Across 25 countries, the gap between the best and worst solar export compensation schemes is roughly 20:1 in economic value. UAE net metering credits exported solar at the full retail rate — approximately 40 fils/kWh (about US$0.11). California NEM 3.0 pays $0.02–0.05/kWh for the same kilowatt-hour. This gap in export policy determines whether storage is optional or mandatory, whether rooftop solar pencils at all, and which markets are worth entering.
Scheme type, rate, cap, credit rollover rules, and scheme status all feed directly into project financial models. This page compiles the key facts for 25 markets — structured for installers and EPCs assessing new markets, modeling proposals for international clients, or tracking regulatory changes that affect existing project portfolios.
Schemes Change Without Notice
Italy’s SSP closed May 2025. Malaysia NEM 3.0 closed June 2025. California NEM 3.0 cut export rates by ~80% in April 2023. BC Hydro closes July 2026. Always verify current status with the official regulator before quoting a client — this page is updated quarterly but schemes can change between updates.
Scheme Type Definitions
Before comparing countries, understanding what each scheme type actually is matters — because the word “net metering” is used loosely to describe several different mechanisms with very different economics.
Master Comparison: 25 Countries
The table below uses approximate USD equivalents for local rates at April 2026 exchange rates. Exact local-currency rates appear in the regional sections below.
| Country | Scheme Name | Type | Export Rate (USD/kWh equiv.) | System Cap | Credit Rollover | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA (most states) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.10–0.35 (retail) | Varies by state | Monthly or annual | Open |
| USA (California) | NEM 3.0 | Net Billing | $0.02–0.05 (avoided cost) | No cap | Monthly | Open |
| USA (Massachusetts) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.28–0.32 (retail) | 25 kW residential | Annual | Open |
| USA (Florida) | Net Metering | Net Billing | ~$0.04–0.06 (avoided cost) | No cap | Annual | Open |
| UK | Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) | SEG | ~$0.09–0.19 (supplier-set) | No cap | N/A (cash) | Open |
| Germany | EEG Einspeisevergütung | FiT | ~$0.09 (≤10 kW, H1 2025) | 20-year contract | N/A (cash) | Open |
| Australia | Feed-in Tariff (retailer-set) | FiT | ~$0.02–0.08 (retailer-set) | Varies by state | N/A (credit) | Open |
| India (most states) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.06–0.09 (retail) | 10 kW–500 kW | Monthly | Open |
| UAE (DEWA) | Shams Dubai | NM | ~$0.11 (retail, ~40 fils) | 3 MW per customer | Indefinite | Open |
| Singapore (ECIS) | ECIS | FiT | ~$0.11–0.13 (USEP-based) | No stated cap | N/A (payment) | Open |
| Singapore (SCT) | SCT | FiT | ~$0.15 (fixed S$0.20/kWh) | No stated cap | N/A (payment) | Open |
| South Africa (Cape Town) | Municipal SSEGi | NM | ~$0.05–0.06 (R0.87–1.12/kWh) | 1 MW | Monthly | Open |
| South Africa (Eskom) | Eskom SSEGi | NM | ~$0.07 (~R1.34/kWh) | No fixed cap | Monthly | Open |
| Canada (Ontario Hydro One) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.09–0.13 (retail) | 10 kW–500 kW | 12 months | Open |
| Canada (BC Hydro) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.08–0.12 (retail) | 100 kW | 12 months | Closing Jul 2026 |
| Canada (Hydro-Québec) | Net Metering | NM | ~$0.05–0.06 (~7–8 ¢CAD) | 50 kW | 12 months | Open |
| Brazil | Compensação de Energia (GD) | NM | Retail equivalent (kWh credit) | No cap (residential) | 60 months | Open |
| Japan | FIT | FiT | ~$0.16 (¥24/kWh residential, FY2026) | No cap | N/A (cash) | Open |
| Netherlands | Saldering | NM | Full retail (1:1) | No stated cap | Annual | Ending Jan 2027 |
| Italy | Scambio sul Posto (SSP) | NM | Retail equivalent | No cap | Annual | Closed May 2025 |
| Malaysia | Solar ATAP | FiT | ~$0.07 (retailer-set, Jan 2026) | 12 kW (residential) | N/A | New scheme Jan 2026 |
| Kenya | Net-Metering Regulations 2024 | NM | 50% of retail (~$0.05) | 1 MW per customer | Monthly | Open |
| Spain | Compensación Simplificada | Net Billing | ~$0.04–0.13 (PVPC hourly) | 100 kW | Monthly | Open |
| France | Obligation d’Achat (EDF OA) | FiT | ~$0.04 (4 c€/kWh, ≤9 kWc) | 9 kWc | N/A (cash) | Open |
| South Korea | Net Metering + REC | NM + REC | ~$0.07 + REC premium | 1 MW | Monthly | Open |
Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil
United States: 34 States Plus DC
The USA has no single national net metering policy. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) set the framework, but each state Public Utilities Commission sets the rules. As of April 2026, 34 states plus Washington DC have mandatory net metering laws. The remaining 16 states have voluntary utility programs, avoided-cost billing, or no formal export policy.
