SCE net metering, explained for homeowners.

SCE net metering questions, answered.

Does SCE still offer net metering in 2026?

Yes, but under NEM 3.0 (the Net Billing Tariff), not the older NEM 2.0. Any SCE system interconnected after April 15, 2023 falls under NEM 3.0, which credits exported solar at hourly avoided-cost rates roughly 75% below the old full-retail value. Homeowners already on NEM 2.0 generally keep those terms for their legacy period.

I'm on SCE NEM 2.0 — how long do I keep it, and what could void it?

NEM 2.0 is grandfathered for 20 years from your system's original permission-to-operate date, and it generally stays with the property if you sell. Adding a battery does not affect your NEM 2.0 status. What can jeopardize it is enlarging the array — expanding beyond roughly 10% or 1 kW of the original system size typically moves the whole system onto NEM 3.0. If you want more capacity on a NEM 2.0 system, talk to us before adding panels: there is often a design that adds usable power (storage, higher-efficiency swaps) without giving up the tariff, and we confirm the current rules with SCE before any work.

How much did SCE export credits drop under NEM 3.0?

Exported energy is now credited at hourly avoided-cost values that average about 75% lower than the retail rate paid under NEM 2.0. The exact credit varies hour by hour — very low during the midday solar surplus and higher during the evening ramp — which is why self-consumption and storage matter so much on SCE.

Is solar still worth it with SCE under NEM 3.0?

Yes, especially paired with a battery. SCE's residential rates are high and keep climbing, so offsetting your own usage still pays. The key change is design: instead of exporting for cheap credits, you store midday production and use it during the 4-9 PM peak. We model solar-only and solar+battery for your specific SCE rate so you see the honest difference.

Can I still get the 30% solar tax credit on an SCE system?

Not as a homeowner who buys the system — Congress ended the residential 30% credit on December 31, 2025. Our prepaid-lease option (Propel) instead captures the federal commercial clean-energy credit and passes it through as roughly 30% off your cost up front, with you taking title in year 6. We put the structure in writing; we're not tax advisors, so confirm details with yours.