Receiving the electricity bill is not the most exciting thing of the month, but if you have just installed a new solar system, you are sure to look forward to it. How much have you saved? How does it compare to your previous bills?
While most solar newcomers will see a favorable impact on their first bill, others may be surprised or disappointed.
You may be wondering “ why are my energy bills still high after going solar? «.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the three most common reasons why your energy bill is still high after putting solar panels on your roof and our top tips to solve them. You deserve to get the most out of your investment and these tips should help you maximize your savings potential.
Reason 1: You use most of your electricity at night.
If you work during the day, you’ll probably find that your appliances and other electrical devices run longer after hours when the sun isn’t shining (and your solar power isn’t generating electricity). From the oven and dishwasher to the washing machine and TV, all this electricity can be very important! If we add to this that you probably use them during peak hours, you have the perfect recipe for a very high electricity bill.
The reality is that if you use most of your electricity at night, most of your solar energy will be exported to the grid, and self-consumption is always the most profitable.
Solution 1: Adapt your consumption with your solar system.
Plan ahead so you can sync your household routines with your solar system.
The most important thing to remember is that solar panels do not generate electricity when the sun goes down. This means that in the absence of a solar battery, the electricity you use at night will come from the grid, not from your solar system.
You have to readjust your energy usage to consume more electricity during the day. But how? Well, it all boils down to two key factors: changing your spending habits and (your new best friends) timers.
Some simple ways to change the load:
- In the summer, put the air conditioner on a timer to cool down the house before you arrive. Once the house is cool and you want to keep the air circulating, you can switch to cooling methods that use less electricity, such as fans.
- Do the same in winter with heating. Set the heating to warm up during the day before you get home.
- Use the timers on your dishwasher, washer, and dryer to run during the day.
- If you don’t want to set timers, save energy-intensive processes (such as washing and drying clothes) for the weekend, when you’re home during the day.
- If you have a pool, install a timer on the pump and filter so they run during the day.
- If the hot water is electric, take a shower in the morning instead of at night.
Solution 2: Install a solar battery.
The other, more efficient (but more expensive) solution would be to install a home storage system. This will allow you to more than double your electricity self-consumption by allowing you to use self-generated solar energy at night or on cloudy days.
Reason 2: You consume more electricity than before.
Some new solar customers have the wrong mindset about their electricity usage; they think that having solar power means that they can suddenly use all the electricity they want, whenever they want, and not have to pay more for it. This is not like this. Solar power can offset your home’s daytime energy use, but if you increase your electricity usage and assume solar will offset it all, you’re probably in for a nasty surprise on your next bill.
Solution: Study your consumption habits and change the load when possible.
First of all, check if this is the problem. Get a copy of two electricity bills: one from before the solar was installed and one from after. Compare the peak and off-peak energy consumption levels between both bills and see if there is any change. If you’re using more energy this cycle, that’s likely the reason for your increased bills.
If you are consuming more energy, the key is to change your consumption habits. Change the load when you can, and be mindful to avoid doing something like turning on the heat all day and night unless absolutely necessary.
If you want to have real-time information about your electricity consumption and really spot opportunities to save money, consider installing a smart meter. It provides you with a graphical representation of your energy consumption throughout the day and allows you to adjust your usage patterns for better efficiency.
Reason 3: Something is wrong with your system.
What if you’re already using most of your energy during off-peak hours and practicing smart spending habits, but your bills are still higher than expected?
If this is the case, it is likely that your solar panels are not working properly for one reason or another. Some of the possible reasons are:
- Your system has not been sized correctly to meet your daily electricity needs.
- Your system is not appropriate for your location or not installed to maximize its potential.
- Your system is faulty.
- Solution: Investigate and correct.
There are ways to calculate if your solar system is producing the expected power based on its size, its location, and the time of year.
For starters, most solar inverters should be able to tell you what your average daily production per kW has been for the last 12 months, which you can compare to the daily average for your state. Your mean should be at least within 90% of the mean.
If you have had your system for less than 12 months, you can calculate it based on your monthly average. NREL’s PV Watts Calculator is a free resource that allows you to estimate the energy output of grid-connected solar installations in a given month, based on your location. The input data may seem a bit complicated at first glance, but each field has an additional information icon that explains its meaning.
Of course, you can skip this step and call the company that sold you the system. Remember that your panels should be covered by a guarantee of at least 10 years. A reputable company will be happy to come and check the system to ensure its operation and performance.
Knowledge is power.
Solar energy is undoubtedly a fantastic way to reduce reliance on the power grid and cut electricity bills. If you’re not seeing the return on investment you expected, chances are you’re not “taking advantage while the sun shines.” With panels, you will only achieve real savings if you are aware of your energy consumption patterns and use the majority of your electricity during the day. If you install a solar battery and have a large enough system, you can cover most (if not all) of your day and night energy use with self-generated electricity.
It is also possible that you have been misled. Some solar sellers exaggerate the savings of solar energy or even lie. Consumers should see red flags if they are promised or guaranteed zero bills, because it is unlikely, especially without a battery installation. A reputable and trusted solar dealer will provide you with a realistic idea of the savings you can expect in your particular circumstances.