The key split in US net metering is between true retail-rate net metering (the original model) and avoided-cost net billing (the direction California pioneered).
| State | Scheme | Rate | Cap | Rollover | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | NEM 3.0 | $0.02–0.05/kWh (avoided cost) | No cap | Monthly | Battery storage practically mandatory |
| Massachusetts | Net Metering | ~$0.28–0.32/kWh (retail) | 25 kW residential | Annual | One of the highest retail rates in the US |
| Florida | Net Metering | ~$0.04–0.06/kWh (avoided cost) | No cap | Annual | Duke Energy and FPL pay avoided cost, not retail |
| Texas | No statewide NM | Varies by utility | — | — | ERCOT territory; no FERC obligation; many utilities offer voluntary programs |
| New York | Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) | ~$0.05–0.15/kWh (value stack) | 750 kW | Monthly | Complex rate based on location, time, and avoided capacity |
| New Jersey | Net Metering | ~$0.12–0.18/kWh (retail) | No cap | Annual | Transitioning to Net Metering 2.0 phased over 2026–2028 |
| Arizona | Excess Energy Credit | ~$0.08–0.10/kWh (avoided cost) | No cap | Monthly | APS and TEP moved from retail to avoided cost in recent years |
California NEM 3.0 Impact
California’s shift to avoided-cost net billing reduced export value by approximately 80%. A system that exported 5,000 kWh/year and earned $1,500 under NEM 2.0 now earns $100–250 under NEM 3.0. Battery storage payback periods improved dramatically as a result — self-consuming peak solar and discharging during Time-of-Use peak hours is now far more valuable than exporting.
Canada: Province-by-Province Patchwork
Canada’s net metering landscape mirrors the US patchwork — each province sets its own rules. Three major utilities illustrate the range.
BC Hydro operates one of Canada’s most straightforward net metering programs: residential and commercial systems up to 100 kW receive credits at the retail rate, with unused credits rolling over for 12 months. BC Hydro net metering closes to new applications on July 1, 2026. Systems applying before that date are grandfathered. Projects past scoping stage should confirm application submission before the deadline.
Ontario Hydro One offers net metering for systems up to 500 kW. Export credits accrue at retail rate and offset future bills. Credits expire at 12 months. The Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) administers the regulatory framework.
Hydro-Québec has historically paid among the lowest export rates in Canada — approximately 7–8 ¢CAD/kWh, well below Québec’s retail rate of roughly 11–12 ¢CAD/kWh. Projects relying on export revenue face poor economics in Québec; self-consumption drives most of the financial case.
Brazil: Distributed Generation (GD) Framework
Brazil’s distributed generation framework, governed by ANEEL Resolution 482/2012 and updated by Law 14.300/2022, is one of the most installer-favorable net metering equivalents in the world. Exported kilowatt-hours accumulate as credits at the retail tariff rate and can be used to offset bills for up to 60 months across any unit owned by the same customer — including properties in other cities.
