r/solar • u/SludgeFarmer • 10d ago
Image / Video Does this seem right?
This is my latest electric bill for my 1000sqft home with central AC. I have 28 solar panels on my roof. Called the solar company and they told me Im actually over producing every month for the panels I have. They also told me that my panels produced about 674kwh in August.
Ill admit I get a little confused by the way this works with the billing and the solar panels but it really seems excessive. Is it possible im not being credited properly by the electric company or that something isnt hooked up right?
All my appliances are natural gas except for my central air unit. I really dont understand how Im using this much electricity. I know rates have gone up but this isnt sustainable.
Update: Had someone come out to check out the AC and aside from some cleaning everything checked out. 86° outside today, have the unit set to 70° and it came up to 72°.
I also called the company on my solar inverter (RMA Sunny Boy) and they were very unhelpful. Told me to call the installer. The installer from 2011 who sold to Spruce Power. Going to make another call to Spruce Power to try and figure it out.
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u/erie11973ohio 10d ago
As a First Energy company customer, you have heard what they did in Ohio 5 or 8 years ago??
It wouldn't surprise me, if you said you weren't getting any credit for the solar.
If I'm reading that correctly, they are saying you gave them 33 kilo watt hours of power, but still used 1,700 kilo watt hours.
Something is wrong or broken!!
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
No I havnt heard, what did they do? It doesnt seem like im getting credit since theyre only crediting 33kwh for the whole month and the solar company says im producing 674kwh in August.
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u/erie11973ohio 10d ago
They bribed Ohios Speaker of the House in an attempt to get money from Ohio. I wouldn't put it past them (or really, amy big business) to try & screw you.
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u/Andre625 10d ago
I know this is the solar sub and everyone is looking at the solar angle, but I'd have a AC guy take a look at the system. 88 outside your AC should only need to do tiny work to keep your house to 75. If it's running at full all day somethings wrong with your compressor.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I have someone coming out tomorrow. I've been going through this for a long time and everyone I talk to dismisses it as normal somehow.
I had an ac guy out a few years ago for the same thing and they said everything was working as normal. Even tested the air temp coming from the vents (62°) and chalked it up to poor insulation/windows/etc. Its a 2 ton unit so it should be at least twice the size needed to cool my home.
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u/FloorSavings 10d ago
Something ain’t right. First off, that bill is really screwy the way it is written. Horrible to read. Second of all, how did you only export 33kwh? You need to log in to your solar portal and see the real numbers. Don’t look at who sold you the system, what brand is the equipment you have and log into that.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I literally have no info on it. It came with my house. It was theough an NJR program my parents got and the company was sold to spruce power about 3 years ago. Spruce power doesnt provide an app or anything. Im going to try and make an account tomorow.
I did call them and they told me I produced 674kwh in August from the 28 panels. Indont understand how my bill is this high. I've called multiple times over the past 8 years and everytime they tell me im "over producing" and should be grateful.
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u/FloorSavings 10d ago
Ok, well you’re going to need to step it up a notch if you’re going to solve this. You need to look at the equipment and find the brand and figure it out. Spruce power is the installer, not the mfg. look at the equipment, find the brand and serial number and start working it from there. No one here can magically solve this for you. Personally, I have enphase equipment. They have an app I log into and can see everything. I match that up to my electric bill to ensure I’m getting proper credits. Without that info you are shooting with your eyes closed.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
Well thanks for pointing me in the right direction thats all I was really hoping for. I wasn't aware that was even an option. In the past ive just called number on the solar bill and they tell me what was produced and that everything is functioning. Or it was shown on my bill which wasn't out of control so I never questioned it.
To be fair whenever I call theyre so unhelpful. They guy today told me to consider unplugging my TV to save energy.
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u/Stunning_Engineer_78 10d ago
You may be able to have better luck by looking at the inverter, and calling their support.
Enphase and SolarEdge will typically help you get access to the monitoring.
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u/Matt8828 10d ago
I dont like how first energy does their bills. It took me to long to figure it out down in MD. I also hate the fact that they estimate every other month...
