Net metering agreements are generally tied to the property, not the person — but the details matter more than that simple rule suggests.
The agreement typically transfers with the home
Net metering is usually an agreement between the utility and the property (or the system itself), meaning a new owner generally inherits the existing terms rather than needing to establish a new agreement — this is one reason solar can genuinely add value in a sale, as covered in our home value guide.
Grandfathered terms are the exception worth understanding
If your state or utility has changed net metering policy since your system was installed, you may be on legacy "grandfathered" terms better than what's currently offered to new customers — check whether that grandfathering explicitly transfers to a new owner or resets, since the specific policy language varies.
Any accumulated credit balance may not transfer
Depending on your utility's specific billing structure, an accumulated net metering credit balance at time of sale might be paid out, forfeited, or transferred — check your utility's specific policy on this rather than assuming any particular outcome.
Financed systems add another layer
If your system has an outstanding loan, that debt (or the asset securing it) is a separate consideration from the net metering agreement itself — see our lease vs buy comparison for how ownership structure affects a sale generally.
Disclose clearly to avoid closing complications
Providing clear documentation of the system, its net metering terms, and any outstanding financing to your real estate agent and buyer avoids surprises during the closing process — solar-specific disclosure forms are increasingly standard in real estate transactions in solar-heavy markets.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notify my utility when I sell a solar home?
Yes, typically — the utility needs to update account information for the new owner, similar to any other utility service transfer, and this is usually handled as part of the standard closing process.
Can a new owner get better net metering terms than I have?
No — new owners typically inherit the existing system's grandfathered terms if applicable, rather than being subject to whatever current policy applies to newly-installed systems, though this depends on specific state and utility rules.