I Have Solar — Why Am I Still Getting an Electricity Bill?

Still getting an electricity bill with solar? You’re not the only one. You’ve got panels on the roof, the sun’s doing its job — but then your power bill shows up, and it’s still hundreds of dollars. It’s frustrating, confusing, and honestly, it makes you wonder what went wrong.

This is one of the most common pain points among Australian homeowners with solar systems. The assumption is: install solar, and your power bill should vanish — or at least shrink to nothing. So when it doesn’t, it feels like something must be broken.

And sometimes, something is broken. But in most cases, it comes down to how and when you’re using your power — and what solar actually covers (and doesn’t).

At Lenergy, we see this every day. Our job isn’t just to install solar — it’s to help you make it work for your home, your habits, and your bill. And part of that is giving you the real reasons your solar might not be wiping out your energy costs — and what you can do about it.

In this article, you’ll learn:

Let’s unpack what your electricity bill is actually telling you — and how your solar system fits into it.

Why You’re Still Getting a Bill After Going Solar

It’s completely normal — and actually expected — to keep receiving an electricity bill even after installing solar. In most cases, solar doesn’t wipe your bill entirely. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not working. It just means you might not be using it the way you thought.

Here’s why:

Your Home Still Draws Power From the Grid

Unless you have a battery, your solar system only powers your home while the sun is out. At night — or during cloudy stretches — you rely on the grid to supply your power. That’s when you’re charged your normal usage rate (usually $0.25–$0.40 per kWh depending on your plan).

Even if your panels produce more than you use during the day, that energy doesn’t carry over into the night — it’s either used instantly or exported to the grid.

Supply Charges Still Apply

There’s a daily “service to property” fee just for being connected to the grid. In the bill example we’ll walk through shortly, this charge was $1.30 per day, adding up to $118.30 over 91 days — even if no power was drawn. This is standard across Australia and non-negotiable unless you go entirely off-grid (which isn’t practical for most homes).

Feed-in Tariffs Aren’t Equal to What You Pay

When your solar system exports power to the grid, you earn a feed-in tariff (FiT). Here’s the catch though — it’s typically less than half of what you pay to use grid power.

If you’re paying $0.30 per kWh to import energy and only earning $0.07 per kWh to export it, then every unit of power you don’t use during the day is worth a lot less than one you do use.

That’s why self-consumption matters more than export.

Bill Was Zero — But Now I’m Paying. Why?

If you’ve had solar for a while, you might remember the days when your electricity bill was $0 — or even in credit. That’s not your imagination.

When feed-in tariffs were at their peak (up to 60 cents per kilowatt-hour – this was the golden error), exporting solar power was incredibly valuable. Homes didn’t need a battery because daytime generation alone was enough to cancel out the cost of night-time grid usage — and even cover the supply charge.

However things have changed. Most households today only get 3 to 7 cents per kilowatt-hour for exported power. Some retailers now offer no credits at all. At those rates, it’s far harder for solar alone to cancel out your full electricity bill.

Add in increased household energy use, and it’s no surprise that bills have crept back up — even with solar on your roof.

Bills Can Still Be High — Even With a Functional System

If you’re using more energy now than before (which is common after installing solar), or if your energy use is mostly after sunset, then your solar savings won’t show up on your bill the way you expected.

In the next section, we’ll break down what solar actually covers, how to read your bill properly, and why the timing of your energy use can make or break your savings.

What Solar Covers — and What It Doesn’t

Solar panels generate electricity when the sun is out. That electricity flows into your home and is used instantly. Any power you don’t use at the time it’s generated is sent back to the grid — unless you have a battery to store it.

That’s the part many solar owners aren’t told upfront: your system is only powering your home during daylight hours. Everything outside those hours still comes from the grid — and that’s reflected in your bill.

Let’s break it down in simple terms:

What Your Solar System Does Cover

• Your daytime energy usage (as long as your system is producing enough)
  
• Any surplus solar is exported to the grid — earning you a credit via the feed-in tariff
  

What Your Solar System Doesn’t Cover

• Power used before sunrise or after sunset (unless you have a battery)
  
• Daily supply charge to stay connected to the grid
  
• Controlled load circuits (e.g. off-peak hot water systems), unless they’re rewired to draw from solar
  
• Any extra usage that exceeds what your panels generate
  

Let’s Look at a Real Example

Take this electricity bill from a home that already has solar installed. Over 91 days, here’s what we see:

• Average daily usage: 13.75 kWh
  
• Average daily solar export: 11.7 kWh
  
• Feed-in tariff earned: $-0.07 per kWh = $-74.55 credit
  
• Electricity drawn from grid (anytime): 753 kWh at $0.288 = $216.86
  
• Service to property charge: $1.30/day = $118.30
  
• Total bill: $403.69
  

So what’s happening here?

This household is generating more solar than they’re using during the day — hence the large export figure. But the fact that their usage (13.75 kWh/day) is slightly higher than their export (11.7 kWh/day) means a large portion of their usage is occurring at night — when solar isn’t available, and grid power is the only option.

