I Installed Solar – Now What? Why Solar Needs Your Attention After Installation

For most people, once their solar system is installed, they assume it will “just work”—generating electricity, lowering their bills, and saving them money. After all, the installer sets everything up, connects it to the grid, and the sun does the rest, right?

But is that really the case?

While solar panels do their job as long as the sun is shining, their impact on your electricity bill, energy independence, and financial returns isn’t always automatic. In reality, solar doesn’t always work optimally without your attention—and ignoring it could mean leaving money on the table.

1. Your Solar System Might Not Be Producing at Full Potential.

Many solar owners assume their system generates as much power as possible based on sunlight. But in reality, their solar output can be reduced without them even knowing.

Example: Grid Curtailment Can Limit Your Solar Savings

Take a suburban neighborhood in Australia, where many homes have solar panels exporting excess energy to the grid during peak solar hours. As more solar energy flows into the grid, local voltage levels rise, which can cause grid instability. To maintain reliability, utilities or inverters automatically reduce power generation (curtailment) or shift energy use within the home.

What does this mean for you? Your system may not always be producing at its full potential, even when the sun is shining. If you’re unaware of these limitations, you could be losing savings without realizing it.

2. Higher Bills—Even After Going Solar?

 Many homeowners install solar expecting significantly lower electricity bills, but some are surprised when their bills don’t drop as much as expected—or even increase. If you’re using self-consumption or net metering, you might assume that every kilowatt-hour (kWh) your panels produce offsets the power you use from the grid. But solar billing isn’t always that simple.

Example: Time-of-Use (TOU) Rates Can Work Against You

Let’s take the case of Mark, a homeowner in California, who installed solar expecting to eliminate most of his electricity bill. His system produces plenty of power during the day, and he signed up for net metering, which means he gets credit for the excess energy he sends back to the grid. However, Mark’s solar system generates the most power during the middle of the day when electricity rates are low. His utility charges the highest rates in the evening when solar production has dropped. So while he's exporting cheap electricity, he’s buying back expensive power when he consumes the most in the evening.

3. You Could Be Earning Money—But You’re Not

Many solar owners think of their system only in terms of bill savings, but did you know your solar panels could actually earn you money? Beyond reducing your electricity costs, solar owners can participate in programs that pay for excess energy, grid services, and demand response. Yet, many homeowners miss out simply because they’re unaware of these opportunities.

Example: Earning Passive Income with a Virtual Power Plant (VPP)

Meet Lisa, a homeowner in Texas, who installed solar and a battery storage system to gain more control over her energy costs. She knew she’d save money, but what she didn’t realize was that her system could also generate income.

One day, Lisa learned about her utility’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program—a system where homes with solar and batteries work together to support the grid during high-demand periods.

By enrolling, Lisa:

• Uses her solar panels to charge her battery when she generates more energy than she can use.

• Sends stored energy back to the grid when demand (and electricity prices) are high, helping stabilize the power system.

• Gets paid for participating in the program, turning her solar investment into a revenue-generating asset rather than just a cost-saving tool.

What’s Next?

Do you want to know what other ways your solar could interact with the grid to bring you more benefits? Stay tuned—we’ll dive into the ways your solar system can do more for you in the next post!