Top Takeaways
First Energy changed to a 9.343 cent/kWh solar export credit on January 1, 2025
AEP changed to a 12.41 cent/kWh solar export credit on March 1, 2026
Net Metering History in West Virginia
Net metering, or ‘NEM,’ allows solar customers to send excess solar generation not used in your home into the electric grid in exchange for a credit on your electric bill. Net metering programs can vary in design.
First Energy changed to an export credit on January 1, 2025.
AEP changed to a solar export credit on March 1, 2026.
West Virginia customers who had a solar interconnection application approved before these dates are grandfathered on the prior 1-to-1 net metering policy for 25 years.
Solar Export Credits
Under the new Input/Output Policies, solar production will first power electrical loads in the home, and then unless the system includes battery storage, will export excess solar to the grid in exchange for a credit.
Solar produced and immediately consumed or stored in the home, avoids using electricity from the utility saving the retail rate per kWh. The retail rate is the price per kilowatt-hour based charges the utility charges today.
Input electricity from the utility, grid usage that the solar system may not immediately provide, WV customers will be billed the utility's retail rate per kWh.
Output solar generation not consumed in the home, the exports to the grid will be credited the following rates:
First Energy (Mon Power & Potomac Edison) at 9.343 cents/kWh
AEP (Appalachian Power & Wheeling Power) at 12.41 cents/kWh
The export credit values are current as of August 2026, and are subject to change by the WV Public Service Commission. The export credits are about 70-75% of the utility's retail rate per kWh.
Utility Billing
Utility bills will show Input electricity charges minus solar Output credits. In addition, you will always have a monthly electric bill to cover base customer charges ($7-$13) and taxes regardless of how much your solar system produces. And you will also have a bill from Palmetto LightReach for your solar system production.
Grandfathered NEM Systems
Customers who submitted a solar interconnection application before January 1, 2025 in First Energy, and before March 1, 2026 in AEP, are grandfathered on the former 1-to-1 net metering credits for 25 years. Customers may add battery storage without losing grandfathering status, however, they may not add more than 1 kW or 10% of PV, whichever is greater.
Output Credits in First Energy
The Net Energy Metering Rider in the utility’s Electric Tariff contains the current Metered Output rates. The credit values may change, but not by more than 10% year to year. The credit rate of 9.3 cents per kWh will remain through December 31, 2026. The WV Public Service Commission must approve any changes.
Net Energy Metering Rider - Output Policy
Net Energy Metering Rider - Output Policy