Systems commissioned before January 6, 2023 are grandfathered under the old framework until 2045. Systems commissioned after January 6, 2023 fall under Law 14.300/2022, which maintains the 60-month credit system but adds a distribution charge on the consumed (not exported) volume, reducing the net bill offset slightly. The 60-month credit window and retail-equivalent valuation make Brazil one of the best markets in the Americas for export economics — solar generation during summer peaks can fund winter bills across a 5-year horizon.
Europe: UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands
United Kingdom: Smart Export Guarantee
The UK’s Smart Export Guarantee, administered by Ofgem, requires any licensed supplier with 150,000 or more domestic customers to offer an export tariff above zero. The floor rate is technically above 0p — Ofgem does not set a minimum pence figure, only that it must be positive.
In practice, competitive suppliers pay meaningfully more. Octopus Energy’s Outgoing Octopus tariff offers approximately 15p/kWh for flexible export. OVO Energy’s comparable tariff is in the 12–15p/kWh range. There is no system size cap on SEG eligibility.
The UK does not operate net metering in the technical sense. Export is metered separately (or estimated at 50% of generation for systems without an export meter) and compensated as a cash credit on the bill — not as a kWh-for-kWh offset against imports. This is economically similar to a FiT.
Germany: EEG Einspeisevergütung
Germany’s Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG) feed-in tariff pays a fixed rate for surplus solar exported to the grid, guaranteed for 20 years from commissioning. This is not net metering — it is a cash payment per kWh exported, set administratively by the Bundesnetzagentur.
H1 2025 rates:
- Systems ≤10 kW (partial feed-in): 7.94 ct/kWh for surplus export
- Systems ≤10 kW (full feed-in): 12.47 ct/kWh for all generation
- Systems 10–40 kW: tiered rates, lower per kWh
The Solarspitzengesetz amendment (effective July 2024) reduces or eliminates EEG payment during periods of negative electricity prices. Installers should flag this to clients: systems without storage will lose export revenue during summer midday periods when the grid frequently goes negative.
Given retail electricity rates of approximately €0.28–0.35/kWh in Germany versus an EEG FiT of 7.94 ct/kWh, self-consumption is worth roughly 3–4 times more than export. Battery storage economics are strong in Germany precisely because the spread between retail and export is so large.
France: EDF Obligation d’Achat
France offers a fixed export payment under the CRE-administered Obligation d’Achat (OA) scheme. For residential systems up to 9 kWc, the surplus export rate is approximately 4 c€/kWh — among the lowest in Europe. This is not net metering. All self-consumed solar saves electricity at the retail rate (~€0.25–0.30/kWh depending on the EDF tariff), while each exported kWh earns only €0.04. Self-consumption is 6–7 times more valuable than export in France. System sizing should prioritize load matching and storage over export volume.
Italy: SSP Closed to New Applications
Italy’s Scambio sul Posto (SSP) was the country’s net metering mechanism for systems up to 200 kW. It credited exported energy against consumption at approximately retail-equivalent rates, administered through the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE). SSP commissioning closed on May 29, 2025. Systems not commissioned and registered by that date cannot join SSP regardless of application status. Post-SSP options for Italian solar owners include the Ritiro Dedicato mechanism (FiT for surplus export) or self-consumption arrangements. For projects planned in Italy after May 2025, SSP is not available — confirm with GSE which mechanism applies.
Spain: Compensación Simplificada
Spain’s autoconsumo con compensación simplificada scheme credits surplus solar against the electricity bill at the hourly PVPC (Precio Voluntario para el Pequeño Consumidor) rate. This makes the export value variable — approximately €0.04–0.12/kWh depending on the hour, with lower rates during high-generation midday periods. The scheme is available for systems up to 100 kW. This is net billing, not net metering — the credit rate is wholesale-derived, not retail. Spanish solar economics depend heavily on self-consumption and time-of-use optimization.
Netherlands: Saldering Ending January 2027
The Netherlands has operated full 1:1 net metering (saldering) since 2004 — each exported kWh offsets one imported kWh on the annual bill. The Dutch Senate approved the end of saldering in December 2024. From January 1, 2027, exported solar will be compensated at a market-derived supplier rate, with the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) requiring a minimum floor of 50% of the retail supply rate.
