Path-Q Solar

Should I reduce my electricity use before getting a solar system designed?

Answer

Reduce electricity use first when you already plan meaningful efficiency improvements or equipment changes; otherwise, obtain a preliminary solar design using current data and have it adjusted for any credible future changes rather than waiting without a defined plan.

Key points

  • Prioritize known, funded, and measurable changes over speculative future savings.
  • Provide installers with planned heating, cooling, water-heating, appliance, vehicle, or building changes.
  • Ask for designs based on current use and realistic post-improvement use so the effect on system size is visible.
  • Preserve flexibility if future electrification may increase consumption after efficiency improvements.

What it depends on

  • Certainty, timing, and size of planned efficiency changes
  • Future electrification or business and household load growth
  • Roof and project timing
  • How system size affects cost, production, and expected value

Risks and trade-offs

  • Sizing only to current use can oversize the system after major efficiency improvements.
  • Sizing too aggressively to uncertain future loads can increase cost without guaranteed benefit.
  • Delaying design until all changes are complete may postpone a project and lose useful information about feasibility.

Information you may need

  • Current bills and usage patterns
  • Planned efficiency and electrification projects with dates and estimates
  • Roof, electrical, and equipment constraints
  • Comparative designs for current and expected future loads

Your next step

What to do next

Create a realistic load forecast, then ask for a preliminary design and a post-improvement design before deciding whether to complete efficiency work first.

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