In the Summer, Why is My Utility Bill High Even With Solar?

Were you surprised by your last bill from the utility?

With a home solar system, your utility bill depends on many factors, including how your home energy consumption matches your home solar system production.

Your energy offset by your solar production depends on how much energy your home consumes. If you’re a Sunnova customer, your home solar system was designed based on your historical electricity usage in order to offset a certain amount of your energy needs.

The actual energy offset by your home solar system will vary by weather, season, and consumption changes. You will get the most benefit from your home solar system if you continue to practice smart energy consumption - don't increase your energy consumption just because you have solar panels!

If you have a high utility bill, here are a few things to think about:

1. Has your home solar system production changed?
2. External factors may cause a decrease in solar energy production.
• Some regions experience heavy rains in the summer. Have you been dealing with multiple cloudy or rainy days in a row? If you’re a Sunnova customer with a production guarantee, we will make sure you’re compensated for any missed production guaranteed under your agreement.¹
• Are there trees now shading your solar panels? If so, you may need to trim the overgrown greenery.
• Are your solar panels dirty? If so, you may need to spray your panels with a hose.
3. Have your energy consumption patterns changed?

If you received a high utility bill, you may be consuming more energy than the amount used to design your solar system. If you start consuming more energy just because you have solar, your home solar system will not cover your excess consumption.

Also, remember that energy consumption changes seasonally and depends heavily on your local climate. For example, you may have hot summers that require air conditioning, or mild summers where you can get by with celling fans. Holiday guests in the winter consume more energy, but if you’re away on a summer vacation, your home energy consumption may be minimal.

• Did you install any new appliances that may be consuming more energy than before? You may also have an appliance that is consuming more energy because it is not working correctly.
• When was the last time you had your a/c unit serviced?
• Are more or less people home to consume energy?
• Did your utility rate change?

Overall, think of your solar energy payoff as a mix of production, consumption, and utility rates – going solar is a great way to hedge against rising utility costs.

If you’re a Sunnova customer with questions about your bill, please reach out to us!