Dutch solar owners who installed under saldering will see export compensation drop after 2027. Installers working in the Netherlands should advise clients installing now that saldering is available until the end of 2026 and that the post-2027 economics will differ. Battery storage payback periods in the Netherlands are improving significantly as the saldering end date approaches.
Model Export Scheme Economics Before Your Next Proposal
SurgePV’s generation and financial tool calculates project payback, IRR, and 25-year cash flow based on your market’s actual export rate — whether that’s 1:1 net metering, a fixed FiT, or avoided-cost net billing. See exactly how scheme type changes your proposal numbers.
Book a Free DemoNo commitment required · 20 minutes · Live project walkthrough
Asia-Pacific: Australia, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan
Australia: Retailer-Set Feed-in Tariffs
Australia does not have net metering. Exported solar is compensated by electricity retailers at a separately set feed-in tariff rate, with retail rates typically several times higher. State governments set minimum FiT floors; retailers may offer more.
| State | Minimum FiT (AUD/kWh) | Typical Range (AUD/kWh) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria | 3.3 ¢ (peak) / 1.3 ¢ (off-peak) | 5–12 ¢ | Solar Homes Program; time-varying minimum FiT from 2025 |
| New South Wales | No floor | 3–10 ¢ | Retailer-set; AER monitors adequacy |
| Queensland | No floor | 5–12 ¢ | Some retailers offer more during peak |
| South Australia | No floor | 3–8 ¢ | Highest penetration market; negative price events erode FiT value |
| Western Australia | Synergy Distributed Energy Buyback | 2.25 ¢ | Synergy monopoly; low rate reflects WA grid constraints |
Australian retail electricity rates are approximately AUD 30–45 ¢/kWh depending on the state and retailer. With export rates of AUD 3–12 ¢/kWh, self-consumption is worth 3–10 times more than export — the largest such ratio in any major solar market globally. Battery storage uptake in Australia is among the highest in the world, driven directly by this spread.
India: State-by-State Net Metering
India operates net metering for rooftop solar under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) framework, but implementation is state-by-state through each State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) and Distribution Company (DISCOM).
Most states offer 1:1 net metering for residential systems up to a defined cap (typically 1 kW per kW of sanctioned load, capped at 10 kW for residential and up to 500 kW for commercial). Monthly metering is standard — credits at month-end offset the bill at retail rate, with surplus credits sometimes carried forward and sometimes forfeited.
Several states have moved or are moving toward net billing (sometimes called “net feed-in” locally) — crediting export at a lower avoided-cost rate rather than retail. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu have all seen regulatory discussions on this shift. Installers working across multiple Indian states should verify the current SERC order for each state before financial modeling.
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana scheme (launched February 2024) provides residential subsidies and requires net metering connection — DISCOM applications are processed through the PM Surya Ghar portal.
Singapore: Two Parallel Export Schemes
Singapore operates two parallel export compensation mechanisms through the Energy Market Authority (EMA):
ECIS (Enhanced Central Intermediary Scheme): Solar owners export at the Uniform Singapore Energy Price (USEP), the wholesale market clearing price. USEP fluctuates based on real-time demand and supply — approximately S$0.15–0.18/kWh as a long-run average, but with significant intraday variation. ECIS is more complex administratively but captures market upside during high-demand periods.
SCT (Simplified Credit Treatment): A fixed export rate of approximately S$0.20/kWh. Simpler to model and administer. For most residential installations, SCT’s fixed rate offers more predictability than USEP exposure.
Neither ECIS nor SCT is net metering in the strict sense — they compensate export at market or fixed rates that may differ from retail. Singapore’s retail tariff for households is approximately S$0.29–0.33/kWh, so self-consumption remains more valuable than export at either scheme rate.
Malaysia: NEM 3.0 Closed, Solar ATAP Opens
Malaysia’s Net Energy Metering 3.0 program, administered by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), closed to new applications in June 2025. NEM 3.0 offered 1:1 energy credit compensation through TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad) for residential and commercial systems.