In short: their solar is working, however their usage patterns don’t align with the sun. And without a battery to store the excess energy, it’s being sold back to the grid at a low rate, and repurchased later at a much higher rate. To calculate the battery size we would take the lesser of the two values, in this case 11.7kWh which is the storage amount that would be required.

Three Common Reasons Solar Bills Stay High

If your solar system has been sized correctly, installed and generating electricity — but your bills are still higher than expected — the issue usually comes down to one (or more) of the following three factors.

1. You’re Using Most of Your Power at Night

This is the big one. If you’re out during the day and only start using appliances heavily in the evening — think cooking, heating/cooling, TVs, laundry — you’re relying on the grid when your solar isn’t generating. Read More about Peak Electricity Times in our recent blog here.

In this case, your solar is working. It’s just not being used when it’s available. Instead, it’s being exported to the grid at a low feed-in tariff (around 5–10 cents per kWh), while you’re buying back power in the evening at 30–40 cents per kWh.

This is why “self-consumption” is so important — using your solar energy while it’s being produced.

Simple fix: Try running your dishwasher, washing machine, and pool pump during the day if possible. Even small shifts in usage can make a big difference.

2. You’re Using More Electricity Than You Used To

Some households increase their energy use after getting solar — thinking the system will cover everything. It’s an easy assumption to make, but it can lead to bill shock.

Here’s the reality: if your solar system was designed to cover your old usage patterns — and you suddenly double your air con use or add a second fridge, or worse.. A spa (they suck the juice!) — you might end up consuming more than your panels can generate.

3. Your System Isn’t Performing As It Should

It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes your solar system might not be working properly. It could be an underperforming inverter, shading issues, a blown fuse, or even a tripped switch you didn’t notice.

A healthy system should come with performance monitoring — either through the inverter manufacturer’s app or a third-party platform. If you’re not sure how to check, reach out to your installer. They should be happy to review it and run a basic health check.

Tip: If you’re exporting very little solar or your feed-in credits have dropped suddenly, it’s worth checking.

Can You Reduce Your Bill Without Buying Anything New?

Yes — and in many cases, these small adjustments are the most cost-effective way to improve your solar savings. Before investing in more panels or a battery, it’s worth asking: are you getting the most out of the system you already have?

Here are a few simple, no-cost ways to do just that:

Shift Your Energy Use to Daylight Hours

This is the single biggest thing you can do to improve your solar ROI. The more energy you use while the sun’s out, the more you offset grid electricity.

Think about appliances you can run during the day:

• Dishwasher on a delay cycle
  
• Washing machine or dryer when the sun’s at its peak
  
• Pool pump set to run from 10am–4pm
  
• Charge your devices during the day instead of overnight

Even heating or cooling your home during daylight hours — before the evening peak — can help reduce your reliance on the grid. Find more easy, practical ways to reduce your electricity bill in our recent blog here.

Check and Compare Your Energy Plan

Not all electricity plans treat solar the same. Feed-in tariffs, time-of-use pricing, and supply charges can vary significantly. Some retailers now offer “solar-friendly” plans — others penalise you with low FiTs or inflexible conditions.

Ask yourself:

• Are you getting the best rate for your solar exports?
  
• Could a time-of-use plan benefit you if you shift usage?
  
• Are there any “free electricity” windows you can take advantage of?

To see how your current deal compares, check out our guide to the best energy providers in NSW for 2025. It includes side-by-side comparisons of feed-in tariffs, rates, and solar-friendly features.

Providers like Amber, OVO, Pacific Blue and (recently) AGL offer limited-time plans with cheaper or even free off-peak power — which becomes important if you’re considering grid charging a battery (more on that shortly).

Monitor Your System’s Performance

Many people don’t realise they can check how their solar is performing in real time. Whether it’s through a smart meter, inverter app, or electricity retailer portal — you should be able to see:

• How much energy your system is producing
  
• How much you’re using in the home
  
• How much you’re exporting
  

If you don’t have access to this data, it’s worth asking your installer for help — or using it as a reason to upgrade your monitoring tech.

 Option 2: Charge the Battery From the Grid (Yes, Really)

This sounds counterintuitive — but with the right plan, it can work.

Some retailers (like Amber, Pacific Blue, OVO, and AGL) now offer time windows of free or ultra-cheap electricity, typically during off-peak or “shoulder” periods. If you pair that with a smart battery setup and a 10 kW inverter, you can force-charge your battery from the grid during those hours.

For example:

• 3 hours of “free power”
  
• 10 kW inverter x 3 hours = 30 kWh
  

That’s enough to fully charge a 30 kWh battery — without needing to add more panels.

But how can electricity be free?

Because during certain times of the day — particularly when there’s excess renewable generation (like sunny, windy afternoons) — the wholesale cost of electricity actually drops below zero. That means energy companies are literally paying the grid to take their power.

