Net Metering, in Plain English - A Guide for Ohio Homes
Last verified: September 2026
When your panels make more than you use, net metering credits you for the extra. Here's how that works in plain English — including why Ohio co-ops may differ from the big utilities. Questions? Call (330) 200-8042.
Net Metering, at a Glance
Net metering is simply how your utility credits you for the extra power your panels send to the grid. You build credits on sunny days and spend them at night — usually as a credit against your usage, not a check. In Ohio, the big investor-owned utilities must offer it (up to a size cap), while rural co-ops and city utilities may not. The rules vary and change, so this guide keeps the numbers general and points you to your own utility. There's a printable 29-page version up top.
Common Questions
1 What is net metering?
It's an arrangement where your utility credits you for extra solar power you send to the grid. Your meter counts power both ways, and you spend those credits when you draw from the grid at night or on cloudy days.
2 Does the utility pay me cash for my extra power?
Usually not — it's typically a credit against your usage that lowers your bill, not a payment. Some utilities handle surplus differently, so ask yours, but don't plan on a check in the mail.
3 Will net metering zero out my electric bill?
No. Most utilities charge a fixed monthly fee to stay connected, and you still buy power at night. Net metering shrinks the bill — it doesn't erase it. Be wary of anyone who promises a zero bill.
4 I'm on a rural co-op. Do I get net metering?
Maybe. In Ohio, co-ops and city utilities aren't required to offer net metering, though some do on their own terms. Ask yours directly — if the credit is weak, a battery for self-use may make more sense.
5 Can my net-metering deal change later?
Yes. The rules are reviewed over time by regulators (in Ohio, the PUCO) and utilities, and can be revised. Verify current terms before you sign, and build a plan that still works if the credit shrinks a little.
6 Should I build the biggest system my roof allows?
Not necessarily. Many plans credit the power you actually use more generously than large surpluses, and there are size caps. A system sized to your real usage is often the sweet spot — your installer can advise.
Would You Rather I Just Help?
Net metering leaves a lot of folks scratching their heads, and utility fine print doesn't help. I'll explain how it works for your specific utility and help you read your solar-era bill — in plain English, with nothing to sell you. $99 flat for a visit, 30-day come-back-free.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).