Path-Q Solar

How can I prepare my electricity records for a solar savings estimate?

Answer

Gather about 12 to 24 months of complete electricity bills or interval usage data, including kWh consumption, billing periods, rate structure, demand charges if applicable, and any major changes in occupancy or equipment. This gives an installer a better basis for estimating system size, production, and bill impact.

Key points

  • Use actual kWh usage rather than only the total bill amount.
  • Include seasonal usage and unusual periods such as vacations, outages, or major renovations.
  • Note planned changes such as an electric vehicle, heat pump, battery, or additions to the building.
  • For a business, include operating hours, demand charges, and any interval data available.

What it depends on

  • Completeness and accuracy of the billing history
  • The utility rate structure and whether export compensation is included
  • Future changes in electricity consumption
  • The proposed system size, orientation, shading, and financing assumptions

Risks and trade-offs

  • An estimate based only on average monthly bills can miss seasonal peaks or demand charges.
  • Overestimating future usage can lead to an oversized system, while underestimating it can leave expected savings unrealized.
  • Savings projections may not match actual bills if rates, usage patterns, or export rules change.

Information you may need

  • Recent bills or an official usage download
  • Current rate plan and any demand or time-of-use details
  • Planned electrification or building changes
  • Whether battery storage or backup power is being considered

Your next step

What to do next

Create a month-by-month usage summary and give it, together with the current rate information and planned load changes, to each installer requesting a savings estimate.

Path-Q

Find the right next step

Answer a few questions and we’ll narrow your options.

Loading…

SQ01826