Production and consumption rarely match hour to hour. See what you actually owe (or get credited) once export rates are applied.
If exports exceed imports, most utilities carry the credit forward rather than paying cash — check your specific program's rules.
Further reading: Net Metering vs. Net Billing: How Solar Export Credits Actually Work
The export rate is the number that separates a great net-metering deal from a mediocre one. Full retail-rate net metering (100%) makes every exported kWh worth exactly as much as an imported one. Many regions have shifted to "net billing," where exports are credited at a lower wholesale-linked rate — often 30-75% of retail — which makes it less valuable to oversize your system beyond your own daytime usage.
Only if your export rate is close to your import rate. Check the % here against your utility's published rate — the Solar Panel Calculator lets you target under 100% offset if oversizing isn't worth it in your market.
In most net metering programs, yes — monthly credits typically roll forward and many programs true-up annually. Rules vary widely by utility, so confirm with yours.