Electric Bill Still High With Solar? Why It Happens in Arizona
Solar lowers your bill, but it rarely makes it zero, and some months it can look higher than you expected. Here's what's usually going on, how to check your bill, and how to tell whether your system needs a look.
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The short answer
A solar bill that's higher than you expected usually comes down to one of three things: you used more power, your rate plan or charges changed, or your system is making less power than it used to.
The first two are about the bill. The third is about the equipment. The good news is you can usually tell which one it is with your bill and your monitoring app, before you call anyone.
Why solar bills are rarely zero
Even a system that's working well doesn't erase the whole bill. A few reasons:
- ▸Fixed charges stay. Most plans have a monthly service charge that you pay no matter how much power you make. Solar reduces the energy part of your bill, not every line on it.
- ▸You still buy power at night. Panels don't produce after sunset. In Arizona, a lot of summer cooling happens in the evening, after production drops off.
- ▸Exports are worth less than imports. On many current solar plans, power you send to the grid is credited at a lower rate than the power you buy back. So making a lot at noon doesn't fully cancel out what you use at 7 p.m.
That's normal, and it's why two neighbors with the same size system can have very different bills.
What changes the bill on APS
APS solar customers on newer plans are credited through the Resource Comparison Proxy, or RCP. APS describes it as a rider that measures the excess power you don't use and gives you a monthly bill credit at the RCP rate.
Under APS's tariff, each customer's initial RCP rate is applicable for 10 years from the time of their interconnection. The rate for new customers changes over time, so two homes that went solar in different years can be getting different export credits.
If your APS bill went up, look at:
- ▸Total kWh delivered. Did you use more power from the grid than the same month last year?
- ▸The net electricity credit. Did you send less power to the grid than usual?
- ▸Your rate plan. Plans with on-peak hours charge more for power used during those hours.
What changes the bill on SRP
Many SRP solar customers are on plans with a demand charge. SRP's bill guide says the demand charge changes each month based on the demand your account places on the system.
On the Customer Generation plan, SRP bases the demand charge on the single highest 30-minute on-peak reading in the month. That means one evening with the AC, the oven, the dryer, and an EV charger all running at once during on-peak hours can raise the bill for the whole month.
If your SRP bill went up, look at:
- ▸The on-peak kW figure on your bill. A higher number than usual often explains a higher demand charge.
- ▸When you're running big appliances. Moving laundry, pool pumps, and EV charging out of on-peak hours can lower demand.
- ▸Your total kWh used. The same usage check applies here as on APS.
Usage changes that sneak up on you
Before you blame the panels, think about what's changed at home:
- ▸A hotter month than last year, or a thermostat set lower
- ▸A new pool pump, hot tub, EV, freezer, or second fridge
- ▸More people home during the day, or guests staying over
- ▸An AC unit that's running longer because it's aging or low on refrigerant
Any of these can raise a bill even when the solar system is doing its job.
How to tell if the solar is the problem
Your monitoring app is the best tool here.
1. Compare production month to month. Look at what the system made this month and the same month last year. Weather changes things a little, but a big drop is a red flag. 2. Look for zero days. Days with no production at all usually point to an inverter, breaker, or connection problem. 3. Check whether the app is updating. If the app hasn't updated in days, the system may still be producing. The monitoring device may just be offline. 4. Look at the inverter. Error codes, red lights, or no lights at all are worth a photo.
If production looks normal, the higher bill is most likely usage or rates. If production dropped or stopped, the system needs a closer look.
When to get help
Call your utility if you have questions about a specific charge, your credit, or your rate plan. The number is on your bill.
Call a licensed solar company if:
- ▸Production dropped and the weather doesn't explain it.
- ▸The system shows error codes or has days with zero production.
- ▸You don't have monitoring, or you can't log in, and you have no way to see what the system is making.
- ▸Your installer is no longer in business and you don't know who to call.
A solar assessment checks the panels, inverter, and wiring and compares what the system is producing with what it should be making. If something's broken, the fix is handled through solar repair. If you want someone watching production for you over time, the SolarFIX maintenance and monitoring program includes monitoring.
If you lease your system
If you lease your panels or have a PPA, you may have two bills: one from the utility and one from the solar company. The company that owns the equipment usually handles repairs to it. Check your contract, and if the system isn't producing, contact that company first.
The bottom line
A solar bill that isn't zero is normal. A bill that jumped is worth checking. Start with your usage and your rate plan, then compare your system's production with last year. If production dropped, have the system checked. If production looks fine, your utility can walk you through the charges.
FAQ
Should my electric bill be zero with solar?+
Usually not. Most solar homes still pay fixed monthly charges, and they still buy power from the grid at night and on cloudy days. Some plans also have demand charges. How low your bill gets depends on your system size, your usage, and your rate plan.
How do I know if my solar is the problem or the bill is?+
Compare what the system produced with the same month last year, using your monitoring app. If production is about the same, the change is more likely usage or rates. If production dropped, the system may need a look.
Who do I call about a billing question?+
Call your utility for questions about charges, credits, or your rate plan. The phone number is on your bill. For questions about whether the system is producing what it should, call a licensed solar company.
Related: Solar assessment · Solar repair · Solar maintenance and monitoring program · Solar panel inspection
Not sure why your bill went up?
Send SolarFIX a few recent electric bills and your monitoring app login. We'll help you figure out whether it's your usage, your rate plan, or your solar system.