Seattle City Light currently offers retail-rate net metering. When your solar system sends excess electricity back to the grid, City Light gives you a kWh credit valued at the same retail rate you pay for electricity.
But City Light recently added an important update to its website:
Net Metering Update: City Light has begun planning the next phase of its net metering program and intends to provide at least six months’ notice before proposed changes take effect.
City Light hasn’t said publicly what those changes will be.
What we do know is that the current program may not stay exactly as it is.
Why Retail-Rate Net Metering Matters
Solar often produces more electricity during the day than your home uses it in that moment.
Net metering lets that extra production work for you by rolling credits forward to offset future electricity use.
If a future program pays less for exported solar, the economics of a new system could change — especially for homes that send a lot of solar back to the grid.
Is Seattle City Light Cutting Net Metering?
We don’t know yet.
City Light has not announced a new rate or program structure.
What it has confirmed is that it is actively planning the next phase of net metering.
That’s worth paying attention to if you’re considering solar.
Does It Make Sense to Go Solar Now?
Maybe. The answer depends on your roof, energy use, system size, cost, and how much solar you’re likely to use versus export.
The key question is:
What does solar look like for my home under the rules available today?
What About Batteries?
A future reduction in export value could make batteries more useful.
Instead of sending excess solar to the grid, a battery lets you store more of it for later use while also providing backup power during an outage.
That doesn’t mean every home needs a battery. But if export credits fall, using more of your own solar becomes more valuable.
The Bottom Line
Seattle City Light still offers retail-rate net metering today.
It has also confirmed that it is planning the next phase of the program.
We don’t know what those changes will be yet. But if solar has been on your list, this is a good time to understand the current program and what the numbers look like for your home.
Already have a solar quote? We’re happy to give you a second opinion.
