Ethan BrooksBy Ethan Brooks

Updated November 2026

El paso electric solar net metering lets homeowners who generate their own power send extra electricity back to the grid and receive bill credits for it. In this guide you will learn how the process works with El Paso Electric, what paperwork and equipment you need before you start, and how to check that your credits are showing up correctly each month.

How Net Metering Works With El Paso Electric

Your solar system generates electricity whenever the sun is shining. Power you use in your home goes to your appliances first. When your panels produce more than you are using, the surplus flows out to the utility grid through your meter. The meter spins backward or records that export, and the utility credits your account at the applicable rate. At night, or on cloudy days when your panels produce less than you need, you draw power from the grid as usual and draw down those credits.

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

Credits are normally tracked over your billing cycle, so the net result is what matters on your statement. If you export more than you import over the period, you can carry a balance forward, though the exact rules for carrying credits and any year-end settlement depend on your rate schedule and the current El Paso Electric tariff. Read the tariff language that applies to your account rather than relying on general descriptions.

Steps to Get Your Solar System Approved

Most homeowners go through the same sequence of steps. Treat the interconnection approval as mandatory: never energize a system that the utility has not reviewed. We also found Net Metering Solar Inverter: How It Works and How to Size One useful on this point.

  1. Confirm your home is in El Paso Electric’s service territory and that your account is in good standing.
  2. Have a licensed installer design the system and confirm the inverter is listed to the current interconnection standard (UL 1741 is the common reference).
  3. Submit an interconnection application with your system size, panel and inverter specifications, and a single-line diagram.
  4. Wait for written approval. Do not turn on the system before you receive it.
  5. Have the utility or an authorized inspector install or verify the bidirectional meter, if required for your setup.
  6. Pass the local electrical inspection, then receive permission to operate (PTO) from the utility.

What Affects Your Net Metering Credits

Several factors determine how much value you actually get from exports. Check each one before you finalize your system design.

  • System size: Most utilities cap residential interconnected capacity, so size the array to your annual usage rather than to your roof area.
  • Orientation and shading: South-facing arrays in West Texas sun typically produce more, and shade from trees or parapets lowers output noticeably.
  • Rate structure: Time-of-use and demand charges change when your exports are valued, so exports at peak times may be worth more or less than off-peak ones.
  • Self-consumption: Power you use directly is worth the full retail rate. Running large loads during daylight raises that share.
Item Why it matters
Bidirectional meter Records both imports and exports so credits can be calculated
Interconnection approval Required before the system can legally operate
Inverter certification Ensures safe grid behavior during outages
Monthly bill review Confirms credits are applied at the correct rate

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Turning the system on before receiving written permission to operate.
  • Oversizing the array far beyond your annual consumption, which leaves surplus exports at lower value.
  • Ignoring your rate schedule when deciding which appliances to run during the day.
  • Failing to check the first few bills, which is the fastest way to catch a metering or setup error.

Net metering rules and rates change, so confirm current terms with El Paso Electric and a licensed electrician or solar installer before you commit. Electrical work carries real safety risk, and an inspector should verify the final installation.

A basic clamp meter helps you verify that circuits and loads match what you expect when you test your home’s usage patterns. View on Amazon

A standalone energy monitor with a home circuit display lets you see real-time production and consumption so you can time large loads for daylight hours. View on Amazon

FAQ

Do I need a special meter for El Paso Electric solar net metering?

In most cases the utility requires a bidirectional meter that records both the power you draw and the power you export. Your interconnection approval will specify whether a meter change is needed.

Can I carry unused credits to the next month?

Often you can, but the treatment of excess credits depends on your rate schedule and current El Paso Electric policy. Check your tariff or ask the utility directly.

How do I know my credits are being applied correctly?

Compare your monthly statement against your system’s production data and your exported kilowatt-hours. If the numbers do not line up, contact the utility with your meter readings and ask for a review.

Conclusion

El paso electric solar net metering works best when you size your system to your real usage, get interconnection approval before switching on, and review your bills regularly. Follow the approval steps in order and keep records of every submission. A licensed professional can confirm the details for your specific account.

Ready to choose one?

Ethan Brooks

About Ethan Brooks

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