While the rest of us may dread seeing their electricity bill each month, those with a newly installed solar energy system might actually look forward to it arriving in the post. Make sure you compare your new bill to your old bill including the daily charges and amount you pay per kilowatt hour. Is this amount comparable to past bills?
Pretty much every new solar customer will get a reduced bill in the months preceding the installation but sometimes customers receive a a bit of a shock and find their bill hasn’t dropped by as much as they thought it would. Let us have a look at what might be stopping you from taking full advantage of your new solar electricity system.
Your Power Consumption is Mostly at Night
Once the sun goes down, your solar panels are no longer generating free electricity and your home starts using power from the grid. Appliances such as your oven, heating and cooling systems, microwave, washing machine, or even your TV can draw quite a large amount of power from the grid. If you’re using these appliances during peak hours, which are generally from 3pm. to 9pm, and after the sun goes down, you will be consuming electricity from the grid, which increases your bill.
And this problem will be more pronounced if you consume most of your energy at night. Without access to sunlight, your house wont be utilising the free electricity it generates during the day and has to draw electricity from the grid instead. While your solar system will accumulate a small feed-in credit for the solar you push into the grid during the day it generally isn’t enough to offset high nighttime energy use.
It’s worth reflecting on your daily energy consumption. Consider how much you use things like your TV, oven, water heater, air-conditioning or clothes dryer. By working out when you use these appliances the most, you may see opportunities to move some of that usage to the daytime hours, when your solar system is actively generating free, clean power. This is called load shifting and remains the easiest and most cost effective way to further reduce your energy bills once you have solar panels installed.
Align Your Energy Consumption With the Sun’s Cycle
Your solar panels don’t produce electricity after the sun goes down. Without a solar battery to store excess energy, your home turns to the grid at night and this drives up your power bill.
Solar generation is directly dependent on sunlight. The more you can run appliances throughout the day instead of at night, the less you pay for grid power later on. But seasonal weather, rain, clouds, even snow on the Dandenongs or Mount Macedon, can reduce solar output. Fortunately, these conditions are only temporary, and your panels will soon be restored to peak performance once the weather passes.
This is where load shifting comes in. By shifting your routine to use more power when the sun is shining, you’ll get more value from your solar system (and, ultimately, your buck). Timers and smart scheduling are your best friends.
Load shifting can be very simple. Here are some tips:
- In summer, program your air conditioner to cool during the day, even if you aren’t home. Then use fans to circulate air into the evening.
- In winter, set your heating to warm up the house in advance so that it’s comfortable when you arrive home from school or work.
- Set timers on dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers to run during daylight hours.
- Limit laundry and power-intensive chores to weekends, when you’ll be home to take advantage of the free solar energy.
- For pool owners, running the pump and filter during the day.
- If you have an electric hot water system put it on a daytime heat cycle.
You’ll get the most out of your solar energy generation and keep your energy bills down with these tips.
Get a Solar Battery Setup
A solar battery allows you to use your solar power after dark. Batteries are getting cheaper to purchase every year and with the new Federal Government battery rebate now might be a great time to look at your options.
Budgets Blown Due to Higher Consumption Habits
A lot of new solar users believe they can take as much energy as they like for free, but that is not the case. Solar panels lower daytime demand on the grid, but overusage — particularly at night — creates higher costs.
If your solar system isn’t reducing your electricity bills as much as you thought it may be because:
- Your system isn’t producing enough energy to meet your daily needs.
- You’re using a lot of energy at night.
- Appliances, heating and cooling systems and lights are left on needlessly.
- You haven’t switched to energy-efficient lights and appliances.
- Overall energy use is rising as more people work from home.
You’ll draw power from the grid and may incur higher costs if your home’s energy demands outstrip your solar output.
Understand Your Energy Consumption Patterns and Make Adjustments
Start by looking at your electricity bills pre-solar versus post-solar. Check peak and off-peak use for any jumps. Higher bills just mean more was used during the billing period.
If you are experiencing higher bills, it could be time to change your habits. For a smooth distribution of energy, try to use energy in the daytime and avoid switching on high-load appliances like heaters at peak hours. Installing a smart meter could help as it gives you real-time data on your energy use so you can see when and where to trim back. All solar systems now come with smart meter and utility apps that show your daily energy patterns to help you make informed decisions.
Look for Infrastructure Problems
If you already perform household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and running AC systems during cheaper off-peak hours, and your bills are still high, the issue may be with your solar system. Possible issues include:
- Your system is undersized for your energy needs.
- You haven’t optimized your installation for your environment.
- Your system could be offline and not operational.
Also, make sure your inverter solar app is installed and active. Your inverter manufacturer typically has this software available and it is a useful tool to this, and until it’s running, professionals recommend keeping your system off. Also, be aware that your solar system may not be turned on immediately, even after installation. Some homeowners believe they’re already generating their energy from the sun and ramp up their appliance use — only to be surprised by the bill.
To prevent this from happening, always verify that the installer has activated. They can check whether your solar panels are functioning and make sure everything is working.
Check Your Solar System’s Performance
Your solar system’s output depends on factors like panel size, location, and time of year. Start by reviewing your solar inverter, which typically shows a 12-month rolling average of daily kilowatt output. Compare this with your state’s average — aim to stay within 10%.
If your system is newer than 12 months, calculate a monthly average instead. Tools like the NREL PVWatts Calculator can estimate expected production for grid-connected systems. While the tool might look complex at first, built-in tips make it easier to navigate.
If you suspect underperformance, contact your solar provider. Most panels come with at least a 10-year warranty, and reputable suppliers will inspect the system at no extra cost. For accurate diagnostics and repairs, you can also consult a local solar electrician.
If your energy bills are rising despite having solar, your system could be malfunctioning. Here’s what to do:
- Check your solar tracking app to monitor energy production and consumption.
- Contact your installer for a professional assessment and quick fixes to restore performance.
Go Solar the Smart Way
Solar panels are a great way to reduce reliance on the grid and lower energy bills — but only if you use them wisely. To see real savings, shift as much of your energy use as possible to daylight hours. Pairing your panels with a solar battery can also cover most of your day and night energy needs, as long as your system is properly sized.
Be cautious of exaggerated sales claims. Promises of zero electricity bills are often misleading, especially without battery storage. Work with trusted solar providers who offer realistic projections of your savings and system performance.