What Is Net Metering?
Net metering is a billing arrangement that allows Florida solar homeowners to send excess electricity back to the grid in exchange for credits on their utility bill. Think of it as your electric meter running in reverse when your solar panels produce more energy than your home consumes.
During sunny daytime hours, your system often generates more power than you need. Instead of wasting that energy, it flows to the grid and your utility company credits you for every kilowatt-hour exported.
How Net Metering Works in Florida
Florida's net metering policy works on a monthly billing cycle:
- Daytime: Your panels produce electricity. Anything you don't use goes to the grid, and you earn credits.
- Nighttime: When your panels aren't producing, you draw power from the grid and use your banked credits.
- Monthly bill: Your utility calculates the difference between what you exported and what you imported.
- Excess credits: Any surplus credits roll over to the next month at the full retail rate.
This means your solar panels are working for you even when you're not home — every kilowatt-hour they produce either powers your home or earns you a credit.
Which Florida Utilities Offer Net Metering?
All major Florida utilities are required to offer net metering:
- Florida Power & Light (FPL) — Serves South Florida, East Coast, and parts of Central Florida
- Duke Energy Florida — Serves Central and North-Central Florida
- Tampa Electric (TECO) — Serves the Tampa Bay area
- JEA — Serves Jacksonville and surrounding areas
- Gulf Power — Serves the Florida Panhandle
Each utility has slightly different interconnection processes, but the core net metering benefit is consistent across Florida.
How Much Can You Save With Net Metering?
Net metering can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your electric bill. Here's a typical example:
| Month | Solar Production | Home Usage | Net | Bill Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 1,200 kWh | 1,000 kWh | +200 kWh | 200 kWh credit |
| July | 1,100 kWh | 1,400 kWh | -300 kWh | Use credits + pay 100 kWh |
Over the course of a year, a properly sized solar system can offset 90-100% of your electricity costs through net metering.
Tips to Maximize Your Net Metering Benefits
- Size your system correctly: Aim for a system that produces 100-110% of your annual usage
- Shift heavy usage to daytime: Run your dishwasher, laundry, and pool pump during peak solar hours
- Consider a battery: A Tesla Powerwall lets you store excess energy instead of sending it to the grid, giving you more control
- Monitor your production: Use your solar monitoring app to track generation and usage patterns
The Future of Net Metering in Florida
Net metering policies can change, and several states have already modified their programs. Florida's current policy remains favorable for homeowners, but there's no guarantee it will stay that way indefinitely. Homeowners who install solar now are typically grandfathered into the current net metering rates for 20 years.
Lock in your net metering benefits today. Get a free solar quote from Osiris Power.