The good news? You don’t have to choose between a solar system upgrade and keeping your existing NEM agreement. With a non-export solar system, you can expand your system without penalty while maintaining your current NEM status.

Here’s everything you need to know about non-export systems, how they can help reduce your true up bill, and why they’re a game-changer for Northern California homeowners.

What Is a True Up Bill?

If you’re noticing an increase in your true up bill and wondering why, here’s a quick explanation.

Every year, utility companies assess how much energy your solar system produced versus how much energy your home actually consumed. When your energy usage exceeds your solar production, you’re charged for the extra electricity pulled from the grid. This annual reconciliation is what’s known as a true up bill.

For many solar system owners, this bill comes as a shock—especially if major lifestyle changes (like purchasing an EV or adding new appliances) mean you’re using significantly more electricity than you did when your original solar system was installed.

But before you resign yourself to paying those hefty bills, there’s a straightforward solution waiting for you.

The Solution? A Solar System Upgrade That Keeps Your NEM Agreement

If you’ve been hesitant about upgrading your solar setup because you’re worried about losing your NEM agreement, you’re not alone. Many homeowners believe that system changes will trigger a utility company to shift them into a less favorable solar billing tariff.

The reality? You can upgrade your solar system without losing your NEM benefits by installing a non-export solar system.

What Is a Non-Export Solar System?

A non-export solar system is designed to meet your additional energy needs without sending extra power back to the grid. Unlike traditional solar systems, which export excess energy, this type of system only produces electricity based on your real-time household demand.

Here’s an example to break it down.

Real-Life Scenario: Meet Your Energy Demands with a Non-Export System

Imagine your existing solar system was built to produce 10,000 kWh per year. At the time, this was sufficient to cover your household’s electricity usage, so you rarely had a true up bill.

Fast forward a few years. You’ve purchased an EV, which now consumes an additional 5,000 kWh per year. Suddenly, your system isn’t producing enough to keep up with your increased energy demand, and you’re hit with a $2,500 true up bill.

This is where a non-export system comes to the rescue.

Instead of replacing your entire solar setup, you can install a non-export system to produce just the additional 5,000 kWh you need. These systems are sophisticated, shutting off and on based on real-time household demand to ensure you’re not producing (or exporting) more energy than you consume.

Because the system isn’t designed to send energy back to the grid, your utility company has no grounds to alter your NEM agreement.

Solar system with batteries powering electric vehicles.

Add a Battery for Round-the-Clock Energy

Non-export systems are often paired with solar battery retrofits, giving you even more flexibility and energy independence.

Here’s how a battery can enhance your system:

• Capture Extra Energy for Later: During the day, any excess energy generated by the non-export system can be stored in the battery, ready to power your home at night or during cloudy weather – yes, the non-export system factors in the amount of energy the battery needs and produces enough electricity to fill the battery.
• Backup Power During Outages: Northern California homeowners know the challenges of power outages all too well. A solar battery backup ensures you have a reliable energy source ready to keep your lights on, your appliances running, and your life uninterrupted.
• Reduced Grid Dependency: With a battery, you’ll draw even less power from the grid, helping further minimize your utility costs.

Why Non-Export Solar Is a Smart Choice

Non-export solar systems aren’t just about increasing energy production—they’re about maximizing savings while maintaining your original solar benefits. Here are some key advantages of upgrading to a non-export system:

1. Maintain Your NEM Agreement:

No need to worry about being moved to a less favorable tariff. Your original NEM status remains intact.

2. Reduce or Eliminate True Up Bills:

Supplement your original solar system to match your current energy needs and say goodbye to unexpected charges.

3. Greater Energy Independence:

Pair your system with a battery to harness solar power even when the sun’s down and during outages.

4. Environmentally Friendly:

By relying more on solar, you’re further reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a greener planet.

5. Cost-Effective Solution:

Unlike completely overhauling your existing system, a non-export upgrade targets only your additional energy needs, keeping costs down.

Non-export solar system installed by Sunriver Solar.

Is a Non-Export System Right for You?

If you’ve experienced a steady increase in your true up bill and want to find a solution without sacrificing the benefits of your NEM agreement, then a non-export system could be the perfect fit.

Upgrading your current setup means future-proofing your home’s energy efficiency, optimizing your solar investment, and ensuring your system keeps pace with your energy demands.

Make Your Solar System Work Smarter (Not Harder)

At Sunriver Solar, we specialize in helping Northern California homeowners make the most of their solar systems. Whether you want to eliminate those soaring true up bills, integrate a solar battery retrofit, or simply learn more about your options, our team is here to help.

Click the link below or give us a call to schedule a consultation. Together, we’ll design a custom solution to meet your needs!

Contact Us | Get a Free Quote

Check out our work: https://www.instagram.com/sunriversolar/

Family Owned and Operated

EST. 2008

Auburn, CA

530-820-3712

The post Upgrade Your Solar System to Reduce Your True Up Bill — and Keep Your NEM Agreement first appeared on Solar Services in Northern CA.