Replacing NEM 3.0, Solar ATAP launched in January 2026. Solar ATAP is a feed-in tariff scheme available for residential systems up to 12 kW. The export rate under Solar ATAP is set by SEDA and is not 1:1 — it is closer to a retailer FiT at approximately RM 0.31/kWh (approximately US$0.07/kWh), below Malaysia’s retail tariff of RM 0.57–0.57/kWh for the first 200 kWh block. Installers working in Malaysia should reference Solar ATAP terms directly from SEDA before quoting clients — NEM 3.0 terms no longer apply to new systems.
Japan: Fixed FiT Without Net Metering
Japan does not operate net metering. All exported solar is compensated under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) feed-in tariff system. Residential FiT for FY2026: ¥24/kWh (approximately US$0.16/kWh). This is a cash payment for all exported power, guaranteed for 10 years from commissioning. Systems commissioned before April 2012 had gross FiT at ¥42/kWh — those schemes are expiring progressively, creating the “post-FiT” market where thousands of Japanese systems now export at near-zero spot prices.
Japan’s retail electricity rate is approximately ¥30–35/kWh. The FiT rate of ¥24/kWh is therefore closer to retail than most markets — but still below it, and declining annually. Japan’s solar economics for new projects are strong for self-consumption; battery storage adoption is increasing as FiT rates fall below retail.
Africa and Middle East: UAE, South Africa, Kenya
UAE (DEWA Shams Dubai): True Retail Net Metering
The UAE’s Shams Dubai program, administered by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), is one of the few markets globally with true 1:1 retail-rate net metering. Exported kilowatt-hours are credited against imported kilowatt-hours at approximately 40 fils/kWh — the retail rate. Credits accumulate indefinitely, with no annual expiry.
Key features:
- Rate: ~40 fils/kWh (retail tariff rate, 1:1)
- Cap: 3 MW per customer (residential systems typically well below this)
- Credit rollover: Indefinite — unused monthly credits carry forward indefinitely
- Status: Open
This combination — retail-rate credits, indefinite rollover, and a 3 MW cap — makes Dubai one of the most installer-favorable net metering environments globally. Abu Dhabi’s ADDC energy netting program and Sharjah’s SEWA program offer similar retail-rate credits for their respective territories. EtihadWE (Northern Emirates) operates the Distributed Solar Systems (DSS) program on comparable terms.
For detailed DEWA Shams Dubai application requirements — NOC process, contractor categories, and documentation — see the UAE solar compliance hub.
South Africa: Municipality-Specific Net Metering
South Africa does not have uniform national net metering. Each municipality sets its own Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) tariff under the NERSA regulatory framework. Eskom’s SSEGi tariff applies to grid-direct customers.
| Utility | Export Rate | Cap | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town (CoCT) | R0.87–1.12/kWh (~US$0.05–0.06) | 1 MW | Well-established program; online application portal |
| eThekwini (Durban) | ~R0.80/kWh | 1 MW | Active program; application via city portal |
| Ekurhuleni (East Rand) | ~R0.90/kWh | 1 MW | Active |
| Tshwane (Pretoria) | ~R0.85/kWh | 1 MW | Active |
| Eskom SSEGi | ~R1.34/kWh (~US$0.07) | No fixed cap | Eskom direct customers; application through Eskom SSEG portal |
South Africa’s SSEG rates are below retail (retail residential rates are approximately R2.50–3.50/kWh depending on municipality), making self-consumption significantly more valuable than export. The 2025 October ECSA/DoL rule change requiring all solar systems above 1 kVA to be designed and signed off by a registered professional affects how installers submit SSEG applications in municipalities requiring full-installation compliance certificates.
