What a revenue grade meter is
A revenue grade meter measures your solar system's production accurately enough for those readings to be used to sell SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates — the certificates your system earns for the clean power it produces). To count, it has to meet an accuracy standard called ANSI C12.20.
Most systems already have one built into the inverter, so for most customers there is nothing to buy or arrange.
Which states require a revenue grade meter
Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Washington DC require a revenue grade meter for a system to earn SRECs. You or your installer do need to confirm that your system has one when you sign up with us.
Pennsylvania does not — and that includes systems in other states that register through Pennsylvania's out-of-state program.
How to tell whether your system already has a revenue grade meter
A revenue grade meter is usually built into your inverter. Most inverters made from around 2021 onward have one built in, but not all brands do, so it's worth checking whichever year your system was installed.
To check, look at your inverter's technical sheet and see whether it lists the C12.20 certification. If you're not sure, your installer can confirm it for you.
We ask you to confirm your system has a revenue grade meter when you sign up, so it's worth checking before then.
What to do if your system doesn't have a revenue grade meter
If your system needs a revenue grade meter and doesn't have one, you have three options, and we'll talk you through which makes sense for your system:
Replace the inverter with a newer one that has a revenue grade meter built in. This is usually the most expensive route.
Add a separate revenue grade meter alongside your existing inverter. You keep using the inverter for automatic reporting, and the separate meter's readings are used when production needs to be verified. Your installer can supply one, or a mechanical meter can be fitted. If you add a separate meter, ask your installer to get its details onto your plan set — Washington DC's SREC office asks for extra paperwork when a separate meter isn't shown there.
Register through Pennsylvania's out-of-state program instead, which doesn't require a revenue grade meter. Two things to weigh before choosing this: your system starts earning sellable SRECs from the month it is registered with Pennsylvania, and what you're paid differs between markets. If your system is eligible for the DC market, adding a meter is usually the better option. This route also only works if your system qualifies for the Pennsylvania program, which we can check for you.