Washington Net Metering by Utility: PSE, Clallam PUD, Jefferson PUD (2026)
Yes, net metering is still open to new solar customers in Washington in 2026. State law (RCW 80.60) requires every electric utility to offer it for systems up to 100 kW. The surplus your panels send to the grid is credited at the same retail rate you pay for power. The credits carry from month to month, and the bank resets once a year.
What differs between utilities is the paperwork, the meter and the date your credits reset. This page covers the utilities in our service area: Puget Sound Energy, Clallam County PUD, the City of Port Angeles and Jefferson County PUD.
Utility rules checked on each utility’s own website on October 20, 2026. Utilities can change them, so confirm on the linked utility page before you rely on a detail.
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How net metering works in Washington
Washington’s net metering law was passed in 1998. Here is what it means for a home or business with grid-tied solar:
- Retail credit: every kWh you export offsets a kWh you buy, at the same rate the utility charges you. You still pay the utility’s basic monthly charge.
- Monthly banking: when you export more than you use in a billing period, the surplus is banked as a kWh credit and used in later months. In the Northwest that means summer surplus pays for winter use.
- Annual reset: under state law any credit left on March 31 goes to the utility and the bank starts again from zero. That date moved from April 30 in 2019, which helps systems that start banking credits in April.
- Size limit: 100 kW, for all customer classes, so most homes, farms and small businesses qualify.
- Threshold: utilities must offer net metering until net-metered systems reach 4% of their 1996 peak load. The 2019 Solar Fairness Act (SB 5223) raised this from 0.5%, and Clallam County PUD notes the 4% threshold has a sunset date of June 30, 2029.
For the background, see our posts on the Solar Fairness Act and on Clallam PUD’s 2018 move to end retail net metering, which the 2019 law reversed. Customers already net metering keep their existing agreement.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) net metering
Who it serves in our area: most of Kitsap County, including Bainbridge Island, Poulsbo, Kingston, Silverdale, Bremerton and Port Orchard.
Is it open to new customers in 2026? Yes. PSE reached the 4% threshold, and in 2024 it chose to keep net metering open anyway (our post on that decision).
PSE’s net metering schedule is Rate Schedule 150. PSE now says it stays open to customers who apply for a new or modified system until December 31, 2025 or until a new net metering rate schedule is in place, whichever is later. PSE has not yet put a new schedule in place, so Schedule 150 is still open in October 2026. Customers approved under it can stay on it.
- Credit: exports are banked as a kWh credit that offsets energy charges in later bills; banked credits expire March 31 each year. You pay the basic monthly charge.
- Who can use it: residential and commercial customers on Rate Schedules 7 to 49, systems up to 100 kW.
- Not combinable with: PSE’s Time-of-Use rates (Schedules 307 and 327) or the non-communicating meter service (Schedule 171).
How to connect to PSE:
- Your installer submits an interconnection application through PSE’s online portal.
- PSE reviews it and issues an Approval to Construct.
- The system is installed under local codes and the electrical permit.
- Once the permit is finalized, a Notice of Completion goes to PSE.
- PSE tests the system and installs any new meter, then issues approval to energize and starts net metering.
Source: PSE Customer Connected Solar and PSE’s net metering FAQ. Adding a battery? PSE customers can keep net metering and also earn from PSE Flex.
Clallam County PUD net metering
Who it serves in our area: Sequim, Port Angeles outside the city limits, and the rest of Clallam County, including Dungeness, Diamond Point and Joyce.
Is it open to new customers in 2026? Yes. Clallam County PUD says all of its electric customers are eligible, for systems powered by solar, wind, water, fuel cells or animal waste biogas.
- Meter: the PUD fits a meter that records energy delivered to you and energy received from you separately.
- Credit: if you deliver more than you receive in a month, the PUD banks the energy balance and subtracts it from later bills. You pay the Basic Customer Charge every month.
- Annual reset: any balance left in March becomes the property of the PUD and the account returns to zero.
How to connect to Clallam PUD: the PUD must approve your Interconnection Application before the system is connected to the grid, and recommends applying before installation. Approved applicants then sign the PUD’s Interconnection Agreement for Net Metering. The system must meet the PUD’s interconnection requirements, the National Electrical Code and the related safety and equipment standards.
Source: Clallam County PUD net metering. In 2018 the PUD voted to stop retail net metering for new customers; the 2019 law restored it (our post from the time).
City of Port Angeles net metering
Who it serves: homes and businesses inside the Port Angeles city limits, where the City’s Light Operations division is the electric utility.
