A Reddit user posted a photo of their first bill after installing solar panels, showing they generated a surplus of power.
They were surprised, explaining that the panels were covered in snow for about 1.5 weeks and "it was cloudy … the entire rest of the month."
The Redditor explained the negative balance further in a comment, saying they have a net metering arrangement that allows their energy company to pull excess power from their panels when the generation surpasses their usage and to pull from the grid when their usage surpasses the panel generation.
"This was the monthly charge. Originally the bill said I received 340Kw from Eversource, but that I sent 680Kw to them," they wrote. "So instead of me owing them, they owed me."
They said they are still paying for their panels on a monthly basis and summarized how those costs broke down despite the snowy and cloudy weather: "And as far as the bill from the solar company, that was just over 100 dollars. So take that negative 56 [the $55.95 above] and add it to the 103 dollar bill from the solar company, and my total cost for using 340Kw for the month became 47. so I paid $47 for the month which without the solar would have cost me just over $200."
Installing solar panels is an excellent way to reduce your home's environmental impact by using a clean energy source for power, reducing planet-overheating pollution. Homeowners who install solar panels often see great cost savings on their energy bills and can take advantage of large tax benefits.
EnergySage is a great resource for exploring solar options. Its free tools make it possible to get quick solar installation estimates and compare quotes to maximize savings.
A heat pump is another energy-efficient home appliance; it heats and cools your home by moving heat around. They reduce the amount of dirty energy that is typically burned by traditional heating systems, lowering carbon pollution that contributes to the warming of the planet. Though initial costs of installation can be high, the cost savings over time can be huge. Tax credits and rebates can help offset the initial investment.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. |
Much like a heat pump treats the air, a heat pump water heater pulls heat from its surroundings and transfers it to the water tank and is another eco-friendly option for your home. It does this much more efficiently than traditional water heaters that account for almost 20% of home energy usage.
Although the environmental benefits and cost savings typically outweigh the initial investment within a couple of years and will compound over time, tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act that can add up to around $10,000 are not available forever, as the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill" moved their final date up to Dec. 31, 2025.
If you are interested in taking advantage of these cost savings, it is important to take action sooner than later, as projects can take about 12 weeks from commissioning to completion, and any solar project would need to be fully paid for within the 2025 tax year to redeem that money. EnergySage can help to get the process started sooner with comparison shopping of installers in your area while also helping to navigate those benefits.
The original Reddit poster highlighted their savings in a forum concentrated on solar power, and other participants were generally supportive and excited about the advantages of solar energy.
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The cost of installation 💵 "That's awesome!" one commenter said.
"That's a great testimony!" another Reddit user declared.
Another wrote: "Saving the planet and your wallet."
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