Net metering with San Miguel Power Association
San Miguel Power Association is a member-owned cooperative serving the western San Juan region. Under SMPA's net metering policy, a bi-directional meter tracks power in both directions and excess solar earns credits on your bill per the co-op's net metering procedure.
Credit mechanism
Bill credits for excess solar per SMPA policy
Approval
Two-step application with engineering review
Regulation
Board-governed co-op; own rate design
How it works, step by step
A bi-directional meter measures both flows
SMPA's net meter reads electricity in two directions: power delivered from the grid and excess solar your system sends back. Solar consumed inside your home never touches the meter — it directly reduces what you buy.
Excess production is credited on your bill
When your panels produce more than your home uses, the surplus flows to the grid and is credited to your account under SMPA's net metering policy, offsetting energy you buy in lower-sun months.
A two-step application before you build
SMPA uses a two-step process: Step 1 is an application with a production estimate that SMPA's engineering team reviews against the local circuit; only after approval can installation begin. Step 2 confirms hardware and installation compliance. Seed Solar manages both steps for you.
Engineering review can take a few weeks
Every proposed system is modeled by SMPA's engineering department to confirm the circuit can handle it, so build in a few weeks of lead time before installation can start — we account for this in your project schedule.
Good to know
- SMPA has offered renewable energy rebates for solar, small wind, and hydro at various times — we check what's currently available when we quote your project.
- As a co-op, SMPA's net metering terms are set by its board and can change; we verify the current policy and rates for your address before you sign.
- Getting the account number, member name, and service address exactly right on the application matters — mismatches are a common cause of Step 1 denials, and we double-check them for you.
Utility rates and net metering rules change over time. This overview reflects San Miguel Power Association's program as of mid-2026 — always confirm current terms at SMPA — Net Metering. When you get a quote from us, we verify the current rules for your address.
Solar designed around SMPA's rules
We size and design every system for your utility's exact rate structure — so your savings estimate reflects how San Miguel Power Association actually credits solar.