Did you install solar panels to save money on your electricity bill or stop using grid power? But even after some time, you see that your electricity bill hasn’t decreased, and it may have even gone up. You might be thinking, “Why is my electricity bill high even though I have solar panels?” To solve this issue, you can change your habits or address the problem early on. To ensure that your solar panel investment pays off or to prevent this issue in the future, look into the most common reasons for using too much energy and follow our solutions to lower your electricity bill.
What are the Most Common Reasons for High Electric Bills Despite Having Solar Panels?
The average electric bill for a month across the country in 2019 was $115, as per EIA data. Solar panels, if installed and working correctly, can decrease your electricity bill by up to 90%. But it may not always happen as households typically produce just enough solar power to balance a part of their energy usage. There could be several reasons why you might still have a high electricity bill despite having solar panels installed.
Defective Solar System
Solar panels are made to create electricity using sunlight, but sometimes they can go wrong and start using power from the electricity grid, which can make your bill go up a lot. Also, if your solar system isn’t connected to the ground the right way, it could be dangerous and cause a fire.
Your Residence is Consuming Excessive Electricity
Even if you put solar panels on your house, you can still use too much electricity. This means that your electricity bill might not go down even though you have solar panels, it can be because:
- Your solar panels might not be generating enough electricity to cover all of your usages
- You might be using too much electricity at night when your solar panels are not generating any power
- You might have too many appliances or devices plugged in, which is using up more electricity than your solar panels can generate
- You might be leaving appliances and lights on when you’re not using them, which is wasting energy
- You might not be using energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances, which are more efficient and use less energy.
Electric Meter Reading Error
An electric meter measures how much electricity you use. Sometimes the meter might give a wrong reading because of mistakes or broken equipment. If this happens, you could end up paying more for your electricity. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to regularly check your meter and keep track of your electricity use. This way, you can catch any mistakes early and make sure you’re only paying for what you’ve used.
External Factors
If you have checked everything else but your electricity bill is still higher than what you used to pay, you should investigate external reasons. There are many things outside of your control that can reduce the amount of electricity your solar panels produce and increase your bill. Some of these things include:
- The angle of your roof
- The direction your house faces
- Weather
- Dirty solar panels
Solutions to Electricity Overconsumption
It’s important to know how much electricity you use and try to save energy, even if you make your power. We have some tips and ideas to help you save money on your electricity bill after installing solar panels.
Take Care of External Factors
You can’t control the weather or how much sunlight you get, but there are things you can do to get the most out of your solar panels.
Firstly, put them in a sunny spot so they can make more electricity. If your roof isn’t sunny enough, you can try moving the panels around. Secondly, make sure to keep your solar panels clean so they work efficiently. You can learn how to clean them properly in our detailed explanation.
Install a Solar Battery
You may wonder why your electric bill skyrockets during summer when there’s abundant sunlight. The answer is the increased use of air conditioning. However, you can address this issue by considering the installation of a solar battery.
This innovative device stores energy during peak production hours and makes it available whenever you need it. With a solar battery, you can power your home with solar energy 24/7, reducing your reliance on the grid. Additionally, solar batteries can serve as backup power sources during blackouts. Since solar batteries rely on renewable energy, they’re an eco-friendly solution to help you minimize your carbon footprint. Even when the sun isn’t shining, a solar battery can allow you to operate your home almost entirely on solar power.
Install More Solar Panels
Solar panel systems may not provide full benefits to homeowners if they are not sized correctly for their homes, or if the panels are not optimally located or oriented. This can result in higher bills. If you have small solar panels, it is possible that you have miscalculated something and may not have enough panels. To address this issue, you could install additional solar panels or opt for portable solar panels.
Sync Your Usage with Your Solar System
Consider your electricity usage patterns throughout the day. For instance, if you are aware that your solar panels generate more electricity during daylight hours, it would be beneficial to utilize energy-intensive appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher during this time.
Moreover, it is advisable to use energy-efficient appliances during the daytime and switch to lower-wattage bulbs in the evening. And, of course, turn off appliances and lights when they are not in use.
Contact Your Local Solar Contractor
If you have reason to believe that a defective solar system is the cause of your higher average electricity bill, it’s important not to attempt to investigate the wiring on your own. Instead, it’s recommended that you get in touch with a solar contractor. These professionals specialize in the installation of solar panels and can assist in verifying that your system is appropriately sized, located in the best possible position, and operating as it should be.
