission to operate letter from Con Edison
• Equipment spec sheets and serial numbers
• Copies of your last 12 months of bills

Reading Your Bill and Tracking Credits

A net metering bill has more line items than a standard bill. Look for kWh delivered from the grid, kWh exported to the grid, and any credit balance carried forward. Compare these figures month to month to see whether your system is performing as modeled.

If your monthly inverter production numbers do not roughly match the exported kWh on your bill, contact Con Edison and ask for a meter read review. Discrepancies can come from meter configuration, inverter data errors, or a mismatch in the billing setup.

Common Mistakes

• Energizing before PTO. Running a system without written approval can void your interconnection and create safety risk for utility workers.
• Oversizing the system. A large array may exceed what the utility allows for your account, causing delays or redesign.
• Ignoring the inverter log. Without monitoring, you may not notice a fault for months, which means lost production and lost credits.
• Assuming the bill will drop to zero. Fixed delivery and service charges still apply, so your bill may stay above zero even with a well-sized system.
• Forgetting to update the utility after changes. Adding panels, batteries, or changing inverters may require a new application.

Tips for Better Results

• Get at least two quotes from licensed installers who have worked with Con Edison interconnections before.
• Ask the installer to model production using your actual roof and shading data, not a generic estimate.
• Set up inverter alerts on your phone so you know about outages or faults quickly.
• Photograph your installation before the panels are covered so you have a record for insurance and future work.
• Review your bill during the first three full billing cycles to confirm credits are applied as expected.

For context on how New York’s broader program compares to other approaches, see New York Net Metering: How It Works and How to Get Credited (Step-by-Step). If your bill is not dropping as expected after installation, Why Is My Net Metering Electricity Bill Still High? 6 Causes and Fixes walks through the most common causes. Homeowners weighing different billing options may also find Solar Net Metering Requirements: What You Need to Qualify (Step-by-Step) useful for a general checklist. If you are reviewing a sample statement, Solar Net Metering Bill Example PDF: How to Read Yours Step by Step shows line-by-line what to expect. For a broader sense of the financial case, see What Is the Benefit of Net Metering for Home Solar Owners?.

Recommended gear

A few pieces of equipment make the monitoring and compliance side of net metering easier to manage.

• Enphase Envoy gateway: Provides system-level production data and alerts for microinverter setups, making it easier to match your inverter output against exported kWh on your bill. View on Amazon
• SolarEdge monitoring module: Offers panel-level or string-level data logging for optimized systems, helpful when troubleshooting production gaps. View on Amazon
• Fluke 1587 insulation multimeter: A professional-grade meter useful for verifying voltage and continuity during commissioning or service checks. View on Amazon

FAQ

Does Con Edison pay cash for excess solar?

Net metering generally applies bill credits rather than cash payments. Any excess credit handling depends on current tariff terms, so confirm the specifics in your interconnection agreement.

How long does enrollment take?

Timelines vary with permitting, inspection scheduling, and utility review. Many homeowners wait several weeks to a few months from application to permission to operate.

Can I add batteries to a net metered system?

Batteries are often allowed but may require an amended application and different equipment ratings. Check with Con Edison before purchase.

Will my bill go to zero?

Not usually. Fixed delivery and service charges generally remain, so a small balance is common even with a well-matched system.

What happens during a power outage?

Grid-tied systems shut down during outages for safety. Without a battery and transfer switch designed for backup, your panels will not power your home.

Do I need a new meter?

Many installations require a bidirectional meter so exported energy is recorded. The utility will tell you whether a meter change is needed during review.

Who should I contact about a billing problem?

Start with Con Edison customer service and request a review of your meter reads. If the issue is not resolved, ask about escalation through the New York Public Service Commission complaint process.

Because electrical work carries real safety risk and interconnection rules change, consult a licensed electrician and your utility before making decisions.

Conclusion

Con Edison net metering rewards homeowners who size their system carefully, follow the interconnection steps in order, and monitor their bills after installation. Confirm eligibility early, keep your paperwork organized, and do not energize the system until you have written permission to operate. With those pieces in place, your solar exports will translate into credits you can see on every bill.

Related reading

• What Is a Net Metering Bridge Rider? Meaning, Costs and Fixes

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home solar guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.