As a California homeowner considering solar energy, you might be wondering about the roles of solar (panels) and batteries in your upcoming solar system purchase. With recent changes in the state’s energy landscape, batteries have become an essential component of a residential solar setup. Proper battery sizing is crucial for ensuring your system’s financial viability and performance. In this post, we’ll guide you through the process of accurately sizing a home solar battery.

The Importance of Batteries in California Solar Systems

In California, the economics of solar systems heavily rely on batteries. Without a properly sized battery, your solar investment might not make financial sense. Batteries allow you to store excess energy produced during the day (by the solar panels) for use during peak hours or when the sun isn’t shining. This increases the value of the energy produced by your solar system and lowers your utility bill cost substantially.

Steps to Properly Size Your Home Solar Battery

1. Obtain Accurate Electricity Consumption Data

The first step in sizing your solar system battery is to provide your solar installer with precise information about your electricity consumption. In PG&E territory, this data is called “Green Button Data” and can be easily downloaded from your online PG&E bill pay portal. Accurate consumption data is essential for your solar company to generate a design that meets your needs (number of solar panels to install). This avoids wasting time and potentially your money on an incorrectly sized system.

2. Discuss Future Electricity Demand

Have a detailed conversation with your solar company about any expected increases in your electricity demand. Are you planning to purchase an electric vehicle? Will you be installing a pool or hot tub? Have you considered a heat pump to get away from expensive natural gas or propane? These factors significantly impact your energy needs, and your solar company must be aware of them to design a system that meets your existing needs and future requirements. Failing to account for increased demand can result in a system that underperforms, leading to a poor customer experience and a negative online outlook that is oh, so common.

Example of solar estimation tool consumption curve.

3. Input Consumption Data into Estimation Software

Your solar company will input your consumption data (Green Button preferably) and future needs into a sophisticated estimation software tool. This software generates a highly detailed and accurate consumption profile, which serves as the baseline for designing your solar and battery system.

Example of solar estimation tool results graph.

4. Analyze the Results

Let’s consider an example: Mr. and Mrs. Jones consume 12,000 kWh per year and plan on adding an EV that is driven 10,000 miles per year. Due to shading concerns, increased demand, and panel orientation, the software determines they need 13 kW DC of solar panels (PV). But what about the battery? This is where the data you provided in steps 1 and 2 comes into play.

5. Apply Industry-Accepted Battery Sizing Practices

There are two main approaches to battery sizing:

1. Manufacturer Recommendations: Some battery manufacturers, like Tesla (Powerwall 3) and Enphase (IQ5P), recommend sizing the battery at 2x the system size DC. In our example, this would mean 13 kW DC x 2 = 26 kWh of battery storage. Tesla Powerwall 3 batteries come in increments of 13.5kWh and Enphase IQ5P batteries come in increments of 5kWh. So, you would need two Powerwall 3 batteries or five Enphase IQ 5P batteries to cover your needs. Both are excellent options.
2. Seasoned Designer Approach: Experienced solar designers often recommend sizing the battery at 2/3rds of your daily consumption. From our example above and factoring in the consumption of the EV, total electricity demand is 15,000 kWh per year or 41kWh per day. 2/3 of 41kWh is 27kWh needed in battery storage capacity. Like above, two Tesla Powerwall 3’s or five Enphase IQ5P batteries would be needed. This analytical approach ensures that the solar panels cover the home’s usage during the day, while the batteries cover the consumption during the evening and early morning. This approach also tests the Green Button data more heavily and better captures the lifestyle under the roof that the batteries are working to support.

In sum, both approaches generate a similar result. However, it is always best to test Green Button Data. More on how to get your PG&E Green Button Data to your solar company in a later blog post.

Example of 3 Tesla Powerwall’s installed. Total storage capacity 40.5kWh powering entire home.

The Importance of Collaboration

Ultimately, both the customer and the solar company play crucial roles in determining the proper number of solar panels and battery size. As a potential customer, sharing accurate consumption data and future energy needs is essential for a well-designed and properly functioning solar and battery system. Solar contractors, in turn, must ask the right questions and use industry best practices to size the battery accurately. If one of both of these are not occurring, problems will likely arise down the road.

If you’re interested in learning more about solar with batteries and how they can help you save money, consider reaching out to a reputable solar company like Sunriver Solar. With a commitment to truth, transparency, and kilowatt-hours, they can help you navigate the process of going solar with confidence and at a fair price.

Schedule a battery consultation here: https://www.sunriversolar.com/contact/

Check out some of our work here:https://www.instagram.com/sunriversolar/

THINK LOCAL AND SAVE

The post How to Size a Home Solar Battery: A Guide for CA Homeowners first appeared on Solar Services in Northern CA.