How to Read and Understand Your Solar Energy Bill for Maximum Savings?

If you’ve recently set up a solar system at home or for your shop, there’s a good chance you’ve looked at your first solar power bill and must have thought, ‘This looks different. What am I even being charged for?’
You’re not alone. Many people get confused the first time they receive a solar energy bill and that confusion often leads to missed savings. 

Read on to understand everything in simple terms so you can read your bill with confidence.

Common Terms on Your Solar Bill

You’ll notice your bill doesn’t look quite like it used to before you went solar. Let’s look at some of the terms that show up and what they actually mean:

• Net Metering: This is the part of your bill that shows how much power you used versus how much your panels gave back to the grid. Think of it as a running balance – you take some units from the grid, give some back and your bill reflects the net result.
  
• Import Units: These are units you still need from the grid, usually when your solar panels aren’t generating power, like during the night or on overcast days.
  
• Export Units: These are extra units your solar panels produce, which your house didn’t need right away. So they were sent back to the grid.
  
• Tariff Category: This is how your electricity board classifies your connection – residential, commercial, etc. Different categories are billed at different rates.
  
• Fixed Charges: You’ll see a flat amount every month, no matter how much electricity you use. This is for staying connected to the grid, even if you barely use it.
  
• TOD Charges (Time of Day): Some states charge differently depending on the time you use electricity. Evening peak hours may cost more, while daytime (when your panels work best) might be cheaper.

You don’t need to get technical – just being familiar with these terms helps you understand where your money is going.

How to Calculate Solar Energy Bill?

Now, let’s talk about how your solar power bill is calculated. It’s not as complicated as it looks.

Step 1: Note the Units You Used and Produced

• Your consumption is measured in kWh (or units).
• Say you used 350 units in total this month.
• Your solar panels produced 280 units.
• So you pulled the remaining 70 units from the grid.

Step 2: Check if You Exported Any Extra Units

Maybe your panels produced more than you needed during the day. That extra went back to the grid. In some cases, these exported units are credited in future bills.

Step 3: Look at the Fixed Components

Apart from the unit charges, your bill may include:

• Grid access fee
• Metering charges
• Taxes

Even if you exported more than you consumed, these fixed parts will still show up.

Step 4: Apply State-Specific Rules

Some states allow you to carry forward your export credits, some offer buyback at a lower rate and others simply offset your next bill. It varies, so it’s good to check with your local power board.

How to Check Solar Bill?

Checking your solar energy bill regularly is just as important as installing the panels in the first place. Here’s how you can stay on top of it:

1. Look for Net Usage

Your bill will show both import and export figures. The difference tells you whether you owe money or have credit left over.

2. Use the Electricity Board’s Website or App

Most Indian power boards now offer online access. You can log in, download your bill and track unit-wise usage and solar exports.

3. Use Your Solar System’s Monitoring App

If your installer gave you an app or dashboard, you can view:

• Daily generation
• Panel performance
• Power exported to the grid

This gives you deeper insights than a bill alone.

4. Keep Paper Records for a Few Months

Comparing your solar bills with old regular bills helps you see how much you’re actually saving. Over a year, the savings add up, especially in summer when solar production is high.

Conclusion

Installing solar panels is just the start, review your solar power bill monthly to track performance and plan upgrades.
Worried about costs? Fibe offers zero-down payment plans, flexible or zero-cost EMIs and a 100% digital loan process to make going solar easy and affordable.

FAQs

How much is a solar system per month?

It depends on whether you bought it upfront or took a loan. If you’re paying EMIs, your monthly cost is that EMI plus whatever little you still pay to the grid. If you paid in full, you only pay for grid usage and maintenance, if any.

How many kW is required for a home?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. A small 2–3 BHK home with basic appliances might need a 2 to 3 kW system. If you have ACs, washing machines, or work-from-home equipment, your needs might go up to 5 kW or more. It’s best to look at your past bills and get a local installer to guide you.