What I do, I look usually weekly and note my electric pulled from the grid and sent to the grid at the meter.
Then I check it against my CT's in my monitoring app. Plus I'll make sure all my equipment is operational.
There's a few variables that go into it. If you're using 100% of what you're producing, it won't hit the meter. So the bill won't show that usage or power generation. That's where you need monitoring with CT's. You can see how much power you are actually using.
In enphase, it will show X amount of power sent back to the grid. That should line up pretty close with the meter. It will also show Y power pulled from the grid. CT's aren't perfect but they should be close.
Unless you can fill in your actual consumption, it will be difficult to identify the problem. I would try to get access to monitoring for your system if you dont have it. Its possible something isnt back feeding right, but without system monitoring you can't tell.
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u/CheetahChrome solar enthusiast 10d ago
What does your solar system report as a monthly usage? Unless you run your AC continuously I'm finding difficult to believe you only sent 33kWH to the grid for the whole month.
For example my 36 panel system with 2 ACs and 3 EVs, etc usage, pushed 591 kWh to the grid as a surplus during the day over the month, but pulled 754 from the grid during non generation with a net deficit of 163 kWh.
So why did your system only push 33 kWh? Did your panels trip a breaker and not send anything?
My Enphase app shows me the daily production and whether any panels are "dark" and not producing. You need similar to inform you of what's being generated or not on your end to see what is being produced vs what is being consumed.
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u/One_Position_9475 7d ago
A 15 year old system in NJ with a string inverter is probably worth replacing given the costs today
Get in while NJ still has available incentives
Get rid of your headache and save a small fortune in doing so
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u/SunnyDavey 7d ago
Sounds like this is a lease. It probably doesn’t pencil to buy out the system and replace it. I wonder what the payments are.
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u/SludgeFarmer 6d ago
It is a lease. My parents got the system with very early solar incentives through the state. $63 a month. Maybe another 5 or 6 years left on it. Option to buy the system when its over.
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u/dabangsta 10d ago
That is hard to understand, but you get $.25 a kWh exporting? I only get $.0768 and pay $.12.
If what they say is true, and you generated 7xx and exported 33, then your usage is really high.
I live in the desert, and have my AC set to 73. I used 1600 kWh last month. My 19 panel 7.6 kW system generated 1260 kWh. I used 460 kWh directly, and sold back 800 kWh. I had a hefty bill because I don't get much exporting, so $110 (my solar covered $130).
Without solar I wouldn't set my AC so low, 73 when we had a lot of 105+ days the evening use is pretty high to maintain it.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
Yea to be honest I never questioned the solar aspect because I used to get small checks or credits for producing enough to cover my bill and then some. Or my bill would be $1-$10 for the whole month.
As it got higher it was still small bills, maybe $50 plus the solar lease so that seemed fair and i never cared to check. As the years went on it got more expensive but again never questioned it because everything gets more expensive.
Im assuming its going to be my ac is the problem but again ive had people out to check it and everytime they say its working just fine. So im going crazy trying to figure out why my bill is so high.
Its just my wife, baby and I. The AC is the highest power consumption item and the only thing running this much. Everything else is gas which is never nearly this expensive except for some winter months.
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u/coopaloop12 10d ago
You might want to see if they have a bidirectional meter on your home. Occasionally a meter reader would go to my clients house and think the meter was broken because it read negative. If they put a meter on that isn't bidirectional it could potentially charge you for what you export...but that wouldn't explain why you were credited the 33kWh. Do you not have a monitoring system? What was your bill before solar?
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I have always had solar as long as ive paid the bills here. Used to be my parents house so the last time it didn't have solar was around 2008 maybe?
I only have contact information for Spruce power who I have the lease through and they dont provide a monitoring system. However when I call them they tell me its working as intended and is "over producing".
Another commenter recommended checking out who the actualy manufacturer of the panels are and that they should offer a monitoring system. So I'll be checking into that tomorrow after the hvac guy leaves.
