Behind the Meter Solar PV

This World Resources Institute factsheet explains how to determine the cost-competitiveness of behind-the-meter solar photovoltaic (PV) systems compared to traditional electricity supply options.

• Behind-the-meter generation is considered cost-competitive for end-use consumers if its average cost of energy—derived from the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) or past projects—is equal to or less than the retail electricity price over the project's lifetime. In developing economies, this competitiveness is measured by the retail price combined with savings from backup generation costs.
• In the United States, a common model for behind-the-meter PV involves third-party ownership where the provider sells electricity to consumers at a negotiated price, removing up-front costs. This specific model is cost-competitive if the negotiated price is lower than the retail electricity price throughout the contract period.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Behind the Meter Solar PV. https://www.wri.org/research/behind-meter-solar-pv

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Behind the Meter Solar PV. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/behind-meter-solar-pv.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Behind the Meter Solar PV |url=https://www.wri.org/research/behind-meter-solar-pv |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbehind, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Behind the Meter Solar PV}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/behind-meter-solar-pv}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }