Written by Heather Juzenas, Vice President of Marketing & Member Services
A solar panel sales representative recently knocked on the door of my Pataskala home. He was making his way around our neighborhood to “help people save money on their electric bill." My husband answered the door, but I stepped outside after hearing a bold claim that solar panels eliminate your electric bill. I told him solar panels would not eliminate our electric bill and asked him not to make this claim to our neighbors, who are also members of The Energy Cooperative.
Our member services team typically hears from members after they install solar panels, wondering why they still have an electric bill. Solar panels can shave money off your monthly bill, but they do not eliminate it (especially in the winter months).
We encourage members to give us a call BEFORE they make an investment in solar panels.
Our electrical engineers can help you appropriately size your system by looking at your home’s energy use. They can also give you an idea of the cost savings you will see once the panels are up and running. We provide this service free of charge.
Will I still have an electric bill?
Yes. We currently have more than 350 members operating solar generation at their home or business. During the month of February, our net-metering members averaged an electric bill of $250.00/month. This average payment was calculated after the solar generation credit was applied. According to the National Weather Service, this past February was the third warmest we have seen in the Columbus, Ohio area since 2000. The average temperature for our area was 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Even though it was warmer than average, Ohio just does not see the amount of sunlight during the winter months to cover electric use for an entire month.
Should I get a battery-backed system?
Your solar panel system produces energy on sunny days. It will not collect sunlight at night and on cloudy days. That means you will continue to need electricity from your cooperative during these times.
Battery-backed or grid-independent systems use on-site energy storage to store excess energy that is generated during the day. The batteries store energy for use at night or when the sun is not producing enough power. Choosing this option adds significant cost and maintenance to your system, but the technology is improving, and the costs are beginning to decrease.
Can the contractor provide up-to-date documentation?
It may seem obvious, but be sure to request proof and documentation of the contractor’s licensing, permitting and other credentials. Comb through company reviews and check the contractor’s status with the Better Business Bureau. Do your homework on the front end before signing a contract.
Who will maintain the solar panels?
Determining who is responsible for maintaining the solar panels will depend on who owns the system. If you lease the system from a solar installer, it may be their responsibility. Periodically, solar panels need to be cleaned as dirt and debris can impact panel productivity. Parts may also need to be replaced, so it is important to know who will take on these responsibilities. We have members who purchased solar panels from a company that is now out of business. They are responsible for all repairs and maintenance of their aging solar panels.
What if The Energy Cooperative manages and maintains the solar panels?
We operate a large solar array at our office in Utica, Ohio. This program, called OurSolar, has been around since 2016. We lease panels to electric members who want solar energy without the cost. One panel produces around 410 kilowatt hours per year. The fixed rate for the OurSolar program is $0.099875 per kWh for the term of the member’s agreement. This offsets part of the variable Generation and Transmission component of the member’s bill based on the amount of electric produced from the member’s solar panels. Interested? Give us a call at 740-344-2102 or send us a message at www.myenergycoop.com/contact-us.