Why You're Seeing a Utility Bill After Years Without One
If you've had solar for a couple of years with little to no utility bill and suddenly a new bill shows up, it's normal to assume something must be wrong with your system. The good news: in most cases, your solar is still working exactly as designed.
Here's what to check:
Verify That the Solar System is Operating Normally
Your first step is confirming production. Use your monitoring app to verify this. If your system is producing power daily, then the issue is almost never equipment failure.
Your Energy Usage May Have Increased Over Time
Households rarely use the same amount of electricity year after year. Even small lifestyle or equipment changes can push you above your original offset.
Common reasons usage increases:
EV charger installation
Pool or hot tub added
Geothermal or heat pump upgrades
New appliances
Additional people living in the home
Seasonal consumption changes
Your solar system was designed based on your original historical usage. If your usage grows significantly, you may surpass what the system was sized to cover.
Understanding "100% Offset"
A 100% offset design means the system is expected to generate, over 12 months, roughly the same amount of electricity you consume in a year. It does not guarantee:
No future bills
Exact monthly matching
Coverage for new or increased loads
If your lifestyle or equipment needs have changed, your original offset can shift.
When You Should Contact Support
Reach out if:
Monitoring shows zero or abnormally low production
A panel, optimizer, or inverter appears offline
Your bill increased dramatically without any explanation
We can review your system's performance and your current usage to determine if an adjustment or expansion is needed.