You’ve installed solar panels to eliminate your electric bill, but how does the utility company know how much you produce? Enter Net Metering, the policy that makes solar financially viable in Florida.
What is Net Metering?
Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. In simple terms:
- Daytime: Your panels produce more energy than your home uses. The excess flows back to FPL (Florida Power & Light).
- Nighttime: Your panels stop producing, so you pull electricity from FPL.
- The Trade: FPL credits you 1-for-1. For every kWh you send them, they give you a credit to use at night.
The Goal: Net Zero
If your system is sized correctly, your goal is to produce enough excess energy during the day to cover your usage at night. At the end of the month, you only pay the inevitable “minimum connection fee” (usually around $25) required to stay connected to the grid.
Can I Sell Excess Power?
Yes. If you produce more energy than you consume over the entire year, the utility company will typically pay you for the surplus energy at the end of the 12-month cycle, although this rate is usually lower than the retail rate.
Is Net Metering Guaranteed?
Florida currently has strong net metering laws, but utility companies frequently lobby to change them. This is why “grandfathering” is important. By installing solar now, you lock in the current favorable net metering agreement (Tier 1) for decades, protecting your investment from future policy changes.
Stop renting your power. Schedule a consultation to size a system that eliminates your monthly FPL bill.
