Defined term

Export compensation rate

An export compensation rate is the monetary or bill-credit value assigned to eligible electricity delivered from a customer energy system to the grid under a specified program or tariff.

Also known as solar export rate

grid · Concept code GS-CONCEPT-064 · Last verified August 20, 2026

Definition and boundaries

Definition

An export compensation rate is the monetary or bill-credit value assigned to eligible electricity delivered from a customer energy system to the grid under a specified program or tariff.

Applicable jurisdiction: US; programs vary by jurisdiction and utility

Definition claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026

In plain language

For Export compensation rate, the controlling utility tariff, interconnection document, meter arrangement, and jurisdiction matter more than a generic national description.

What it is not

It is not necessarily the retail import price and it is not the same thing as the quantity exported.

Decision context

Why it matters

Rate basis, time period, avoided-cost method, retail linkage, fees, caps, credit carryover, true-up, taxes, and eligibility must be taken from current controlling rules.

Applicable jurisdiction: US; programs vary by jurisdiction and utility

Decision-context claim verification: Verified August 20, 2026

Information boundary

This page provides general educational context, not a site design, production guarantee, utility determination, contract interpretation, legal opinion, tax conclusion, or individualized financial advice. Verify property, equipment, utility, jurisdiction, program, and agreement details before acting.

Concept relationships

Broader concepts

  • Electricity pricingPublished conceptExport compensation rate is a more specific concept under Electricity pricing

Affects

  • Payback periodPublished conceptExport compensation rate can affect how Payback period is evaluated

Primary sources

What to do next

Back to Grid concepts