Kenya: Net-Metering Regulations 2024
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) gazetted the Net-Metering Regulations 2024, bringing structured net metering to the Kenyan grid for the first time. Key parameters:
- Export credit rate: 50% of the prevailing retail tariff (approximately KES 6–8/kWh vs. a retail tariff of ~KES 12–16/kWh)
- System cap: 1 MW per customer
- National aggregate cap: 100 MW (monitoring whether this limit constrains program access)
- KPLC role: Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) administers grid connection and metering; EPRA sets the regulatory framework
- Status: Open
The 50% retail credit rate makes Kenya’s scheme a net billing mechanism in practice — export earns half the retail value, similar to California’s NEM 3.0 economic structure. Self-consumption optimization is therefore the primary driver of solar project economics in Kenya.
For the full Kenya EPRA licensing and KPLC grid connection process, see the Kenya solar compliance hub.
Schemes That Closed or Are Changing: Timeline
The table below tracks the most significant net metering and FiT changes of 2023–2027 — both for markets where installers may have existing clients on grandfathered terms, and for markets where scheme changes affect new project viability.
| Market | Change | Effective Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| California (USA) | NEM 2.0 → NEM 3.0 (avoided cost net billing) | April 15, 2023 | Export value fell ~80%; battery storage now standard |
| Italy | SSP closed to new commissioning | May 29, 2025 | No new systems can join SSP; Ritiro Dedicato is the alternative |
| Malaysia | NEM 3.0 closed; Solar ATAP launched | June 2025 / January 2026 | NEM 3.0 no longer available; Solar ATAP is FiT-based, not 1:1 |
| Netherlands | Saldering (1:1 NM) ending | January 1, 2027 | Export will be compensated at 50%+ of retail, not full retail |
| BC Hydro (Canada) | Net metering program closing to new applicants | July 1, 2026 | Existing systems grandfathered; no new NM applications |
| New Jersey (USA) | NM 1.0 → NM 2.0 (phased transition) | 2026–2028 | Gradual reduction in retail-rate compensation for larger systems |
| UK | Future Homes Standard (no export scheme change yet) | 2025 onward | No SEG change, but new build homes required solar-ready wiring |
| Germany | Solarspitzengesetz (zero/negative price EEG cut) | July 2024 | EEG payments suspended during negative price hours |
| Brazil | Law 14.300/2022 (distribution charge added) | January 2023 | 60-month credit preserved; distribution charge reduces net benefit slightly |
Grandfathering: What It Means in Practice
When a scheme closes, systems already commissioned under it are typically grandfathered — they continue on old terms for a defined period (California NEM 2.0 systems have a 20-year NEM grandfathering period; Italy’s SSP systems remain on SSP until 2035; Brazil’s pre-2023 systems are locked until 2045). Clients with systems on grandfathered schemes should understand they have a time-limited asset — the grandfathered export economics will eventually end.
Decision Guide: Which Market to Enter Based on Export Economics
For installers evaluating which international markets to enter, export scheme economics are one input alongside market size, competition, and regulatory complexity. The framework below scores markets on export economics alone — it does not account for installation volume, permitting complexity, or competition density.
| Market | Export Economics Score | Key Reason | Self-Consumption Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (DEWA Shams Dubai) | Excellent | 1:1 retail net metering, indefinite credit rollover, 3 MW cap | Moderate (retail = export rate) |
| Brazil | Excellent | 60-month rolling kWh credit at retail equivalent | Moderate |
| USA (most states, ex-California) | Good–Excellent | Retail-rate net metering in 34+ states; Massachusetts especially strong | Moderate |
| UK (SEG, competitive suppliers) | Good | Octopus ~15p/kWh; no cap; simple | High (retail ~28p; export ~15p) |
| India (most states, retail NM) | Good | 1:1 net metering; 10 kW–500 kW range | Moderate |
| Japan | Moderate | ¥24/kWh FiT; guaranteed 10 years; declining annually | High |
| Singapore | Moderate | S$0.20/kWh SCT; or USEP-based ECIS | High |
| Kenya | Moderate | 50% retail; 1 MW cap; new scheme, growing market | Very High |
| South Africa | Moderate | R0.87–1.34/kWh; well below retail | Very High |
| Spain | Moderate | PVPC hourly rate; variable; net billing | Very High |
| Netherlands | Moderate (now), Poor (post-2027) | Saldering ends January 2027; transition risk | High from 2027 |
| Germany | Low–Moderate | ~7.94 ct/kWh EEG vs. ~€0.30 retail | Very High |
| Australia | Low | AUD 3–12 ¢/kWh vs. 30–45 ¢ retail | Very High |
| France | Low | 4 c€/kWh vs. ~€0.25–0.30 retail | Very High |
| California (NEM 3.0) | Low | $0.02–0.05/kWh; battery storage required | Very High |
| Italy (post-SSP) | Low | Ritiro Dedicato FiT; below retail | Very High |
| Malaysia (Solar ATAP) | Low–Moderate | RM 0.31/kWh FiT; new scheme from Jan 2026 | High |
| USA (Florida) | Low–Moderate | ~$0.04–0.06/kWh avoided cost | Very High |
Financial Modeling Export Schemes in Solar Software
Understanding scheme type matters, but the export rate is only meaningful when modeled against the specific system’s self-consumption ratio, the client’s load profile, and the local retail tariff.