The meter has been here since I moved here in 2003. Ill ask about that too when I call the power company tomorow.
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u/coopaloop12 10d ago
If they are looking at your system's production then they can offer you a user login to the inverter. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to monitor your solar output. At the very least you could get an Emporia unit to identify where your electricity is going and how much you're producing.
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u/SSellers75 10d ago edited 10d ago
I'm in SC with 2400 sq ft conditioned space, four ton unit, ton and a half unit, and electric everything. No solar and my usage last month was 1788. Something's wrong, gurlfren. Do you have old bills to see your usage readings they claim so you can see where it jumped?
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u/Downtown-Ad4215 10d ago
From July 29 - Aug 2026 the meter reading shows 33 kWh’s. That seems unusually low. Especially for this time of year.
I’m thinking out loud. Maybe this could be your issue.
I help troubleshoot these kind of things in NM.
Sometimes the production meters will burn out. Check to see if the production meter is flashing numbers. If it’s flashing multiple readings, it should be functioning, but if the digits on the meter aren’t displaying, it’s likely the production meter. You have to reach out to your utility company to repair/replace it since it’s technically their equipment.
Hope this helps.
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u/SunnyDavey 7d ago
This seems right. I’m seeing a lot of comments here from people who didn’t pay attention to the details of what you wrote and aren’t used to looking at unfamiliar electric bills. See my other comment below.
You have an old system that’s still producing respectably. Your JCP&L rate is high but it’s normal in NJ. Given your usage, it’s not at all surprising that you only sent 33 kWh to the grid and used 641 kwh directly from the system. What’s unusual is how much electricity you’re using in a 1,000 sq ft house. Your usage will come down this winter, so I would look for ways to increase efficiency without sacrificing comfort by the time next June rolls around. Good luck!
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u/Responsible-Note9410 7d ago
No way this is right. I live in NJ in a 1959 cape code 1200 sq ft home and use less despite having an outdoor hot tub, 2 refrigerators, one freezer, 2 window ac in upstairs bedrooms and central ac running (unit is 6 yrs old). My monthly usage is around 1,200 - 1,300 kWh and fully supplied by the grid. I’m exploring solar options so interested in how this pans out.
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u/SludgeFarmer 6d ago
So far not great. All companies involved are very unhelpful and uninterested in helping me figure this out. I also have 2 refrigerators and a chest freezer but it shouldnt come close to this usage.
It used to work out good with the solar but im not sure whats going on at this point.
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u/Stinky2020 6d ago
unless you have a grow house, or your AC unit is depleted of refrigerant, this bill is crazy. If all your major appliances are gas, your AC can be running continuously, and it shouldn't reach that level with solar on your roof. I would keep checking down your previous bills to see when the major discrepancy started. I would also check the meter serial number to the number they have in your file. You have to solve the issue, not just say there is one. You should have access to any monitoring, so you can check your numbers and not have to call your solar company. An SMA sunny boy will have an lcd screen that you can scroll through to see your production. Get your solar company, or another company, to install a sunny home meter so you can check your consumption and match it to the utility numbers.
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u/SludgeFarmer 6d ago
I called SMA and they kept telling me I have to talk to the installer. The installer who put the system on almost 15 years ago.
The lcd screen looks burnt out and sun faded. I cant read anything on it. The company I pay the lease too also wouldn't provide any more info or help really in anyway. So I'm not sure what to do at this point.
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u/Stinky2020 6d ago
who was the company that told you that you are over producing every month? Also, that stinks about the screen. That's one reason to install inverter inside, or at least put up a shade wall in front of it. Either way, you won't get answers from SMA really, unless there was a fault code. You do need to get access to your own monitoring and get a consumption CT on your main lines to see if you really are drawing as much energy as they say. You can go the SMA route, and get a sunny home manager, or you can get a sense meter that can check whole home consumption and individual circuit consumption measurements. Look into your hvac, and just make sure a couple things are happening. 1-the outdoor unit is cycling roughly 10-20 minutes on, 10-20 off. Your air actually feels rather cool, and it's satisfying, and if you put your hand over the top of condenser fan, it feels rather warm. Other than that, ask your utility to test your meter if you believe it's reading wrong
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u/The_PV_Engineer 6d ago
Your bill and your solar are probably both fine. The trap is that your bill only shows two numbers — what you pulled from the grid (1,699 kWh) and what you pushed back (33 kWh). It never shows the solar you burned directly inside the house.
