Calculator

Net Metering Savings Calculator

What your state does with your extra units decides how big a system you should build. Net metering, net billing and gross metering pay very differently, and most people do not know which one they have.

Your usage and generation

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The formula

Self used = whichever is less, generation or your usage Exported = generation - your usage, if positive Imported = your usage - generation, if positive NET METERING Extra units are banked at full retail rate. They cancel out units you draw later. Best for you. NET BILLING Extra units are bought at a lower rate than you pay. Building a bigger system is not worth much. GROSS METERING Everything you make is sold at a fixed rate. You keep buying all your electricity at retail.

What this assumes

  • State policies change. Confirm the current rule with your DISCOM before sizing your system.
  • Banked units usually expire at the end of the financial year. They do not carry forward forever.
  • Many states cap system size at your sanctioned load.
  • Fixed charges and electricity duty stay on your bill whatever you generate.
  • Getting a net meter installed can take weeks or months after commissioning.

Common questions

What is the difference between net metering and net billing?

Net metering banks your extra units at the same rate you pay, so they cancel your future bills. Net billing buys your extra units at a lower rate, often half. Same system, very different savings.

Which one does my state use?

Check the state page on this site for a starting point, then confirm with your DISCOM. This changes and it changes without much notice.

Should I build a bigger system to sell more power?

Only under net metering, and even then only up to your yearly usage. Under net billing or gross metering, oversizing is usually a bad deal.

What happens to my banked units?

In most states they get settled at the end of the financial year, often at a low rate. So it is better to size a system that matches your usage rather than one that exports a lot.

Data last reviewed August 2026 Full methodology Disclaimer