Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Eversource net metering rates determine how much your home solar system is credited for electricity it sends back to the grid. In this guide, you will learn how Eversource measures your exports and imports, how those numbers turn into bill credits, and what to check so your credits are applied correctly. Eversource serves homes in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and the details vary by state, so this guide points out where those differences matter.

Understanding How Eversource Net Metering Works

Net metering lets a solar homeowner send surplus power to the utility grid and receive credit against future electricity use. Your meter tracks two things: energy you pull from the grid and energy your panels export to it. The difference is what you are billed for, or credited for, in a given billing period.

Shopping for one? See our guide: LADWP Net Metering Rates (2026): Which Is Better for Your Home?.

In practice, a sunny afternoon when your panels produce more than your home uses creates exports. At night, when the panels are idle, you draw from the grid. Net metering nets those two flows against each other over the billing cycle, so you pay only for the net amount you consumed.

Eversource has operated under different program structures depending on state and on when your system was interconnected. Some customers are on traditional net metering, while others, particularly in Connecticut, have moved to net billing for newer systems. Confirm which program applies to your account before you size or budget a system. For a direct comparison, see Eversource CT Net Metering vs Net Billing: Which Is Better for Your Home?.

Step 1: Confirm Your Program and Rate Category

Your credit depends on the rate schedule attached to your account. Eversource rate schedules differ for residential customers, and the rate you are on determines whether exports are valued at the full retail rate or at a lower avoided-cost rate.

  1. Log in to your Eversource account and locate your current rate schedule on a recent bill.
  2. Note whether your bill shows a supply charge, a delivery charge and a separate line for generation credits.
  3. Call Eversource or check your interconnection agreement to confirm whether your system is under net metering or net billing.
  4. Record the date your system was approved to operate, because program rules often depend on that date.

What to Look for on Your Bill

Solar customers usually see a line showing kilowatt-hours exported, kilowatt-hours imported and a net figure. Some bills show a dollar credit carried forward to the next month. If you only see total usage with no export data, your meter may not be configured for bidirectional measurement, and you should contact Eversource to fix it.

Step 2: Understand How Exports Are Valued

The value of each exported kilowatt-hour is where most confusion arises. Under full retail net metering, exports offset imports at the retail rate, which includes delivery charges. Under net billing or a successor structure, exports are often credited at a supply or avoided-cost rate that is lower than the retail price you pay for imports.

This is why two homes with identical systems can produce very different bill savings. Your export value matters most when you produce far more than you use in summer, or when you have a large mismatch between daytime generation and evening demand.

Factor Full Retail Net Metering Net Billing or Avoided-Cost Credit
Export value Close to the retail rate you pay Typically lower than retail
Impact of self-consumption Moderate Higher; using power on site is worth more
Battery value Useful for shifting use Often stronger, since stored power displaces imports
Sizing strategy Can size larger for export Usually size closer to your annual use

Step 3: Calculate Your Expected Credit

You can estimate your monthly credit with simple arithmetic. Start with your system’s expected annual output, which your installer should provide in kilowatt-hours. Divide by twelve for an average month, then adjust for seasonal swings. Subtract the energy your home uses during daylight hours, since that power never reaches the grid.

  1. Find your annual production estimate in kWh, from your installer or a sizing calculator.
  2. Estimate the share of production that you will use directly during daylight hours, often a large portion for homes that are occupied during the day.
  3. Subtract that share to get your expected exports.
  4. Multiply exports by the export rate on your schedule to estimate the value of your credits.
  5. Compare that figure against the total bill you expect with no solar to judge your savings.

Example Calculation

Suppose a home produces 9,000 kWh per year and uses 10,500 kWh. If roughly 35 percent of production is used on site during the day, about 5,850 kWh is exported. Your net annual imports would then be around 1,500 kWh after credits are applied. Those are rough numbers, so update them with your real usage history and the actual rate schedule once you have it.

