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Bills, rates & usage

Leftover-bill diagnostic

Updated August 5, 2026 · reflecting 2026 NEM 2.0/3.0 net-billing rules · by Cali Energy

Why do I still have an electric bill after solar? A small bill is normal. Solar offsets energy — not the fixed service charge your utility keeps (about $24/mo on SCE; it varies by utility), the non-bypassable grid fees on every imported kWh, or gas. And any usage beyond what the system was sized for — a new EV, added AC, or evening use billed at low NEM 3.0 export credit — still shows up. This tool ranks the likely causes for your situation.

✓ Based on how California solar billing actually works under NEM 2.0/3.0 — fixed charges, non-bypassable fees and the annual true-up. Sources are listed below.

Why do I still have an electric bill after solar?

This is my first bill after installation, or the system isn’t approved to run yet My production looks lower than expected in the monitoring app I added an EV, new AC, pool pump or more people since going solar My system was sized to cover only part of my usage I’m on SCE and use most power in the evening It’s my yearly settlement (true-up) month I’m on SCE and see per-kWh charges even in sunny months My bill has a base, service or minimum charge I’m on LADWP and the bill includes water or sanitation

General guidance for SCE and LADWP residential customers in 2026; your exact charges depend on your rate plan and system. Not a bill audit.

What this diagnostic checks

Tick what applies to your situation and the tool ranks the most likely causes. It weighs the nine reasons a solar home still sees a bill:

The system is undersized. It may be built to offset only part of your usage — by design, or to fit the roof or budget.
A new big load. An EV, new AC, pool pump or added occupants push usage past what the system was sized for.
Evening usage vs midday export. Under NEM 3.0, midday export is credited low; using power at night while exporting cheap at noon leaves a gap a battery would close.
Underproduction. Shade, soiling, a tripped breaker or an inverter fault can quietly cut output — check your monitoring app.
The true-up cycle. Legacy NEM 1.0/2.0 may bill energy annually; NEM 3.0 bills monthly with credits carried to the annual true-up.
Non-bypassable charges. A few cents per imported kWh are billed even when solar offsets the energy.
The fixed service charge. SCE’s Base Services Charge (and minimum-bill structures) isn’t reduced by production itself.
Water and sanitation on an LADWP bill. LADWP bills them alongside electricity, and solar doesn’t touch them.
The system isn’t running yet. A first bill after installation, or one before the utility approves the system to operate, still bills your full usage.

How this works

You check the boxes that match your situation, and the tool returns the three most likely causes, ranked by how commonly they drive a leftover bill (a system that isn’t running yet or is underproducing first, then new loads and undersizing; fixed charges and LADWP water and sanitation last). It’s an explainer to point you at the right line on your statement — not an account audit.

When a leftover bill is normal — and when to worry

A modest, steady bill (fixed charges plus a few non-bypassable cents) is expected and fine. Worry when the bill is large or climbing: that usually means the system is undersized for how you actually use power, a new load appeared, or production has dropped. The first two are about sizing and timing; the last is a maintenance or monitoring issue worth checking quickly.

Common questions

Can solar ever get my bill to $0?

Rarely exactly $0. Even a system that covers all your energy still leaves the fixed Base Services Charge and non-bypassable charges, so a small bill remains — a battery and right-sizing get you closest.

Is this the same as my bill going up after solar?

No. A steady leftover bill is normal; a bill that rose usually points to a new load, a tariff change or underproduction. See our “bill went up after solar” guide for that case.

Does the leftover bill come monthly or once a year?

It depends on your tariff. NEM 3.0 (net billing) charges monthly with a yearly true-up; some legacy NEM 1.0/2.0 accounts settle energy annually at true-up.

Would a battery remove it?

A battery can erase most energy cost by covering your evening usage instead of buying at peak, but it can’t remove the fixed service charge or non-bypassable charges. Size one with our battery tool.

Sources

Estimates only, not a quote. Assumptions, rates, incentives and program rules can change — confirm current details with your utility, the program administrator or a licensed professional.

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