Virtual Net Energy Metering
Supporting California's Clean Energy Goals
How Virtual Net Energy Metering works
Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM)* allows several customers to share a single solar system. The plan is for properties with many tenants, like apartment complexes and office buildings.
Here’s an example of Virtual Net Energy Metering:
The owner of this four-unit apartment building installed a solar system. Each of the four units plus the common area receives a portion of the solar system’s output (kWh) each month.
In this example, you live in Unit 3 and are assigned 20% of the solar energy generated. If the solar system produces 100 kWh during the month, 20 kWh will be applied to your account as a generation credit to help offset your electricity usage.
Although the building’s total usage is calculated through a single meter, tenants still receive an individual bill that’s due each month and highlights charges and credits.
Customer-Owned Systems
If your home or business is already part of VNEM and you install a customer-owned system such as solar panels or a battery that exports energy to the grid, your account will be billed under the Solar Billing Plan (SBP). You’ll continue to receive credits from your property’s virtual system through Virtual Net Energy Metering (VNEM), and credits from both systems will be combined on your bill.
Prior approval from your property manager and/or building owner may be required before installing a customer-owned system. Click here learn more about the installation process. Once interconnected, a one-time $25 service setup fee applies per qualified customer account.
Non-Export Customer-Owned Systems
If you install a customer-owned system that does not export energy back to the grid (non-export), you will continue to be billed under VNEM. Once installed, your account may be subject to additional charges, such as Departing Load Charges (DLC) or Standby Charges.
*Note: the existing VNEM program closed to new applications after February 14, 2024. Learn more about the CPUC decision.