Why You're Seeing a Utility Bill After Going Solar in the Fall
Getting solar turned on late in the year can be confusing -- especially when winter hits and a utility bill shows up sooner than expected. The good news: this is normal, and it absolutely does not mean your system isn't working.
Here's what's happening:
You Haven't Had Time to Build Solar Credits Yet
Solar systems generate the most power from late spring through early fall. When your system is turned on in the fall, you miss the high-production months where most customers build up energy credits.
Winter Production is Naturally Lower
Shorter days, a lower sun angle, and winter weather significantly reduce solar output. Solar systems will generate far less power from November through February.
Your production graph reflects this seasonal drop -- your system is operating correctly.
Your Consumption May Be Higher in Winter
Most homeowners use more electricity in winter due to:
Heating systems and heat pumps
Increased lighting
More time spent indoors
Holiday appliances, décor, and lighting
So, while production goes down, consumption often goes up. That mismatch leads to winter bills.
Solar is Designed for Annual Savings, not Monthly Perfection
Net metering works on a 12-month cycle, not month-to-month. Your system is sized to:
Overproduce in sunny months
Build credits
Use those credits in winter when production dips
Because you started in the fall, you simply haven't gone through a full solar year yet. Once you hit your first summer, you'll see the system starting to produce what you'd expect.
When to Reach Out
It's worth contacting us if:
Your monitoring portal shows little or no production
Your inverter is offline
Your bills are unusually high compared to normal winter usage.
Otherwise, winter bills in your first partial year are completely normal.