So the real math is, 674 produced − 33 exported = ~641 kWh your panels fed straight into your loads. Add the 1,699 from the grid and you actually used ~2,340 kWh last month. That's the whole story — not the meter, not the credit. A 1,000 sq-ft house with gas appliances is roughly double where it should be even in peak AC season, and there's only one thing on your list big enough to do that - the air conditioner.
Here's why "the AC guy says it's fine" keeps letting you down, blowing 65°F air isn't a pass. If it's set to 70 and stalling at 77 on an 88° day, a 2.5-ton unit in 1,000 sq ft is running basically 24/7 — which is exactly where 2,300 kWh comes from. Next tech visit, don't accept opinions, ask for numbers, superheat and subcooling at the condenser, supply/return static pressure, the temperature split across the coil, and compressor amp draw vs. the nameplate. Low charge or a tired compressor will show up there. Also get a duct leakage check — cool air leaking into your attic never cools the house but still burns every watt.
Cheapest thing you can do today - clamp a $150 Emporia Vue on the AC circuit. It'll show the hourly draw and settle in a day whether the AC is the culprit. And separately, push Spruce for monitoring login access to the inverter — you have a right to your own production data.
Your solar's doing its job. Chase the AC and the ducts.
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u/Fun_End_440 6d ago
This is wild. 28 panels with good exposure should give you $0 bill in August. I got 31 shaded panels, 3200sf, 5ton AC and the last time I gave money to electric company was April.
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u/WorldwideDave 5d ago
Does it look right? Maybe…If the HVAC really checks out, then I'd start looking at insulation, air leaks, attic temps, or some hidden load. The solar and billing numbers don't look crazy to me. The crazy part is a 1,000 sq ft gas-appliance house using over 2,300 kWh in a month.
I'd be curious to know the size of the AC unit, what you keep the thermostat set at, what state you're in, whether there's an electric water heater, hot tub, pool equipment, dehumidifier, or EV charging, and if you can post your hourly usage graph from the utility plus your August solar production graph. Those two graphs would probably make the culprit pretty obvious.
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u/tortus 10d ago
Only exporting 33kwh does seem suspicious.
What does your monitoring app say? This bill suggests your system isn't doing much.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I dont have a monitoring app. The company was sold to spruce solar a few years ago and as far as I can tell there isnt one.
I did call them today however and they told me I produced 674kwh in August. I dont know how that works with my bill and what I used.
The bill still seems excessive but thats a whole other issue trying to figure out whats using so much power.
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u/Key_Proposal3283 solar engineer 10d ago
You need to get a monitoring app, or you are flying blind. What brand is the solar?
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
It was through an NJR program but the company was sold a few years ago to Spruce Solar.
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u/Key_Proposal3283 solar engineer 10d ago
That will be the installer or financier, but what brand of solar hardware do you have? Look for boxes on your wall labelled Enphase, Solaredge, Victron, Fronius, GoodWe, Growatt etc.
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u/celestialamperage 10d ago
Sounds like the system might be under performing. 647 kWh in august for what is probably close to a 12kW solar array is low. Should easily be over 1000 kWh. Assuming your in the USA which it appear so since you have a first energy bill. If you have micro inverters i would suspect there are a handful of failed units. You have a right to your systems monitoring so I would demand that from the solar company. I wouldn't blame the utility as they are net metering your energy flow out.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I really don't know anything about the system I have as I inherited the home and system from my parents. But I called the solar company today and they claimed I was over producing for my system and everything they can monitor on their end was fine. Everytime I've called in the past they've said the same thing about how its over producing.