Retailers offering “free power” plans aren’t losing money — in fact, they’re profiting from giving it to you at no cost.

So when your battery charges during those hours, you’re helping soak up excess energy on the grid — and your retailer is getting paid to make it happen.

Sounds ideal, right? It is — but there’s a catch. These plans aren’t guaranteed to stick around forever. Retailers can change their offers, remove benefits, or shift pricing structures.

If that happens, you may wish you had more solar panels to keep your battery topped up — or you may find a new retailer offering similar benefits.

Do I Need More Solar Panels — or Is It Time for a Battery?

To figure out what’s best — more panels or a battery — let’s revisit the two scenarios already explored in this article.

Scenario 1: You’re Already Exporting Solar

In our real bill example, the homeowner used 13.75 kWh per day and exported 11.7 kWh. That tells us they’re using most of their power at night.

So what happens if they add more solar?

They’ll just export more — earning 3–7 cents per kWh — instead of reducing the 30–40 cent grid power they use overnight. It’s not worth it.

Adding a battery makes more sense here. That 11.7 kWh of excess solar could be stored and used at night, cutting out most of their general usage costs.

Scenario 2: You Use More Than You Export

Now let’s say someone uses 30 kWh per day, but only exports 10 kWh.

If they add a battery, they can only fill it with the 10 kWh they’re exporting. So a big battery won’t charge fully — and the return on investment will be limited.

Adding more solar here? Same story. Without storage, they’re still exporting low and buying high. No blackout protection, no real night-time offset.

So What’s the Right Move?

• If you’re already exporting a lot, get a battery. You’re better off storing what you’ve got than selling it for a few cents.
  
• If you’re using more than you generate, and want real bill impact or blackout cover, you may need both more solar and a battery.
  

So what should you do? That’s up to you. The safest bet is often more panels — but if space or budget is tight, a large battery that can charge from the grid during low-cost or free periods could be your best move.

When to Investigate a System Issue

Sometimes, everything you’ve read so far checks out — your usage patterns make sense, your solar generation seems reasonable, and your bill still doesn’t add up. That’s when it’s time to dig a little deeper.

While most systems run smoothly, it’s not uncommon for performance to slip without any obvious signs. A faulty inverter, blown fuse, shading changes, or even something as simple as a tripped circuit breaker can quietly undermine your solar savings.

Here’s how to know when it’s time to act — and what to do about it.

Signs Your System Might Not Be Performing Properly

• Your solar export credit has dropped significantly from previous bills
  
• Your system is generating far less than it used to (especially in sunny months)
  
• You’ve noticed your inverter screen is off, flashing an error, or showing no output
  
• You’re exporting very little despite sunny weather
  

What to Check First

1. Look at your solar app or monitoring portal. Most modern inverters (like Fronius, Sungrow, Enphase, etc.) offer apps or web dashboards that show your real-time and historical solar production.
   
2. Compare to previous bills. If your export or usage data looks way off from last quarter or last summer, that’s a red flag.
   
3. Check your switchboard. Sometimes, a solar breaker can trip — especially after a storm or grid outage. If you’re comfortable and know what to look for, a quick check here can sometimes resolve the issue.
   
4. Check the inverter itself. A healthy inverter usually has a green light or clear display. If it’s flashing red or shows an error code, take a photo of the screen and contact your installer.
   

When to Contact Your Installer

If you’ve tried the above and something still doesn’t look right — call your original installer (or another trusted solar professional if they’re unavailable). They can:

• Run a system check
  
• Analyse your solar production data
  
• Test your inverter and panel performance
  
• Help you assess if upgrades (like more panels or a battery) are worth considering
  

And yes — if your system is under warranty, this visit should be free or low-cost. A reputable solar provider will be more than happy to help.

Final Thoughts — Solar Isn’t Broken, But It Might Need Adjusting

If you’ve read this far, you now know that getting a power bill after installing solar isn’t a sign something’s failed — it’s a sign that something needs adjusting.

That might be your habits, your system design, or even your expectations.

Solar is still one of the smartest long-term investments a household can make — but like any investment, the return depends on how well it’s set up and how you use it.

Here’s what to take away:

• It’s normal to still receive a bill — especially if you’re using more energy than your solar produces, or using it outside of daylight hours.
  
• Not all usage is equal. Shifting energy use to the middle of the day gives you more bang for your solar buck.
  
• Batteries can help — if you’ve got the solar generation to charge them. If you don’t, adding more panels (or smart charging from the grid) could be the missing piece.
  
• You don’t need to rush out and spend more. But understanding your usage patterns and your system’s performance is a good first step.
  
• You can only fix what you can see. So check your bill, check your system, and get advice when something doesn’t add up.
  

And if you ever find yourself looking at a power bill thinking, “Why is this still so high?” — now you’ve got a framework to figure it out.

If you’ve got solar and want help investigating your electricity bill or exploring your options — whether it’s shifting usage, checking system health, or weighing up a battery — feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you make the most of your setup.