Step 4: Track Credits Month to Month

Credits can roll forward from one month to the next, and the treatment of any surplus at the end of the annual period varies by program. Check each bill for the carried-forward balance so you know whether you are building a credit or paying a true-up charge.

  • Save each monthly bill in a spreadsheet with columns for kWh exported, kWh imported and the credit balance.
  • Flag months where imports spike, such as winter heating or summer cooling.
  • Compare the annual totals against your production estimate to catch underperforming equipment early.

Step 5: Handle Changes That Affect Your Credit

Several events can change how your credit is calculated. Adding an electric vehicle, heat pump or large appliance raises your imports and lowers your net credit. Replacing or expanding the system can trigger a new interconnection review and possibly a new rate category. Moving, selling the home or changing your account holder also requires coordination with Eversource so the credit transfers cleanly.

If you plan a major change, notify Eversource before the work starts and ask how it will affect your rate schedule. For the broader picture of how credits are structured in the region, see What Is the Benefit of Net Metering for Home Solar Owners?.

Common Mistakes

  • Assuming all exports are valued at retail. Check whether your account uses net billing, since that changes your savings substantially.
  • Ignoring the carried-forward balance. A small credit left unused may expire or convert under annual rules, so track it.
  • Sizing only for the annual total. A system that massively overproduces in summer may still leave you with high winter bills.
  • Skipping the bill review. Billing errors happen, and a quick monthly check can catch missing export data.
  • Making big load changes without telling Eversource. A new heat pump or EV charger can shift which rate applies to you.

Tips for Getting the Most From Your Credits

  • Run heavy appliances like dishwashers, laundry and EV charging during peak sunlight hours to use your own power first.
  • Ask your installer for a production model that uses local weather data for your exact address.
  • Review your rate schedule each year, since Eversource rates and program terms can change.
  • If you are weighing a battery, compare how much stored power would displace imports under your current export rate.

A simple monitoring tool helps you check whether your system is producing what your estimate promised, which makes it easier to match credits against expected output.

  • Emporia Vue 3 lets you track circuit-level and total home usage in real time, so you can see when you are exporting and when you are drawing from the grid. View on Amazon
  • Sense Home Energy Monitor identifies individual appliances from their power signatures, which helps you shift loads into solar hours. View on Amazon

FAQ

Does Eversource pay cash for excess solar power?

Under most arrangements, excess generation is applied as a credit against future bills rather than paid out in cash. Some balances may be paid out at the end of the annual period, depending on program rules, so check your interconnection terms.

How do I know if I am on net metering or net billing?

Your interconnection agreement and your bill both indicate the program. If the documents are unclear, call Eversource customer service and ask for your program designation in writing.

Why are my monthly credits smaller than I expected?

Common causes include higher household usage, a shading problem, a lower export rate than assumed, or a rate schedule that values exports below retail. Compare your actual kWh exported against your production estimate to find the gap.

Do I need a new meter for net metering?

Most solar customers need a bidirectional meter so exports are recorded. Eversource typically arranges this during interconnection, but confirm it on your final approval paperwork.

Can I switch to a different rate schedule?

Some customers may be able to choose among available residential rate options. Compare the options using your actual usage pattern, and ask Eversource how a switch would affect any existing solar credits.

What happens to my credits if I move?

Credits generally stay with the account and property. If you sell or move, notify Eversource so the account can be transferred or closed correctly, and ask how any unused balance will be handled.

Do credits expire?

Depending on the program, unused credits may carry forward for a limited period or be settled at the annual true-up. Check your current terms, since these rules can change.

Should I consult a professional before sizing my system?

Yes. A licensed solar installer and, where needed, a tax or financial advisor can help you model credits, interconnection requirements and long-term savings for your specific home and rate schedule.

Conclusion

Eversource net metering rates come down to how your exports are valued and how your credits roll across the billing year. Confirm your program and rate schedule, estimate your exports, and track your bills monthly so you can spot problems early. Review the rules before any major system or appliance change, and check with Eversource or a licensed professional when the numbers do not match what you expect.

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Claire Whitaker

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.