Net Metering & State Policy

How your state credits the energy you export — the biggest swing factor in solar payback. Below are the Ballpark Lab guides in this topic — each one pairs plain-English answers with the calculator that gives you the number.

Net metering

Solar Net Metering & Permits by State (2026): Payback Guide

Net metering is the biggest swing factor in solar payback, and it varies sharply by state in 2026. Here's how the three crediting models and permitting work.

Updated June 30, 2026