Net Energy Metering (NEM) is a rate option that allows customers with an eligible renewable generating system to receive a credit for the surplus electricity supplied to the electric grid. This credit is applied to their energy bill to offset all or part of the costs associated with the energy consumed each month.

Your NEM account will continue to bill under your current NEM program until your 20-year eligibility period expires, or until your account loses eligibility to remain on the NEM program, whichever is earlier. When that occurs, your account will automatically move to the new Solar Billing Plan or the successor rate plan available at the time of transition. 

Under the current NEM rules, account changes, such as moving in or out of a residence with an NEM system or transferring the account to someone else’s name, do not affect the NEM eligibility period of the original system. 

We strongly recommend that you submit the application, Single Line Diagram, Plot Plan, signed Interconnection Agreement.

When you install solar, an electric panel upgrade is sometimes required by your local building and safety department, to ensure your electrical panel is up-to-code and can support an added electrical load.  

This is common in older homes and may be necessary depending on the specifics of your system, structure of your home, and changing electricity needs.  

Please note that upgrading your electric panel is not the same thing as reprogramming your electric meter. When you go solar, meter reprogramming will be a part of the process and will be handled by SCE and your contractor before you can operate your system.  

All customers participating in NEM must have a compatible meter to register the amount of electricity consumed from the grid, as well as any surplus energy your system generates and exports back to SCE. If your current meter is not compatible, we will replace or reprogram the meter as part of enrolling you in NEM.

When adding solar panels to your previously installed system, you must submit a new Interconnection Application with updated information about the changes made to the system, including both new and previously installed equipment. All revised applications follow the same process as any other interconnection request and will receive a new PTO.

To ensure that the system is operating safely and in compliance with our interconnection requirements, SCE recommends that customers not operate any additional equipment until SCE has issued the new PTO. 

For more information on this, please see the following question.

The SBP does not have a discharge requirement; however, please note that incentive programs, such as the Self-Generating Incentive Program (SGIP) may require battery discharge at regular intervals. 

The best way to maximize your solar generating system is to understand two things: how your system functions and how your rate plan works.

How your solar system functions: Solar generating systems capture sunlight and convert it into electricity that powers your home. For your system to work the best it can, it needs to be installed correctly, and maintained professionally. Here are a few things to keep in mind for installation and care:

• Placement: Your system functions best when it has direct access to sunlight throughout the day. Your contractor should determine optimal placement for your panels to capture direct sunlight during daytime hours.
• Sizing: Make sure you’re installing a large enough system to produce the energy you need. Your contractor can help decide what size system you need installed.
• Cleaning: Having your panels periodically cleaned and serviced by a licensed professional will help keep them operating at full capacity.

How your rate plan works: NEM 2.0 customers are placed on a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plan. A TOU plan prices energy more affordably during off-peak hours, which include the daytime hours of 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., when your panels will be capturing sunlight. Shifting energy use to these hours, instead of times when your system isn’t producing energy (such as at night or when it’s cloudy), will help you use more solar energy, and less grid energy overall, at the most affordable price during the day. Here are a few tips for shifting energy to make the most of your system: 

• Shift major appliance and equipment use to off-peak daytime hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) when your solar generating system is active.
• Try not to use too many appliances simultaneously during the day, so your system can keep up.
  Run your pool pump during the daytime.

• Consider investing in a battery storage system to keep more of your self-generated energy for use at night when electricity costs can be higher.

  You can always view your usage history by logging into My Account online. You’ll be able to see when your system is generating more than you’re using (excess electricity that is exported to the grid) and when you’re consuming energy from the grid. This can help you find opportunities to shift your usage going forward.

Yes, NEM-A Billing is now available through MyAccount.

All accounts included in a NEM-A arrangement will be billed solo. Summary billing is not available for NEM-A accounts.