How to Maximize Bill Savings from Existing Solar Projects

How to Maximize Bill Savings from Existing Solar Projects

Many community colleges across the state of California have deployed solar energy systems with the goal of reducing operational costs and improving sustainability. For most of these systems, the key economic driver of these projects is reducing electricity costs through offsetting utility bills. However, simply installing these systems doesn’t guarantee maximum financial benefits. To truly unlock your solar investment’s potential, proactive management is essential. 

What Are RECs—and Why Do They Matter?

RECs represent the environmental attributes of renewable energy production. For every megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity your solar system produces, one REC is generated. These RECs can be sold to utilities, corporations, and institutions that need to meet renewable energy goals or voluntary sustainability targets.

Properly managing and monetizing RECs can turn your district’s solar systems into dual-purpose financial assets—delivering both utility bill savings and a new stream of revenue.

Identifying Underperformance in Your Solar Systems

The first step in maximizing savings is recognizing when your solar systems aren’t performing as expected. Common signs of underperformance include: 

• • Lower-than-Expected Energy Production: Comparing current output to historical data or performance benchmarks can reveal discrepancies. 
  • Inconsistent System Output: Fluctuations or sudden drops in energy generation may indicate technical issues. 
  • High Utility Bills Despite Solar Installation: If your utility bills haven’t decreased proportionally to system size, there may be underlying problems. 
• Utilizing advanced monitoring tools and regular performance audits can detect these issues early — preventing lost savings and ensuring your system operates at peak efficiency. 

Adjusting Billing and Interconnection Issues 

Billing errors and interconnection complications can significantly erode potential savings. Common issues include: 

• Meter Data Issues: Utility meters can experience issues leading to gaps or inconsistencies in the readings and data associated with your system. 

• Billing Errors: Mistakes in utility billing can lead to overcharges or under crediting your solar generation. 

• Net Metering Discrepancies: Changes in utility policies or errors in applying the appropriate tariff may affect how credits are applied. 
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• Working closely with your utility and ensuring that billing and data are current and accurate can resolve many of these issues. Regular review of your utility bills and interconnection documentation helps catch errors early. 

The Role of Asset Managers in Resolving Utility Billing Errors 

Asset managers play a critical role in safeguarding your solar investment’s financial health. Their responsibilities include: 

• Detecting Billing Errors: Reviewing utility bills and system data to identify discrepancies. 

• Liaising with Utilities: Communicating with utility companies to address and correct billing issues promptly. 

• Advocating for Reimbursements and Credits: When errors are found, asset managers help recover missed savings through proper claims or adjustments. 

• Optimizing Interconnection and Net Metering Contracts: Ensuring all agreements are aligned with current policies and system configurations. 

By actively managing these aspects, asset managers help you recover lost revenue, prevent future issues, and ensure your solar projects deliver maximum financial benefits. 

Take Action to Maximize Your Solar Savings 

Proactively monitoring your system performance, promptly addressing billing and interconnection issues, and collaborating with dedicated asset managers can significantly enhance your solar project’s ROI. Regular reviews and strategic adjustments ensure your system continues to meet and exceed your financial expectations. 

Want to Learn More? 
Schedule a no-cost Solar Portfolio Review to assess the performance of your systems and identify areas to recover missed savings. 

Visit transformenergy.com/asset-management or contact David Burdick at david.burdick@transformenergy.com.