One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners thinking about going solar is: “Will I still get a bill from the utility company after I install solar?”
The answer is no—not if your solar system is sized properly.
That’s especially true under California’s NEM 3.0 policy, which has changed the way solar customers are billed. With the right combination of solar panels and battery storage, most homeowners eliminate their electric bill entirely—or get a very small monthly statement that shows a zero balance or even a credit.
In this post, we’ll walk you through:
- Why system sizing is the most important factor
- How batteries eliminate your reliance on the grid
- What a “True-Up Bill” actually is under NEM 3.0
- What to watch out for when choosing a contractor
By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to make sure you don’t keep getting a bill after going solar.
First Things First: Proper Sizing Is Everything
When it comes to solar, size really does matter—and we’re not just talking about the number of panels.
If your solar system is too small for your energy usage, you’re going to end up buying power from the grid. That means you’ll still get a bill.
But if your system is sized properly—and paired with a correctly sized battery—you’ll eliminate almost all, if not all, of your usage from the utility.
Here’s what we recommend at Supreme Solar and Electric:
- Size your battery to at least 2 to 3 times the size of your solar system.
So for example, if you have an 8-kilowatt solar system, you should aim for a battery with 20 to 24 kilowatt-hours of storage.
Why? Because solar powers your home during the day—but it doesn’t produce anything at night. That’s where the battery steps in. It stores your extra solar power during the day so you can use it when the sun goes down.
How Solar and Battery Work Together to Eliminate Your Bill
Let’s break this down with a typical day:
- Daytime: Your solar panels are generating energy. First, that power runs your home. Any extra energy charges your battery.
- Evening/Night: Once the sun goes down, your battery takes over and powers your home through the night.
- Morning: The sun rises, and the cycle starts again.
With the right setup, you barely touch the grid at all. That means your utility bill—also called your true-up bill—should be close to zero or negative.
But if your battery runs out before the next morning (because it’s too small), then your home starts pulling power from the grid. And that’s when your bill starts creeping up again.
What is a True-Up Bill?
A True-Up Bill is a summary statement from your utility company that shows how much energy you used from the grid, how much you sent back, and whether you owe anything—or have a credit.
Under NEM 1 and NEM 2:
- The True-Up Bill was calculated once a year.
- You’d see one statement annually with your net energy use and charges.
Under NEM 3.0:
- You now receive a True-Up Bill every single month.
- It tracks your energy use and solar production on a 30-day cycle.
- It calculates your net energy position—whether you’re up, down, or neutral.
Even if your bill is zero, you’ll still get a statement from the utility every month because you’re still connected to their grid. This statement just shows your energy balance, not necessarily a payment due.
Common Reasons You Might Still Get a Bill
Even under NEM 3.0, some homeowners still end up with a small bill. Here’s why:
1. Undersized Solar System
If your solar system isn’t designed to cover 100% (or slightly more) of your energy usage, you’ll still need to buy power from the grid.
This often happens when:
- The system is sized for past usage, but you add new appliances later (EV, pool, etc.)
- The installer didn’t account for seasonal spikes like AC in the summer
- The home’s orientation or shading limits how much solar you can install
2. Undersized Battery Storage
This is a big one under NEM 3.0.
If your battery is too small, it can’t get you through the night. That means:
- It runs out of stored energy around 10 or 11 p.m.
- Your home automatically switches to the grid until solar kicks in again the next morning
- That daily grid usage adds up over 30 days and shows up on your True-Up
We often see other companies pair a single 10 kWh battery with a large solar system—and while that might help slightly, it’s not enough to keep your home fully powered overnight.
3. High Overnight Usage
Even with a large battery, if you’re running a lot of power at night—like an EV charger or electric heat—your battery needs to be able to keep up.
That’s why we do load calculations and talk through your energy habits during our design process.
How We Design to Avoid a Utility Bill
At Supreme Solar and Electric, we go beyond just “adding panels to a roof.” We design custom solar and battery systems that take into account:
- Your 12-month usage history
- Appliance types (gas vs. electric)
- Home square footage
- EV chargers, pool pumps, and other large loads
- Future energy needs or upgrades
- NEM 3.0 export rates and peak hours
And we always recommend sizing your battery to at least 2–3 times the solar system size, especially if your goal is bill elimination.
Why Some Companies Undersize Batteries (And Why You Shouldn’t)
Unfortunately, we see this all the time: a company quotes you a great price, installs a decent solar system, and then cuts corners on the battery.
They might only include a small 10 kWh battery—even on a 9 or 10 kW system.
Here’s what happens:
- The battery drains before midnight
- You start pulling power from the grid while you sleep
- You do this every night, for 30 days
- Your monthly True-Up shows you owe money—even though you “went solar”
That’s why we push so hard for proper sizing. Our goal isn’t to sell you panels—it’s to eliminate your bill and give you real energy independence.
Are There Any Charges You Can’t Avoid?
Even with a perfectly designed system, you may still see small fixed charges from your utility. These are usually:
- Minimum connection fees (e.g. PG&E’s $10/month grid access charge)
- Non-bypassable charges, which are state-mandated fees for grid maintenance or public programs
These are usually less than $15–$20/month and apply even if you send more energy to the grid than you use.
Still, they’re tiny compared to a $300 or $400 monthly utility bill—and in many cases, the system credits will offset these as well.
Summary: Will You Still Get a Bill After Solar?
Here’s the bottom line:
- If your system is properly sized and includes the right battery, your utility bill should be zero or negative.
- Under NEM 3.0, it’s more important than ever to store your power and minimize grid exports.
- A small monthly statement is still common—but that doesn’t mean you owe money. It’s just a report of your energy balance.
- And if your battery is too small? You’ll end up pulling from the grid—and you’ll definitely see a bill.
Final Thoughts: Solar + Battery = True Energy Independence
Going solar in 2025 means more than just adding panels. With NEM 3.0 in place, battery storage is essential if your goal is to eliminate your electric bill and maximize your savings.
At Supreme Solar and Electric, we specialize in solar + storage solutions designed to match your real-world usage—not just what fits on your roof.
Whether you’re in Fresno, Palm Desert, or anywhere in California, we’ll help you go solar the right way—without surprises, inflated bills, or short-term fixes.
Ready to Eliminate Your Utility Bill?
Let’s talk. Schedule a free consultation with Supreme Solar and Electric and get a custom solar and battery proposal designed to wipe out your utility bill—for good.