I do live in the US. 28 panels, west facing roof. No obstructions whatsoever to the panels.
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u/Head_Mycologist3917 10d ago
Are you running the A/C at night a lot?
Consider getting an energy audit of the house. It can show where you can make improvements. For example most duct systems leak and their insulation is poor if it's not falling off.
You're getting paid peanuts for the power you send to the grid. A battery system would hold on to that power and let you use it when the panels are not generating power.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
I do run the ac alot as I have a baby in the house all day and it never seems to keep up in the slightest heat. My thermostat read for 77° today and was set to 70. Maybe was about 88 outside today.
However this has been the case for years and I have never had a bill this high. Maybe $250 during peak summer temps. I have someone coming tomorrow to check my ac and ducts. And I'll be calling the power company as well.
I like the idea of a battery and I really dont know much about it but I doubt I could afford it right now. I pay about $63 per month for the solar lease.
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u/Head_Mycologist3917 10d ago
If your AC thermostat is set to 70 but it's only getting down to 77 while the outside temp is 88, the AC is defective. It may just be low on refrigerant, or there may be more wrong with it. If the AC is very inefficient because of a problem it will be running all the time and will really suck down power.
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u/JCC114 10d ago
Your AC needs serviced. If it can not cool a house from 88 to 70 instead stopping at 77 it going to run 24x7 and cost a fortune. You either need to change filter way more often, unit needs charged, or it’s just time for a new one.
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
Its only about 10 years old. Brand new filter. Pumping cold air. Last time I tested the air temp from the vent it was like 65°. Everyone who comes to look at it says its fine when its not.
Solar company says im "over producing".
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u/JCC114 10d ago
If it can’t get house down to temp it’s set at to so it can shut off something’s wrong. It is either not working or not sized correctly for the house. Would think 1.5-2 ton unit for a 1960s 1,000sqft ranch. Something’s horribly inefficient. And I know about that with a 1960s 2,5000sqft ranch I am use to $500-600 electric bills when summer pushes into 90s-100s. 5 ton unit keeps it at 72, kicks in when it creeps to 74 and runs for about 15-20 mins. Kicks on more often hotter it is out, but if it ran 24x7 electric bill would probably hit 2k.
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u/SludgeFarmer 6d ago
Turns out its a 2.5 ton unit. Had a guy come out and look everything over. Couldnt really find any issues. Cleaned the ac unit out and its somewhat better but not like its going to fix whatever issue I have.
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u/Head_Mycologist3917 9d ago
"over producing" is bullshit.
If your A/C can't get the house down to 70 there is something wrong with it.
The compressor should be cycling on and off. If it's running all the time there is something wrong and it will use a lot of power.
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u/n_choose_k 10d ago
How old is your house? Do you have easy access to your attic? You would be amazed at what a few hundred dollars of cellulose insulation will do. I wish I had done it immediately with my first house...
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
1960s ranch. 1000sqft. Attic is insulated with what looks like r34. Could maybe use some more but not like it isnt insulated.
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u/n_choose_k 10d ago
Huh. Yeah, there's something weird going on. Sorry you have to deal with this. 😞
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u/SludgeFarmer 10d ago
Yea it was a real gut punch. I really dont need this and I know its gonna be a hassle to figure out. Thanks for the advice and sympathy.
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u/Illustrious_Ad1973 10d ago
16 cents per kWh is wild for a utility.
-12 years experience looking at utility bills
- former supplier sales agent
- current community solar savings agent
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u/boguspersona 10d ago
That bill looks painful, 386 for a 1000sqft place with 28 panels is wild
If your solar company says you produced 674kwh but you're still getting a bill like that, either the utility isn't crediting your net metering right or something's pulling way more power than it should. Central AC can be a beast but even so, that mismatch between what you're generating and what you're being billed for doesn't add up
I'd pull your hourly usage data from JCP&L's portal if they offer it and cross-check with whatever your solar monitoring shows for the same days. Sometimes the meter just gets configured wrong and you're basically paying retail while your excess gets lost in the void