Is it open to new customers in 2026? Yes. The City offers net metering for generators fueled by solar, wind or hydropower, or a fuel cell. When your system makes more than you are using, the meter runs backwards.
How to connect to the City: review the City’s net metering Policies and Procedures, then submit its Net Metered Electrical Generation Application. The City publishes a workflow checklist that shows each step from application to energizing your meter.
Source: City of Port Angeles, Net Metered Electrical Generation.
Jefferson County PUD net metering
Who it serves: Port Townsend, Port Ludlow and the rest of east Jefferson County.
Is it open to new customers in 2026? Yes, for solar, wind, small hydro and fuel cell systems of 100 kW or less. The PUD signs a separate connection agreement with each customer-generator.
- Meter: after a complete application packet, the PUD installs a bi-directional net meter that measures power in and power out.
- Credit: you are charged for the difference between the two readings; surplus becomes a credit banked for future bills.
- Annual reset: the PUD’s page says banked credits expire each April. State law sets March 31, so confirm the date with the PUD.
- Base fee: you still pay the monthly base fee even if your home reaches net zero.
How to connect to Jefferson PUD: complete the PUD’s Net Metering Application and Compliance Form and its Net Metering Agreement.
Source: Jefferson County PUD, Solar and Net Metering.
Mason County PUD 3: we have installed a few systems on PUD 3’s grid, in Shelton and Grapeview. PUD 3 publishes its own interconnection and net metering application and agreement on its Solar-Net Metering page.
What net metering is not
- Not a cash payment: credits offset your own bill and reset each year, so a system is sized on your roof and your yearly usage.
- Not the old production incentive: Washington’s annual production incentive program is fully subscribed and takes no new applicants.
- Not a tax credit: the federal residential credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025. The 30% credit still applies to commercial systems, and Washington’s sales tax exemption still applies; see Incentives and Financing.
We handle the interconnection paperwork with your utility as part of every grid-tied installation, along with the electrical permit.
Why choose Power Trip Energy for a net-metered system
- Headquartered in Port Townsend and installing solar on the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas since 2003.
- Over 1,100 installations in the region, on the PSE, Clallam PUD, City of Port Angeles and Jefferson PUD grids.
- NABCEP-certified staff; licensed Washington general contractor (POWERTE934QE) and electrical contractor (POWERTE964JN).
- We handle the site evaluation, system design, utility interconnection and permitting, and train you on the monitoring app.
“We loved our decision to purchase a solar power system from Power Trip Energy. We are supporting the world’s climate health and the local business community, both important to us. Also it was a sound financial move with immediate and long term returns. The staff at Power Trip made the experience fun, easy and rewarding.”
“We could not be more pleased with our new solar array. We knew of Power Trip from friends on Marrowstone Island but became much more interested after hearing Andy speak at a neighborhood gathering. His knowledge of the industry, historical and future-facing, is comprehensive. We have enjoyed all of our interactions with Becky and Mike, who put together our bids, completed our paperwork for system approval, and conducted training on monitoring panel productivity through the app. The installation crew was enjoyable to have around the property — prompt, pleasant, efficient, neat and tidy!”
Net metering questions
Is net metering ending in Washington?
Not for new customers today. Every utility in our area still offers it in 2026. State law requires it until a utility’s net-metered systems reach 4% of its 1996 peak load. PSE has passed that level and kept it open. Existing customers keep their agreements.
Does PSE still offer net metering in 2026?
Yes. PSE Rate Schedule 150 stays open to new applicants until a new net metering rate schedule is in place, and customers approved under Schedule 150 can stay on it.
What happens to my extra solar credits at the end of the year?
Banked credits reset once a year. State law sets March 31; PSE uses March 31, Clallam County PUD resets in March, and Jefferson County PUD’s page says April. Any credit left over goes to the utility and is not paid out.
Is there a size limit for net metering in Washington?
Yes, 100 kW. That covers most homes, farms and small commercial buildings. Larger systems need a separate interconnection agreement with the utility.
Do I still pay a monthly bill with net metering?
Yes. Every utility here charges its basic monthly or base charge even if your system covers all the energy you use over the year.
Can I add a battery and keep net metering?
Yes. A battery added to a grid-tied system needs an updated interconnection with the utility. PSE customers can also enrol it in PSE Flex and keep net metering, but not on PSE’s Time-of-Use rate.
Find out what net metering would save you
Tell us about your home or business and your utility. We will size a system to your annual use, quote it, and handle the permit and the interconnection with your utility. Or call the shop, Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm.