Seattle City Light Net Metering: How It Works and How to Apply

By Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

Seattle City Light net metering lets a homeowner with a rooftop or ground-mounted solar system send surplus electricity to the grid and receive credit against future bills. This guide walks through who qualifies, how to size and document your system, what the interconnection application involves, and how to read the credits once you are running. By the end, you should know which steps to complete first and what to ask your installer before you sign anything.

Seattle City Light is the municipally owned utility serving Seattle and several surrounding areas. Because it is a city utility rather than an investor-owned company, its program rules, rate structure, and interconnection process can differ from those of the large private utilities covered elsewhere. Read the current utility documents directly and confirm details with the utility before committing to a system, since tariffs and program terms change.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Duquesne Light Net Metering Program (2026): Which Is Better for Homeowners?.

Who Qualifies for Seattle City Light Net Metering

Eligibility for net metering generally depends on the type of customer, the generation technology, and the size of the system relative to the customer’s load. Most residential homeowners with an existing Seattle City Light service account and a grid-tied solar array will fall within the residential category, but you should confirm the specific criteria in the current tariff.

Typical factors the utility reviews include:

• Your service address is inside Seattle City Light’s service territory and your meter is in your name.
• The system is a grid-tied photovoltaic array connected behind your own meter.
• The system size is intended mainly to offset your own consumption, not to produce power for resale.
• The equipment meets applicable electrical codes and the utility’s interconnection standards.
• Your account is current and the property has no unresolved electrical or code issues.

Check System Size Against Your Usage

Most net metering programs are designed around self-consumption. Pull at least twelve months of past bills and add up your annual kilowatt-hour use. A system sized well above that total may face limits or a different rate treatment. Ask the utility how it calculates the allowable size for your account before you finalize a design.

Step-by-Step: Applying for Net Metering

The application process generally follows the same sequence for most grid-connected systems. Expect to move through a design review, an installation, a utility inspection, and a final approval before the system is energized and credits begin.

1. Gather your account information. Have your account number, service address, meter number, and twelve months of billing history ready.
2. Get a system design. Your installer should produce a single-line diagram, equipment specification sheets, and a site plan showing array location and roof dimensions.
3. Submit the interconnection application. The utility will review the design for technical compatibility, size, and protection requirements. Keep copies of everything you submit.
4. Receive utility approval to install. Do not energize the system before written approval. Equipment installed before approval can delay or void your interconnection.
5. Install the system and obtain the permit inspection. Your local building and electrical permits are separate from the utility process and must pass inspection.
6. Schedule the utility witness test or meter change. A bidirectional meter or a meter configuration change is often required so the utility can record exports.
7. Receive permission to operate. Only after written permission should you turn the system on in grid-tied mode.
8. Confirm your rate and billing setup. Verify how exported energy will be credited and whether any surplus rolls forward or is paid out at the end of a billing period.

Documents to Prepare

• Completed interconnection application form
• Site plan and roof layout with setbacks marked
• Single-line electrical diagram
• Inverter and module specification sheets, including UL or equivalent listings
• Structural or roof load information if requested
• Proof of insurance if the utility or installer requires it

How Net Metering Credits Appear on Your Bill

Net metering works by measuring the energy you import from the grid and the energy you export to it over a billing period. When you export more than you import, the surplus is typically carried forward as a credit. Some programs carry credits month to month, while others settle the balance once a year. Your bill should show imported kilowatt-hours, exported kilowatt-hours, and any net credit or charge.

Factors That Affect Your Savings

Net metering value depends on how well your system matches your consumption pattern. A solar array produces most of its energy midday, while many households use the most electricity in the early morning and evening. That timing gap means you will export at some hours and import at others, and the net result on your bill is what counts.

• Orientation and tilt. South-facing arrays in the Pacific Northwest typically produce well, but shading from trees is common and can cut output sharply.
• Seasonal output. Seattle receives substantially less sunlight in winter, so expect large seasonal swings in production and in net credits.
• Usage timing. Shifting laundry, dishwashing, and EV charging toward midday can increase the share of solar energy you use directly.
• Battery storage. A battery can capture midday production for evening use, though it changes the economics and the rules that apply.

Common Mistakes

• Energizing before approval. Turning on the inverter before written permission can trigger penalties or require removal.
• Sizing from a sales estimate alone. Use your own billing history to check the design, not just a quoted annual production number.
• Ignoring the meter request. Without the correct bidirectional metering, exports may not be credited.
• Assuming credits never expire. Check the carryover and annual settlement rules so surplus is not lost.
• Skipping permits. Utility approval does not replace city permits and inspections.

Tips for a Smoother Process

• Ask your installer who submits the interconnection application and who tracks its status.
• Keep a dated log of every submission, email, and inspection.
• Photograph the system before the roof is closed up, showing wiring and labels.
• Compare your first few bills against your production data to confirm credits are being applied.

For a broader comparison of how different utilities structure their programs, see Solar Net Metering Requirements: What You Need to Qualify (Step-by-Step) and What Is the Benefit of Net Metering for Home Solar Owners?. If your bill still looks high after installation, Why Is My Net Metering Electricity Bill Still High? 6 Causes and Fixes covers the most common reasons. Homeowners weighing a different rate structure may also find Washington State Net Metering (2026): Which Is Better for Homeowners? useful for regional context.

Recommended gear

A few inexpensive tools make it easier to verify your system’s output and your bills, which is the fastest way to catch a credit problem early.

• A clamp-on power meter lets you measure real-time current on a circuit so you can check whether an appliance is drawing from solar or the grid. View on Amazon
• A plug-in energy monitor tracks the consumption of individual appliances over time, useful for shifting loads toward midday production. View on Amazon
• A dedicated multimeter helps you verify voltage and continuity during a basic inspection of accessible wiring, though live work should be left to a licensed electrician. View on Amazon

FAQ

Does Seattle City Light pay cash for excess solar?

It depends on the current tariff. Some net metering arrangements carry surplus forward as kilowatt-hour credit, while others settle the balance at set intervals. Check the current rate schedule for exact terms.

Do I need a bidirectional meter?

Usually yes. A meter that records both imported and exported energy is generally needed so the utility can credit your surplus accurately. The utility will tell you whether a meter change is required.

How long does approval take?

Timelines vary with the utility’s workload, the complexity of your system, and whether any upgrades are needed. Ask for the current processing estimate when you submit.

Can I net meter a system I already installed?

Possibly, but only if you can document that the system meets current interconnection standards and was approved, or if the utility agrees to review it. Installing without approval often creates problems, so contact the utility first.

What happens to credits when I move?

Credit treatment on account transfer depends on the current tariff. Confirm with the utility how unused credits are handled before you sell or move out.

Will my fixed monthly charge go away?

Generally no. Basic service and connection charges typically still apply even when your net energy use is near zero.

Is a battery required?

No. A battery is optional. It can change how your exports are credited, so confirm the rules with the utility if you plan to add one.

Should I hire a licensed professional?

Yes. Electrical work, grid interconnection, and roof penetrations carry safety and code risks. A licensed electrician and a qualified installer familiar with Seattle City Light’s requirements can prevent costly rework.

Conclusion

Seattle City Light net metering rewards homeowners who size their system to their actual usage, follow the interconnection steps in order, and verify credits on every bill. Start by gathering your billing history and asking your installer for a design that matches it. Keep every document, wait for written approval before energizing, and check your first statements against your production data.

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.