Thinking about going solar in Dayton but not sure how AES Ohio’s net metering really works? You are not alone. You want lower bills, a resilient home, and smart choices that protect resale value. In this quick guide, you will learn how credits show up on your bill, the 120 percent sizing cap, fees and timelines, and what changed for federal tax credits in 2025. All details are current as of October 2025. Let’s dive in.
Net metering basics in Dayton
How AES Ohio net metering works
AES Ohio installs a bidirectional meter that measures energy flowing to and from your home. The utility nets your usage and applies credits to your bill for any extra power you send to the grid. These are bill credits, not cash payments, and unused credits roll to the next month. You can review the utility’s policy on the AES Ohio net metering page.
What your exports are worth
For most homeowners, exported kilowatt-hours are credited based on AES Ohio’s Standard Offer Rate for generation. If you are on a contract with a competitive retail electric supplier, your export credit can differ, so check your supplier agreement. Dayton residents on the city’s aggregation plan should review terms on the City of Dayton aggregation program page.
Monthly netting and carryover
Credits apply to your current bill first. Any remaining balance carries forward. If you stop taking service under the same arrangement, such as moving or switching to a supplier that does not accept the credit, you could lose unused credits. The high-level rules are outlined on the AES Ohio net metering page.
System size, equipment, and outages
The 120 percent sizing cap
Ohio rules limit residential systems to about 120 percent of your prior year’s usage. This keeps systems sized to your household needs. Pull 12 months of bills so your installer can right-size your design under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4901:1-10-28.
Equipment and interconnection levels
Most Dayton homes follow AES Ohio’s Level 1 interconnection for systems up to 25 kW. Inverters must meet standards such as IEEE 1547 and UL 1741, and you will submit an online application for review. Start with the utility’s process overview on the AES Ohio interconnection page.
What happens during outages
Typical grid-tied systems shut down during a grid outage for safety. To power your home when the grid is down, you need a battery or approved backup equipment that is designed for that use and permitted through the interconnection process. See the guidance on the AES Ohio interconnection page.
Fees, timeline, and what to expect
Utility fees you will see
Plan for an application fee and a one-time $95 meter exchange to install the bidirectional meter. AES reports residential customers typically see about $130 in total utility-related charges for Level 1 interconnections, though larger systems can incur higher fees. Confirm the current fees before you apply on the AES Ohio interconnection page.
Review timelines
Level 1 applications usually move fastest, often a few weeks from complete submittal to approval, while larger or complex projects can take longer. Expect several weeks to a few months depending on system size and any required studies. The step-by-step stages are outlined on the AES Ohio interconnection page.
Costs, production, and payback context in Dayton
Typical installed costs and output
Recent Dayton snapshots show average installed prices around $2.50 to $2.75 per watt, depending on equipment and roof complexity. You can review local pricing snapshots on EnergySage’s Dayton page. In southwest Ohio, many homes see roughly 1,200 to 1,450 kWh per kW installed each year, though shading and orientation matter. Ask your installer to model your roof with NREL’s PVWatts tool for a site-specific estimate.
Federal tax credit update for 2025
Historically, the Residential Clean Energy Credit covered 30 percent of system costs. In 2025, Congress passed H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which ends the residential solar credit after December 31, 2025. Always confirm current rules on the IRS Residential Clean Energy Credit page and review the statutory change on Congress.gov. Consider speaking with a tax professional before you finalize your budget.
Market and incentives in Ohio
Ohio does not require utilities to buy back exports at full retail. Net metering is set by state rules and your utility or supplier contract. This makes your actual export rate and your roof’s production two of the biggest drivers of payback.
Resale value considerations
Independent research shows that homes with host-owned solar often sell for a premium compared with similar non-solar homes, while leased systems can complicate transactions. For a data-backed view, see the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s study on sale premiums for owned solar systems at Berkeley Lab News Center.
A simple way to estimate your savings
- Find your last 12 months of kWh usage from AES Ohio bills.
- Ask your installer to model your roof with PVWatts and note the expected annual kWh your system will produce.
- Estimate credits by multiplying the kWh you expect to export by your current generation rate. Your bill shows whether you are on AES Ohio’s Standard Offer or a CRES plan, which can change the export credit value.
Tip: Track assumptions in writing, including system size, modeled kWh per year, and the rate used for credits. This makes it easy to compare bids.
Dayton homeowner checklist
- Gather 12 months of AES Ohio bills so you can size under the 120 percent cap and estimate savings.
- Review AES Ohio’s interconnection steps and fees, and share the requirements with your installer early in the process.
- Request a PVWatts or similar model for your exact address, and compare at least 2 to 3 bids.
- Confirm how your exports are credited, especially if you are in Dayton’s aggregation program or on a CRES contract.
- Consider battery backup if outage resilience matters to you, and confirm interconnection and permit requirements.
- Verify current incentives and tax law before signing, and ask a tax professional whether a federal credit will apply to your installation date in 2025.
The bottom line for Dayton homeowners
Net metering with AES Ohio is straightforward once you know the rules. Size to your usage, confirm how your supplier credits exports, and plan for a modest utility fee and meter swap. If you see solar as part of your home’s value story, we can help you weigh upgrades for resale, explain what buyers ask about solar, and connect you with trusted resources so you can move forward confidently.
Ready to talk through solar’s impact on your next move or sale in the Dayton area? Reach out to Juliet Wenzler for calm, clear guidance grounded in local market expertise.
FAQs
What is AES Ohio net metering in Dayton and how do credits work?
- AES Ohio installs a bidirectional meter, nets your usage each month, and applies bill credits for surplus generation that carry forward rather than paying cash.
How does the 120 percent Ohio rule affect my system size?
- You are generally capped at about 120 percent of your prior year’s usage, so gather 12 months of bills to right-size and avoid oversizing.
Do I get cash for extra solar power with AES Ohio?
- No, you typically receive bill credits based on your applicable generation rate, and those credits roll to future bills until used.
What if I am in Dayton’s electric aggregation program?
- Aggregation usually means a competitive supplier handles your generation, so confirm that supplier’s net metering terms because export credits can differ from AES Ohio’s standard offer.
Will my solar panels power my home during a grid outage?
- Not unless you add a battery or approved backup equipment; standard grid-tied systems shut off during outages for safety.
What utility fees should I expect for interconnection?
- Most homes see an application fee plus a one-time $95 meter exchange, with typical total AES-related charges around $130 for Level 1 residential systems.
