Net metering policies vary wildly by state — check before assuming solar ROI

Net metering (selling excess solar production back to the grid at retail rate) is what makes residential solar financially viable in most markets. But several states have reduced or eliminated net metering (California NEM 3.0 cut export rates by 75%). Before signing a 20-year solar loan, verify your utility current net metering rate AND whether it is grandfathered. A system designed for $0.30/kWh export that gets $0.05 changes the entire payback calculation.