Over the last three decades, there have been fundamental shifts in the electricity system, including the growing adoption of clean distributed generation energy technologies such as rooftop solar. Net metering, which compensates customers for excess energy they contribute to the grid, has been instrumental in supporting the integration of these systems into the grid, but these policies may need to change to better address future needs.

The Role of Net Metering in the Evolving Electricity System explores the medium-to-long term impacts of net metering on the electricity grid and customers. This report evaluates how net metering guidelines should evolve to support a decarbonized, equitable, and resilient electricity system.

Table of Contents

Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Net Metering 101 3 Background and History, Current Status, and Near-Term Future of Net Metering 4 Economic Considerations Related to Net Metering 5 Equity Considerations of Net Metering 6 Net Metering and Distributed Energy Technologies 7 Regulatory, Legal, and Market Considerations 8 The Future of Net Metering in an Evolving Electricity System Bibliography Appendixes Appendix A: Committee Biographical Information Appendix B: Net Metering and Net Metering Reform Status in U.S. Jurisdictions Appendix C: Committee Meetings