Why is My Electric Bill Going Up if I Have Solar Panels?

If your electric bill is increasing with solar, it could come down to problems like insufficient power generation, increased energy usage, and seasonal variations.

Here’s what you need to know about your PSEG Long Island electric bill and solar.

Do Solar Panels Actually Reduce the Electricity Bill?

Yes, and the savings can be significant. Solar panels will reduce your electricity bill when your system is efficiently designed for your unique needs.

• Net Metering and Your Electricity Bill – Net Metering is the core of your savings with a Long Island solar installation. During the day, your panels generate electricity. This is used by your home first, and any extra is sent to the grid. Rather than paying you immediately for what you generate, PSEG Long Island applies credits to your account for the net difference at the end of each billing month. You only pay for your “net” consumption.
• Annual Solar Savings Strategy – A home solar installation is an investment that works year-round. When you overproduce on long, sunny days (usually May through August), you build up a bank of credits on your PSEG account. This strategy means you are effectively pre-paying for the shorter days of winter. So, even on days when solar is less efficient, your solar panels will still benefit you.
• Maximizing Savings – To enjoy the best possible savings, your system needs to be expertly designed for your unique home. A leading solar company on Long Island will analyze your historical consumption and predict future needs to design a custom solution. The goal is to maximize your long-term savings over the 25+ year lifetime of your system while keeping the upfront cost manageable.

Your bill might be going up if your system wasn’t efficiently designed for your home, or if your energy needs have changed.

Factors That Could Cause Your Bill to Go Up with Solar

Assuming that your solar system was designed by a trusted contractor, there could be several reasons your bill is going up with solar.

• Your energy needs have significantly changed. This is common when installing an electric heat pump for home heating and cooling after your solar system.
• You now have an EV that you charge at home, or have made major home additions that consume electricity, like a pool or hot tub.
• Your solar panels are faulty and aren’t producing the expected electricity.
• New shade structures have reduced the efficiency of your solar panels. Large trees can shade panels and reduce output.
• Your solar panels have accumulated dust and grime and need cleaning to restore their efficiency.
• Your solar panels are approaching the end of their life and are less efficient. If your solar panels are more than 20 years old, they could be significantly less efficient than modern panels, and it might be more economical to upgrade now (especially if your existing panels have already passed the payback period).

What are My Options if My Current Solar Panels Don’t Suit My Needs?

An older solar system can be modified or replaced to suit your current energy needs. If your panels are near replacement age, then you could install a new system with better efficiency and improved savings.

• You can talk to a Long Island solar contractor about options to upgrade your current solar panels with higher output cells and efficient solar microinverters. Or, you could add additional panels to improve output.
• You could install a battery backup solution if you need to store solar electricity to reduce your grid consumption (a great idea if you now have an EV that you charge frequently).
• You could plan a full system replacement for a significantly older solar system. Newer systems have efficiency benefits and convenient features like live monitoring and energy insights to help you save more.

Power Solutions is trusted for efficient and reliable solar installations on Long Island. We provide detailed cost/benefit analysis to ensure that a new system or modifications are suited to your needs today and in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Solar Panels Work in Winter?

Solar panels still work in the winter, but can produce less electricity if there’s less sunlight. Winter days are also shorter, so production generally decreases. The less productive winter months are offset by the highly productive months during summer.

Why Does My Solar Output Not Match My Electric Bill

If your solar output doesn’t match or cover your electric bill, then your system could be undersized for your needs. You can talk to a solar contractor on Long Island to potentially modify or install a new system if yours is approaching its end of life.

Talk to the Most Experienced Solar Company on Long Island

Is it time to replace your solar system, or do you have concerns about your current equipment? You can talk to a trusted solar installer on Long Island for advice and to plan the eventual replacement of your older equipment.

Power Solutions (previously known as Long Island Power Solutions) is a team of passionate solar professionals dedicated to delivering the best long-term savings. Talk to us today for a free solar estimate or assistance with any of your home solar needs.