Path-Q Solar

What should I do first if I am interested in solar but do not know my annual electricity use?

Answer

Start by collecting your recent electricity bills or an annual utility-usage history and total the kilowatt-hours used over a representative twelve-month period. If that history is unavailable, ask the utility for it before requesting a final system design.

Key points

  • Use energy consumption in kilowatt-hours, not only the dollar amount paid.
  • Capture seasonal variation because one or two bills cannot represent annual demand.
  • Note major changes such as occupancy, heating, cooling, appliances, electric vehicles, or planned electrification.
  • A preliminary estimate can use available bills, but a final design should reflect expected future use.

What it depends on

  • Availability and completeness of utility records
  • Seasonal usage patterns
  • Recent or planned changes in household electricity use
  • Whether billing periods or meter data are estimated

Risks and trade-offs

  • Using only annual spending can obscure usage changes caused by rate changes.
  • Atypical occupancy or weather can make one year unrepresentative.
  • Sizing from incomplete data can lead to an undersized or oversized system.

Information you may need

  • Twelve months of kilowatt-hour usage if available
  • Current utility rate and billing structure
  • Planned changes in appliances, heating, vehicles, or occupancy
  • Basic roof or site information for later evaluation

Your next step

What to do next

Download or request your utility's usage history, total the annual kilowatt-hours, and record any expected future load changes before requesting quotes.

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