Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Hydro One net metering lets an Ontario homeowner with a solar system send extra electricity to the grid and receive a credit on the electricity bill. This guide walks you through the core rules, the application steps, and the checks that keep your credits accurate. Use it as a working checklist before you contact the utility.

How Hydro One Net Metering Works

Your solar array produces electricity during the day. Whatever your home does not use flows out to the grid, and your meter records it. Over a billing period, the power you export offsets the power you import, so you pay only for the net difference. Any surplus is typically carried forward as a credit rather than paid out in cash. For a broader overview of the concept, see What Is Net Metering for Solar Panels? A Homeowner's Plain-English Guide.

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

Steps to Apply for Net Metering with Hydro One

Before installation, you need the utility’s approval. The general sequence is below, though the exact forms and timelines can change, so confirm current requirements directly with Hydro One.

  1. Confirm your system size falls within the limits for net metering rather than a larger program.
  2. Have a licensed electrical contractor prepare the system design and single-line diagram.
  3. Submit the connection and net metering application to Hydro One with the design documents.
  4. Wait for written approval before energizing the inverter or connecting to the grid.
  5. Arrange the bi-directional meter installation or upgrade if Hydro One requires it.
  6. Keep copies of all approvals, inspection reports and meter records.

Checking That Your Credits Are Applied Correctly

Once the system is running, compare your bills with your inverter production data. Export and import readings should match the meter, and credits should roll forward month to month. If something looks wrong, it is often a metering or billing setup issue rather than a solar problem. For troubleshooting, see Why Is My Net Metering Electricity Bill Still High? 6 Causes and Fixes.

Key Factors That Affect Your Credit

  • How much solar you produce compared with what your home uses
  • When you use power, since daytime exports are credited against evening imports
  • Whether your billing period and credit carry-forward rules match your expectations
  • Any changes to your rate structure or program terms

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Energizing the system before receiving written approval from the utility.
  • Assuming all solar setups qualify equally. Program rules differ by system size and type.
  • Ignoring the production data from your inverter. Compare it with your bills monthly.
  • Forgetting to report changes to your system, such as added panels or a battery.
  • Skipping the paperwork. Keep every approval and inspection record in one folder.

A basic monitoring tool helps you check production against your bills. Many inverters include an app, but a standalone energy monitor can show household consumption too. Look for a clamp-on monitor that reads current on your main service and reports to a phone app. View on Amazon

A non-contact voltage tester is useful for checking that circuits are dead before any work near your panel. View on Amazon

FAQ

Does Hydro One pay cash for excess solar power?

Under net metering, surplus generation is usually credited against future bills rather than paid as cash. Check your current program terms with Hydro One for how credits are settled at the end of a period.

Can I install solar before getting approval?

You should wait for written approval before connecting to the grid. Installing equipment earlier is generally fine, but energizing it without authorization can lead to delays or penalties.

Who should I contact about a billing problem?

Start with Hydro One’s customer service and provide your meter readings and inverter production data. If the issue remains unresolved, a licensed electrician or solar installer can help review the system setup.

Conclusion

Hydro One net metering works best when you secure approval before connecting, document everything, and check your bills against production data. Treat the process as a monthly routine rather than a one-time setup. If anything in your application or billing is unclear, confirm the details with the utility and a licensed professional before making changes.

Ready to choose one?

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.