Utilities · Solar in Washington
Puget Sound Energy: how it credits the solar power you send to the grid
1:1 net metering under Schedule 150, still open to new customers until PSE adopts a replacement; banked credits expire each March 31.
Checked November 12, 2026. Utilities change these rules; check the current tariff before you sign.
How it works
Exported power earns the full retail price, kWh for kWh.
PSE has said Schedule 150 stays open until a new rate schedule is in place, and that it will give notice before closing it.
Banked credits can't be cashed out or transferred, and expire every March 31, so a system bigger than your yearly use gains nothing.
Customers approved under Schedule 150 may stay on it.
Tip: Apply before PSE announces a closing date: existing customers keep the old terms.
What it means for a typical Washington home
With full credit, a typical 9.5 kW system in Washington (about $24,415 at the 2026 median price) pays for itself in about 17 years and saves about $16,493 over 25 years after its price, paid in cash with no federal credit. It doesn't matter much whether you use the power as it's made or send it out, so a battery adds backup, not savings. Payback by system size in Washington.
Utilities in neighboring states
| Utility | State | Exported power | Credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puget Sound Energy | Washington | Full credit (net metering) | Full retail |
| Portland General Electric | Oregon | Full credit (net metering) | Full retail |
| Idaho Power | Idaho | Reduced credit (net billing) | 4¢ (est.) |
All 55 utilities · Solar in Washington · Lease and PPA terms by company
Sources: Puget Sound Energy: customer-connected solar questions; U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), final 2025 data: Annual State Historical Spreadsheets (Form EIA-861, released October 7, 2026) and Electric Power Annual (October 21, 2026); EnergySage: median quoted price, first half of 2026.