Benefits Of Solar Panels: Saving Money on Your Electric Bill
- Solar panels can provide significant savings on your electricity bill and have a range of environmental benefits.
- Installing solar panels can save you money by reducing or eliminating your utility bills.
- You may also be able to sell excess energy back to your local utility company.
- Solar panels are usually sized correctly for the amount of electricity needed for a home.
- They generate more electricity when the sun shines brighter.
- In addition to saving money on your electric bill, solar panels can increase property value and promote energy independence.
- A properly installed solar panel system is virtually maintenance-free and can last for decades with little upkeep required.
- Many homeowners have switched to solar because of these advantages!
How Much Energy Do Solar Panels Produce?
- A single solar panel can produce up to 250 watts of electricity per hour.
- The amount of electricity produced depends on the size of the panel and the amount of sunlight it receives.
- Installing solar panels can help reduce electricity costs by generating power and drawing less from the grid.
- Solar panels can store extra energy in a battery, which is useful for powering electric cars, air conditioning, hot water, and other appliances.
- With technological advancements, solar panels can produce more energy, resulting in significant savings in monthly bills for homeowners and businesses.
The Importance of Installing Solar Panels Properly
- Installing solar panels properly ensures optimal function and maximum electricity generation
- Proper installation saves money, conserves energy, and reduces carbon footprint
- Installation involves connecting panels to the battery, inverter, and other components for drawing electricity from the sun
- Correctly installed panels can cover the average electric bill and even provide extra electricity for other devices
- During sunny days, excess power may result in a credit on the monthly statement
- Cloudy days or winter months with less sunlight can lead to higher electric bills
- Correct installation is crucial to avoid overloading the grid and ensure automatic shut-off if too much power is produced
- Homeowners benefit from lower energy bills and reduced carbon footprint with proper installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels replace electricity?
Solar panels usually do not replace electricity entirely but serve as a supplement. Their ability to generate power depends on sunlight, which limits their effectiveness to daytime hours. While some power can be produced on cloudy days, it is typically less than on sunny days. Furthermore, solar systems are unable to provide power during power outages or at night. Therefore, most households with solar panels have backup batteries or grid connections.
Why is my solar true-up bill so high?
If your solar energy consumption for the year turns out to be lower than what was initially estimated at the time of signing up for the service, you may receive a solar true-up bill. This bill could be more than what you anticipated, and there are several reasons:
- The solar company may have underestimated your usage
- You may have used more solar energy than expected
- The price of solar energy may have increased
You may have received a credit from your utility company for excess solar energy generated during the year.
Why are my solar panels not saving me money?
I can rephrase the sentence as: “Despite having solar panels, why am I still receiving high electricity bills, and why am I not experiencing any financial benefits from them?” Here are the most common reasons:
- Faulty or insufficient panels
- Incorrect positioning of solar panels
- Insufficient sun exposure during the day
- High energy consumption during periods of low solar generation
- Incorrect electric meter readings.
Can solar panels produce too much electricity?
Solar panels have the potential to generate more electricity than you need. When this happens, the surplus energy can be directed back to the utility grid, which allows you to make use of the unused solar-generated energy through a process called net metering. Another option is to store the excess energy in a battery and utilize it later as needed. In addition, it’s possible to restrict photovoltaic production or inject it into the grid. It’s crucial to monitor your solar system’s power output to avoid unexpectedly high electric bills resulting from malfunctioning panels drawing power from the grid.
Do I need to tell my electricity supplier I have solar panels?
Informing your electricity supplier about the installation of your solar panels would be beneficial. By doing so, you can ensure that your billing is adjusted accordingly and that you are not overcharged for the energy generated by your solar panels. Moreover, your supplier can assist you in claiming any government incentives or rebates that you may be eligible for. It is also important to keep your supplier updated on any modifications made to your solar panel system to maintain accurate billing information.
How do I know if my solar panels are saving me money?
If you want to ascertain whether your solar panels are cost-effective, you need to compare the energy they generate with the energy you use. If the quantity of energy produced by your solar panels is greater than the energy consumed, you’re probably saving money.