Export credits are earned when your solar panels produce more electricity than your home uses. This excess energy is sent to the grid, and you receive credits that can be used to offset future energy charges. Your credits roll over month to month with no expiration as long as you're on our plan.
Understanding key terms
- Export credits: Billing credits earned when your solar panels send excess electricity to the grid
- kWh (kilowatt-hour): The unit of measurement for electricity—how energy is metered and billed
- Smart meter: Digital meter that tracks both your energy usage and solar exports in real-time
- TDU charges: Transmission and Distribution Utility charges—fees from your utility company for delivering power (cannot be offset by credits)
How do I earn export credits?
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home is currently using, the excess energy automatically flows to the electric grid. Your smart meter tracks this exported energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Example:
On a sunny afternoon, your solar panels produce 8 kWh of electricity, but your home only uses 3 kWh during that time. The remaining 5 kWh is exported to the grid, and you earn credits for those 5 kWh.
The value of your credits depends on your plan:
- 1:1 Match plan: You receive credits at the same rate you're charged for electricity usage. If your usage rate is 14¢/kWh, your exports are credited at 14¢/kWh.
- Saver plan: You receive credits at a competitive buyback rate that's disclosed upfront in your contract.
How do I use my export credits?
Your export credits automatically apply to offset your energy usage charges each billing cycle. Here's how it works:
Step 1: Usage charges calculated
Your bill calculates charges for the electricity you used from the grid (kWh × your rate).
Step 2: Credits applied
Your accumulated export credits are applied to reduce or eliminate your usage charges.
Step 3: Remaining balance
You pay any remaining balance plus your base fee and utility charges. Unused credits roll over to next month.
What else should I know about export credits?
What credits can offset
Export credits can only be used to offset energy usage charges. They cannot be applied to:
- Monthly base fees
- Utility delivery charges (TDU charges)
- Taxes or regulatory fees
Credit rollover
Your credits roll over month to month with no expiration as long as you remain on our plan. This is especially valuable for solar homeowners because:
- Spring: Build up credits when solar production is highest
- Summer: Use accumulated credits when consumption is highest
- No rushing to use credits before they expire
Credits are not cash
Export credits are billing credits only and cannot be redeemed for cash. If you switch providers or cancel your service, any remaining credits are forfeited. However, with our unlimited rollover, you have plenty of time to use your credits.
Tracking your credits
Your monthly bill shows:
- Credits earned during the billing period
- Credits used to offset charges
- Remaining credit balance rolling to next month
Can you show me a real example?
June billing cycle (1:1 Match plan at 14¢/kWh):
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