Defending Net Metering in Pennsylvania

Net metering allows homeowners and businesses with solar panels or other small renewable energy systems to receive credit for excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid, effectively spinning their meters backwards. This policy has been a key driver of Pennsylvania’s rooftop solar growth, helping consumers lower their utility bills while supporting local clean energy jobs and reducing pollution.

In recent years, utilities and some policymakers have attempted to roll back or cap net metering programs, arguing that customers who generate their own power do not pay their fair share of grid costs. However, studies show that distributed solar provides broad benefits—reducing strain on the grid, avoiding expensive infrastructure upgrades, and cutting emissions that harm public health. Weakening net metering would undermine these gains and slow the transition to a more resilient, renewable energy future.

PennFuture urges state regulators and lawmakers to defend Pennsylvania’s net metering policy against attacks and to explore ways to expand access to solar for more residents. By maintaining fair compensation for solar producers and encouraging investment in clean energy, the Commonwealth can continue to lead on climate action, create jobs, and empower consumers to generate their own sustainable power.