Learn More About SMUD and Your Net Energy Metering Bill

Sacramento Municipal Utility District has served Sacramento since 1946, and they’re now the sixth largest community-owned electric company in the U.S.¹ To date, SMUD delivers electricity to more than 1.5 people living in Sacramento and Placer counties.²

How to Read Your SMUD Net Energy Meter Bill

We have created a quick and easy way to read your SMUD Net Energy Metering Bill. See our PDF for more details.

1. How Do I Read My SMUD Bill Once My Solar System Is Running?

SMUD will measure the difference between the number of kilowatt-hours your home solar system produces and the amount of electricity you use from the grid. This difference is called Net Energy Metering or NEM, which SMUD uses to calculate your solar bill.³

Under NEM, when your panels produce more energy than you need, the excess is sent back to the electric grid and SMUD gives you a retail-value credit for each kilowatt-hour you generated beyond your monthly needs.⁴ Besides, SMUD lets you choose between receiving these type of credits as cash back or as a bill credit.

As a SMUD solar customer, you’re also able to choose how and when you want to pay for your home electricity. By default, SMUD will settle the difference in the number of kilowatt-hours you use and produce once a year. Yet, you can choose to pay your solar bills each month, too, and avoid a possibly larger bill at the end of the year.⁵

Since SMUD gives you the option to pay your solar bill each month or once a year, depending on the option you select, your bill will look different. Still, some elements on your monthly and annual solar bills stay the same, like your fixed customer charges to keep SMUD’s infrastructure in top shape, as well as any county taxes. See samples of SMUD’s monthly and annual solar bills.

2. What Are Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates?

TOU rates, called “Time-of-Day (TOD) rates” by SMUD, are variable pricing structures that change depending on the time of day and the season you use electricity at home.

SMUD’s TOD 5-8 p.m. rate offers you lower prices during off-peak periods (morning and evening) when people are already asleep or have gone to work or school, and higher prices during peak periods (afternoon) as the demand for electricity increases because most people are at home connected to their devices and appliances or using their air conditioners to stay comfortable.⁶

See the following TOU chart for further explanation on peak rates.

TOU Visualized:

3. Am I Eligible for SMUD’S TOD 5-8 P.M. Rate If I Have Solar Panels?

Yes. SMUD’s TOD 5-8 P.M. rate is the standard rate for customers approved for solar panels with a home battery after January 1, 2018.⁷ And while home solar battery system customers cannot opt out of it, the good news is, the TOD 5-8 p.m. rate is around 4% lower compared to the fixed rate most SMUD non-solar customers are usually on.

But since SMUD’s TOD 5-8 p.m. rates change during the day, please keep in mind that if your home solar system produces excess energy its value will be variable. For example, one kilowatt-hour of solar electricity exported to the grid at 10:00 a.m. (off-peak period) will be worth less than one kilowatt-hour sent back to the grid at 6:00 p.m. (peak period).

4. What Happens to My Solar Service If I Move?

If you decide to move, we Sunrunners have a team of Service Transfer Specialists standing by to help you transfer your solar contract to the new owner. As soon as you notify Sunrun you’re selling your home; you’ll be assigned to a Service Transfer Specialist who’ll work with you exclusively through the entire process.

From educating realtors and potential home buyers to working with home inspectors, escrow officers, title agents, and anyone else who should know about your home solar system and solar contract, we’ll always have your back. Learn helpful solar contract transfer tips. 

Prepare for the Future with Sunrun, Today

To evaluate your solar options as a SMUD customer, sign in to your SMUD account. And if you’re all set to switch to solar with Sunrun, just request your free, customized quote. Our solar advisors are ready to get you started so you can save potentially thousands on your future electric bills.⁸* Some of our solar plans let you go solar for little to $0 down. The time to go solar is now.