Transitioning from Solar Payment Option to Net Metering FAQ

The Solar Payment Option allowed you to sign a 15-year contract with PGE to purchase the power generated by your home or business solar system at a special rate. With your contract nearing its 15-year term, you have the option to transition to the Net Metering program, available to all PGE customers with solar.

You have two options:

1. Net Metering: Your account will be automatically transitioned to PGE’s Net Metering program. This option allows you to continue using your solar electricity to offset your home’s or business’s electricity use. Any excess energy will be credited to you and saved for use later in the year. This credit will offset energy you’d otherwise purchase from PGE. We’ll also send you a Net Metering agreement by email so you have all the details — signing it helps us make sure your transition goes smoothly. Review our Net Metering page for more information.

2. Disconnect and switch to Basic Service: If you choose to disconnect your solar system from the grid, you’ll no longer receive payments or credits from PGE, and your system would no longer be “grid-tied”. To disconnect, please reach out to an installer or electrician. If you prefer to switch to Basic Service, please call us to let us know.

The Solar Payment Option used two meters — one to track your solar generation and another to track your usage. You received a premium payment for your solar production. With Net Metering, we use one bidirectional meter to track both solar energy sent to the grid and energy drawn from the grid. Excess energy generated by your system goes to the grid, and you’ll receive credits to offset the cost of your future electricity use.

Yes, you can end your Solar Payment Option agreement at any time by sending us a written notice — either by mail or email.

By mail:

If you’d like to talk through your options, give us a call at 503-464-8200. We’re here to help.

A PGE crew will come by to safely remove and disable it and you will no longer be charged the second meter fee. This removal will take place within a few months after your Solar Payment Option contract ends. The good news is, you should not experience any power outages during the process. If there are concerns, like the meter being in a hard-to-reach place or behind a locked fence, contact PGE Customer Service at 503-228-6322 to schedule a time convenient for you.

It depends on your contract. The Solar Payment Option included two types of payments: credits for the solar produced that month and a check (VIR payment) covering the balance above the offset cost. If you or a third party you assigned were receiving a monthly check payment from us, the earnings through Net Metering may be less than what you were receiving under the Solar Payment Option. Your credits under Net Metering will reflect the retail price of electricity instead.

No. If you’re enrolled in Net Metering, you can still participate in PGE’s Time of Day rate option. Solar credits will first apply to on-peak energy use, then mid-peak, and finally off-peak use.

Once you enroll in Net Metering, your account will be removed from Equal Pay. We recommend waiting for at least six months of history under Net Metering before re-enrolling to ensure your Equal Pay amount aligns with your bill.

No. Your Auto Pay will not be affected.

Yes! Now that your contract has expired, you can modernize your solar system to better match your current energy use or add battery storage. Please contact PGE if you plan to make changes to your system to ensure they align with your interconnection agreement.