Many people install solar systems thinking that it would reduce or even eliminate their reliance on grids, ultimately eliminating their electricity bills. Are you also living in this misunderstanding?
No doubt that solar panels reduce the bills, but zero billing is something you should avoid expecting. Even if all of your electricity needs are fulfilled by your solar system, still you would have to pay the utility bills for having a grid connection.
In this post, we will discuss the reasons for having an electric bill even after the installation of solar panels and how solar panels could still reduce your electricity cost.
5 Reasons of Still Having an Electric Bill After Installing Solar Panels
There is no doubt that solar panels generate electricity from the sun, but there are times when your panels do not produce enough electricity to run all devices at your home. This is when you would need to consume electricity from the grid, leading to having an electric bill even after solar system installation. Here are the top 5 reasons of still having an electric bill;
- Night or cloudy days
- Utility charges
- Solar system size and quality
- Net metering policy
- Lack of solar battery storage
Night or Cloudy Days
One of the main reasons for having an electric bill after solar panel installation is that they cannot generate electricity without the sun. So when the sun goes down or the sky is overcast, PV panels could not produce electricity and you would need the grid electricity to fulfill your needs.
Utility Charges
Your bill might have some fixed fees or charges that you are supposed to pay even if you don’t use a single unit. These charges may include connection fee, metering fee, wiring fee or levy, etc. These charges have a flat fixed rate that you are bound to pay whether you have a solar system or not.
Solar System Size and Quality
Sometimes the size or efficiency of your solar panels is not enough to generate the electricity required to fulfill your needs. In such a case, you would rely on grid electricity to fulfill the extra demand that your solar system could not fulfill, adding up to your electricity bill.
In general, the larger and efficient the solar system is, the higher the amount of electricity produced by it and the lower the electricity bill would be.
Net Metering Policy
Net metering is a policy in Ireland according to which you can sell excess electricity back to the grid and earn credits. You may use those credits when your panels don’t produce enough electricity like at nights or thunderstorms.
But if your net metering policy purchases electricity at a low rate and sells at high prices, you may still receive the electric bills.
Lack of Solar Battery Storage
A solar battery storage system stores the extra amount of electricity produced during daytime to make it usable at night or when the sun is not shining. Although this system has the power to eliminate your reliance on the electric grid, that would be too expensive.
But if you don’t have this system installed at your place, you would definitely have to use grid electricity, adding up to your electric bill ultimately.
How to Reduce Your Reliance on the Grid?
While you still receive electricity bills, you can minimize it by reducing your reliance on grid tied electricity. Some of the measures you can opt to do this include;
- Using energy-efficient appliances
- Shifting energy usage to off peak hours
- Installing a battery storage system
Using Energy Efficient Appliances
Energy efficient appliances like LED lights, energy-star refrigerators or low-flow showerheads could reduce your electricity demand because these devices use less electricity than conventional ones. These devices could also save you money on your electricity bills and maintenance cost as these appliances could relatively last longer than the conventional ones.
Shifting Energy Usage to Off Peak Hours
Shifting your electricity usage to off peak hours (when the demand of electricity is less like at early morning or late night) could reduce your electricity bills.
Installing a Battery Storage System
This system could help you reduce your reliance on grid electricity by storing excess electricity produced by solar panels in a battery and afterwards using it at night time or when the sun is down, instead of wasting it.
What are the Factors That Could Affect Your Solar Savings?
The amount of energy you could save with solar panels depends on several factors, including;
- The size and efficiency of panels
- The amount of sunlight received by solar panels
- Your electricity consumption pattern
Size and Efficiency of Panels
The larger the size and efficiency of panels, the more electricity they could generate, leading to more reduction in the electricity bills.
Amount of Sunlight Received by Solar Panels
The more sunlight received by the panels, the more electricity they would produce, reducing your reliance on the electric grid, ultimately reducing your electricity bills.
However, the amount of sunlight received by the panels keeps on changing depending on the location, time of the day and season. Ideally, you should install solar panels at places with good solar potential and less shading.
Electricity Consumption Pattern
If you use more electricity during day time when your panels are producing the most, you can increase the self-consumption reducing your reliance on the grid.
However, if you use more electricity during night time when your solar system is not producing, you would need more electricity to buy from the grid, leading to increased energy bills.
Go Solar With NuSolas Today!
Are you interested in reducing your electricity bills and enjoy the benefits of clean and green energy? Contact NuSolas Energy today and get the custom solar panels designed and installed for your property. We will make sure that you have a smooth and hassle-free experience from start to finish.
