[harterrt]

OP hints at this - but the problem seems to be net metering lumps capacity payments in with the cost of power.

Some markets run a separate capacity market that rewards power generators explicitly for their capacity - independently of whether they actually generate any electricity. (California's market (CAISO) doesn't do this)

A long time ago I was involved in setting capacity market prices if y'all have follow up questions.

[jdofaz]

Speaking of CAISO they have a cool website with electric prices for much of the western US http://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/prices.aspx

[giantg2]

My utility charges separate amounts for generation and for distribution. In theory (I don't have solar), the electricity generated by the rooftop panels should be compensated at the generation rate. The the utility would then charge the consuming customer the distribution rate.

[aidenn0]

SCE and PG&E both separate out delivery vs. generation costs, and net metering only compensates you for the generation costs, but (per other comments I see here) the delivery costs are laughably low.