Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Net metering systems in Clovis let your home solar array send extra electricity to the grid and receive credit on your utility bill for it. This guide walks you through how the arrangement works, what your system needs before it can connect, and how to check that your credits are being applied correctly. Most of the work happens before your panels are switched on, so the planning steps matter as much as the hardware.

How Net Metering Works for a Clovis Home

Your solar array produces direct current, which your inverter converts to the alternating current your home uses. When your panels produce more than your household consumes, the surplus flows out to the grid through the utility meter. When your home needs more power than the panels provide, such as at night, you draw from the grid as usual. The utility tracks both directions and bills you for the net difference over the billing period.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 6 Best On-Grid Solar System Without Net Metering Picks for 2026.

Clovis residents are served by Pacific Gas and Electric, and the terms of any credits depend on the rate schedule and current program rules in effect at the time you interconnect. Confirm the specifics with the utility before you commit to a design, since rules for export credits have changed over the past several years. For background on the basic mechanics, see Solar System Net Metering: How It Works and What Homeowners Should Know.

Steps to Get a Net Metering System Approved

  1. Review your last 12 months of electricity use. Your utility bills show your monthly kilowatt-hour totals. Size the system to match your annual consumption rather than a single high or low month.
  2. Check roof orientation and shading. South-facing roof planes in the Central Valley typically receive the strongest sun. Note any trees or neighboring structures that cast shadows during midday.
  3. Hire a licensed installer or confirm your own qualifications. California requires a contractor license for most solar work, and permit requirements vary by jurisdiction. Check with the City of Clovis building department.
  4. Submit an interconnection application. The utility must review and approve the system before it is energized. Include your single-line diagram, equipment specifications and the system size in kilowatts.
  5. Install a bidirectional meter if required. The utility will typically replace or program your meter so it records both imported and exported energy.
  6. Schedule the final inspection and permission to operate. Do not switch the array on until you have written approval from the utility.

What Affects Your Credits

Several factors determine how much value your exports earn. The rate schedule you are on matters most, because the price paid for exported energy often differs from the price you pay for imported energy, and time-of-use rates can shift that gap by hour. Panel orientation and tilt affect when production peaks relative to your household demand. System size relative to annual use determines whether you end the year with a surplus credit or a balance you still owe.

Factor Why it matters
Rate schedule Sets the value of exported and imported kWh
Time of day Solar output peaks midday, which may not match peak rate periods
System size Oversizing can create surplus credits that may expire or carry over under the rules
Shading Reduces production and therefore exports

Reading Your Monthly Statement

Your statement should show imported kWh, exported kWh and any net balance carried forward. Compare the exported figure against your inverter’s production log for the same period. Large gaps can signal a metering error, a clipped inverter setting or a shaded string, and they are worth raising with the utility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Energizing the system before receiving written permission to operate.
  • Sizing the array for future purchases, such as an electric vehicle, without confirming how surplus credits are handled.
  • Ignoring monitoring alerts, which can hide a failed panel or inverter for months.
  • Assuming a rate schedule stays the same for the life of the system.
  • Skipping a review of the interconnection agreement, which lists your responsibilities as a generator.

A revenue-grade or monitoring-capable clamp meter helps you verify household load readings against your utility data. View on Amazon

A solar-rated multimeter lets you check open-circuit voltage and string polarity during commissioning. View on Amazon

FAQ

Do I need a special meter for net metering in Clovis?

Most systems require a bidirectional meter that records both imported and exported energy. The utility usually installs or programs it as part of the interconnection process.

Can I add more panels later?

You can expand a system, but the change typically requires a new interconnection review. Check with the utility before buying additional equipment.

What happens to credits I do not use by year end?

Treatment of annual surplus depends on the current tariff and program rules. Ask the utility how any remaining balance is settled before you finalize your system size.

Conclusion

A net metering system in Clovis works best when you size it to your real usage, confirm the rate schedule and complete every approval step before energizing. Monitor your exports against your utility statements to catch problems early. Because electrical and permitting rules change, consult a licensed solar professional and the utility before making final decisions.

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.