Cleveland Updates Net Metering Rules for Local Power Users

Cleveland residents looking to install solar panels or other distributed energy resources on their properties will see changes to how their utility billing works. The City Council has passed Emergency Ordinance 588-2026, which updates the rules for Cleveland Public Power (CPP) regarding net metering services. This legislative move aims to help the Department of Public Utilities manage the increasing number of residents connecting their own energy sources to the city's electric grid.

According to the 587-2026 & 588-2026- Legislative Summary- Net Metering (002), the updates to Codified Ordinances 523.25 and 523.26 remove previous maximum project size limits and clarify the approval process required to protect the safety and integrity of the electric distribution system. The new rules also introduce specific terminology for customers with distributed generation and update billing methods. Under these changes, power generated by a customer will first reduce the Power Supply Recovery (PSR) portion of their bill up to the full amount of the PSR. Any excess power generated will then be applied as a "Customer Owned Generation Credit," which is calculated based on CPP’s purchased power cost at the time of the original billing. These adjustments are intended to maintain equitable funding for the electric distribution system while maximizing the capacity for residents to install approved energy projects.

The ordinance has officially passed. Residents planning future distributed energy projects can monitor the Department of Public Utilities for updated interconnection processes and requirements as they implement these new standards.

Source record

File
588-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
May 6, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources