Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

A net energy metering true-up is the annual reconciliation where your utility totals up the electricity your home solar system exported to the grid and the electricity you pulled from it over a 12-month period, then settles the difference. In this guide you will learn how the true-up is calculated, what the terms on your bill mean, which settings and records affect your result, and how to spot errors before they cost you money.

What a Net Energy Metering True-Up Actually Does

Under most net metering arrangements, your meter spins forward when you draw power from the grid and runs backward (or is tracked separately) when your panels send surplus power out. Month to month, the utility nets those flows against each other. If you exported more than you imported, you carry a credit forward. If you imported more, you owe for the shortfall.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Dominion Energy Net Metering vs Battery Backup: Which Should You Choose?.

The true-up is the point where that running balance gets reset. Many utilities do this once a year, usually on your anniversary of interconnection or on a fixed billing cycle. Any leftover credit is either rolled into the next year, paid out at a set rate, or forfeited, depending on your tariff. Some utilities also apply a true-up monthly for certain rate classes, so check your own rules rather than assuming an annual cycle.

Why the true-up matters more than monthly bills

Monthly bills can look alarming in spring and early summer, when panels produce heavily, and then look low in winter. The true-up evens that out. A system that overproduces in May and underproduces in December may finish the year close to zero net usage, which is the outcome most homeowners are aiming for. If you only watch individual bills, you may miss the annual number that actually determines your year-end position.

Key Terms on Your Statement

Utility statements use a lot of abbreviations. Before you trust any reconciliation, confirm what each line refers to.

Term What it means Where to find it
Energy imported (kWh) Electricity you took from the grid Usage or consumption section
Energy exported (kWh) Surplus solar sent to the grid Generation or credit section
Net kWh Imported minus exported for the period Summary or true-up table
Carryover credit Unused credit moved to the next period Balance forward line
Annual settlement Final reconciliation at true-up date Year-end statement
Export rate Price per kWh for surplus, if paid out Tariff or rider section

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your True-Up

Work through these steps each year, ideally a few weeks before the true-up date so there is time to raise questions.

  1. Find your true-up date. Check your interconnection agreement or the utility’s net metering page. It may differ from your regular billing cycle.
  2. Collect the monthly statements covering the full 12-month window. Download them from the utility portal if paper copies are not available.
  3. Record imported and exported kWh for each month. A simple spreadsheet with three columns (month, imported, exported) is enough.
  4. Add the totals. Subtract exported from imported to get your annual net. A negative number means you have a surplus credit.
  5. Compare your totals to the utility’s year-end summary. Small differences from rounding are normal. Differences of several percent or more deserve a call.
  6. Confirm the carryover or payout. Check whether unused credit rolls forward, is paid at a stated rate, or expires under your tariff.
  7. Keep the statement. Store it with your interconnection paperwork in case of a later dispute.

Checking your system output independently

Your utility meter is the legal record, but an independent monitor helps you verify it. Many inverters include a web portal or app that reports daily production. Summing those figures and comparing them against the export numbers on your bill can reveal a metering fault or a misconfigured inverter. Monitoring tools vary in how they report export, so confirm that your device measures grid export at the point of interconnection rather than only panel output.

Factors that shift your result

  • Seasonal load. Air conditioning and electric heat can push import well above export in certain months.
  • EV charging. A vehicle charging overnight can erase a large share of daytime surplus.
  • Battery storage. A battery changes when energy is exported and may reduce net export, depending on your tariff.
  • System size changes. Adding panels mid-year can alter the interconnected capacity your agreement covers.
  • Tariff type. Time-of-use rates can make a kWh exported at noon worth a different amount than a kWh imported at 7 p.m.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Assuming the true-up date matches the bill date. It often does not.
  • Ignoring a carryover credit, then losing it because it expires under the rules.
  • Comparing a single bad month to the annual result instead of looking at the full period.
  • Missing a meter swap or replacement, which can break the continuity of your records.
  • Changing equipment or adding load without checking whether it affects your net metering agreement.
  • Accepting an estimated read without requesting an actual read.

Tips for a Smoother Year-End

  • Set a calendar reminder 30 days before your true-up date.
  • Log your monthly kWh in a shared file so the numbers are easy to review.
  • Ask your utility in writing how carryover credits are treated and whether they ever expire.
  • If your production is consistently far below expectation, have the system inspected before assuming the meter is wrong.
  • Read your interconnection agreement once a year; utilities sometimes update tariffs and riders.

For context on how different programs handle these settlements, see SCE Net Energy Metering Program: How It Works and Who Qualifies and Virtual Net Energy Metering vs Physical Net Metering: Which Is Better?. If your bill still looks high after settlement, Why Is My Net Metering Electricity Bill Still High? 6 Causes and Fixes walks through the most common causes. Homeowners in Pennsylvania should also review PPL Net Metering Program vs Standard Grid Export: Which Should You Choose?.

A few tools make the annual reconciliation easier to verify. The items below are general-purpose and do not replace your utility’s official records.

  • Solar production monitor for your inverter brand lets you log daily generation so you can compare it with the export figures on your statement. View on Amazon
  • Clamp-on power meter helps you check how much a specific appliance or EV charger draws, which explains import spikes. View on Amazon
  • Spreadsheet-friendly plug-in energy monitor tracks household consumption by outlet so you can see where usage comes from. View on Amazon

FAQ

What happens if I export more than I import over the year?

Your utility will typically carry the surplus forward as a credit, but the rules vary. Some tariffs pay out excess credit at a set rate once a year, and others let it expire. Check your tariff language to see which applies.

Is the true-up the same as my monthly bill?

No. Monthly bills show the running balance for that period. The true-up is the annual settlement that resets or closes that balance.

Can I request a true-up date change?

Some utilities allow a change to align the date with your billing cycle, while others do not. Ask your utility directly and get the answer in writing.

Why does my true-up differ from my solar monitor?

Monitors measure panel output, while the utility meter measures what crosses the service connection. Self-consumption, inverter losses and monitoring errors all create differences. Look for a consistent pattern rather than a one-time gap.

Do battery systems change how the true-up works?

They can. Batteries shift when energy leaves your home, which may change net export and, in some tariffs, the value of that export. Confirm the treatment with your utility before installing storage.

What records should I keep?

Keep all monthly statements, the year-end settlement, your interconnection agreement, and any correspondence about meter reads or tariff changes.

Should I hire a professional to check my true-up?

For most homeowners, a careful review of the statements is enough. If you see a large discrepancy, a dispute, or a complex tariff, consult a licensed electrician or your state’s consumer advocate for advice.

Conclusion

The net energy metering true-up is where your annual solar balance is settled, so it deserves a yearly check. Gather your monthly statements, total imports and exports, and confirm how any surplus is treated. Catching a mismatch early is far easier than resolving it after the credit has expired.

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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.