Use solar design software to model the complete financial picture: a 10 kWp system with 70% self-consumption in Germany (saving €0.30/kWh on self-consumed power) generates a better return than the same system in California at 30% self-consumption at $0.03/kWh export. The rate shown in a table is a starting point — the generation and financial tool runs the numbers against actual system output, load matching, and local tariff structures.
Internal links to country-specific export scheme details:
- UAE solar compliance hub — DEWA Shams Dubai, ADDC, EtihadWE, SEWA net metering details
- Kenya solar compliance hub — EPRA net metering regulations, KPLC grid connection, C&I grid tie
- Solar compliance hub — all country guides
For installers designing systems in any of the markets covered above, solar software that correctly models the export rate, self-consumption ratio, and applicable tariff structure is the difference between an accurate 25-year financial model and a proposal that overstates returns to the client.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries have full 1:1 retail-rate net metering?
True 1:1 retail-rate net metering — where each exported kWh exactly offsets one imported kWh on the bill — exists in the UAE (DEWA Shams Dubai at approximately 40 fils/kWh retail), most US states (though California NEM 3.0 ended this for new systems in April 2023), some Indian states, and Brazil’s GD scheme (60-month rolling kWh credit at retail equivalent). Australia, UK, Germany, and most European markets do not offer 1:1 retail-rate net metering — they pay a separate, lower export rate through a feed-in tariff or smart export guarantee.
What is the difference between net metering and a feed-in tariff?
Net metering credits exported energy directly against your electricity bill, typically at or near retail rate. A feed-in tariff pays cash for exported (or all generated) energy at a separately set rate, which is usually lower than retail. Germany uses a feed-in tariff through the EEG at approximately 7.94 ct/kWh for small systems — well below the retail rate of €0.28–0.35/kWh. The UK’s Smart Export Guarantee is closer to a FiT than net metering: export is separately metered and paid in cash. USA and India (most states) use net metering. The practical difference: under net metering, the export rate effectively equals the retail rate; under a FiT, the export rate is whatever the government or supplier sets — usually less.
Why did California’s net metering rate drop so dramatically?
The California Public Utilities Commission replaced NEM 2.0 with NEM 3.0, effective April 2023, to address the cost-shift argument that net metering ratepayers were being cross-subsidised by non-solar customers. Under NEM 3.0, export is compensated at avoided cost — the wholesale grid rate — rather than retail rate, reducing export value from roughly $0.25–0.35/kWh to $0.02–0.05/kWh. This is an approximately 80% reduction. Battery storage became practically necessary for new California solar projects because self-consumed peak power is now worth far more than exported power.
When is the Netherlands ending its full net metering scheme?
The Dutch Senate approved the end of saldering (full 1:1 net metering) in December 2024. From January 1, 2027, surplus solar will be compensated at market rates set by the energy supplier, not at the full retail tariff. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) requires the supplier-set export rate to be at least 50% of the retail supply rate as a floor. Dutch solar owners who installed under saldering before 2027 retain the full retail credit until their supplier’s contract ends or until 2027, whichever is later — but new systems commissioned from 2027 onward will not receive 1:1 net metering.
