I'm looking for insights from anyone who has faced a similar situation. My electric provider is hitting me with a $20 per kW charge each month for my solar installation, which completely undermines any potential payback from going solar. I'm wondering if I need to inform them if I proceed with the installation. Also, if I install batteries and use them through a panel switch, will that keep me separate from their grid and charges?
2 Answers
I faced a similar dilemma and decided to go totally off-grid. Remember, utility companies aren't exactly your allies; they can change rules whenever they want. You might want to consider running your entire house off-grid and just keeping the grid for emergencies. A transfer switch to pull power from your solar setup for specific high-draw appliances could work too.
Wow, that charge seems pretty steep! My local utility started charging $2 per kW monthly for systems over 4 kW, and it's set to double next year. They claim it's to cover distribution costs for net metering customers, but it definitely cuts into the savings from going solar. I think they should base fees on actual production instead. Maybe if they did that, we’d get a fairer deal!