Do solar panels eliminate your electric bill?Not exactly — and if you don't know how solar billing works, you might be in for a surprise.I'm Mitch Workman from Big Dog Solar. After helping install over 12,000 systems across the Mountain West, I've seen just about every kind of solar setup—and today, I'm breaking down what you can really expect when it comes to your electric bill after going solar.

✅ Why you might still have a small electric bill

✅ How connection fees and cloudy days affect solar production

✅ What net metering is — and why it matters for your savingsThinking about going solar?

➡️ Take our free, 60-second Solar Score quiz to see if solar makes sense for your home: https://score.bigdogsolar.com/

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‍Chapters

‍0:00 Will my bill be zero?

‍0:14 Why a bill still shows up (fixed connection fee)

‍0:34 Winter/cloudy days = lower production

‍0:52 How net metering/net billing actually works

‍1:16 Setting expectations (plan for a small bill)

‍1:33 Get the most value from your system (what to do next)“Will my bill be zero with solar?” Short answer: you’ll still get a bill, but it’s usually far lower. Most utilities keep a fixed monthly customer/connection charge, and your seasonal production varies—net metering/net billing then reconciles usage vs. exports. This video sets the right expectations so there are no surprises.

• You’ll still receive a bill with grid-tied solar; fixed charges usually remain. EnergySage
• Utilities apply a customer/connection fee to stay connected. Typical practice is a flat fee, separate from usage. PowerOptions
• Net metering / net billing: you’re credited for exports and charged for imports; details vary by utility (example: Idaho Power uses time-differentiated net billing). SEIA
• Seasonality is normal: winter/clouds = lower output; tools like NREL PVWatts model this for your address. PVWatts Calculator
• In some places, lower export rates make offsetting fixed fees unrealistic—so plan for a small remaining bill.

Transcript

Mitch: Do you still pay an electricity bill with solar panels? Some people think solar wipes the bill out—but is that true? I’m Mitch with Big Dog Solar. We’ve installed over 13,000 systems across the Mountain West. Here’s what really happens to your bill after going solar.

Overview: We’ll cover how billing typically works, why some people still have a bill, and how to get the most value—so your expectations are right.

1) Connection fee: Most utilities have a fixed monthly customer/connection charge—often a few to a couple dozen dollars—just to stay connected to the grid. You’ll still see that with solar.

2) Winter or cloudy days: Not every day is sunny. In winter or during cloudy stretches, production dips, so you’ll draw more from the grid. That’s normal.

3) Net metering / net billing: Policies vary. Generally, you get credits for energy you export and pay for what you import. Over the year, that helps balance sunny vs. cloudy periods.

Recap: You’ll likely still get a bill at some point—usually much smaller than before. Want to see if solar makes sense for your home? Take our quick Solar Score, and reach out anytime with questions.

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