Bridging the Gap: How the Enphase Zero Export System Can Eliminate Your Solar True-Up Bill

May 16 2024 By : Benjamin Bodde

If you’ve installed a solar system and are still receiving a significant true-up bill, you’re not alone. Many homeowners find that despite their investment in solar, they still owe money at the end of the year due to various reasons such as increased energy usage or an undersized solar system. However, there’s a groundbreaking solution to this problem: the Enphase Zero Export System.

 Understanding the True-Up Bill

The true-up bill is an annual statement that reconciles the difference between the energy your solar system generated and what you consumed from the grid. If your system was correctly sized, true-up bills typically range from $100 to $500 per year. However, for those who made substantial electrical upgrades or increased their usage significantly, these bills can soar to between $1,500 and $5,000 annually.

 The Traditional Solution and Its Limitations

Conventionally, adding more solar panels seems like the straightforward fix. Unfortunately, utility companies often restrict solar additions to 1kW (approximately two panels) for NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0 systems. This restriction can make it difficult to offset your increased energy consumption fully.

Introducing the Enphase Zero Export System

This is where the Enphase Zero Export System revolutionizes solar energy management. Approved by utility companies, this system allows you to add a new solar array with no size limitations, circumventing the typical restrictions. The critical innovation of this system is its zero-export capability: it ensures that all the energy generated by the new panels is used directly in your home, rather than being sent back to the grid.

Here’s how it works in detail:

1. Assessment of True-Up Bill: We will analyze your true-up bill to determine how much of the shortfall is due to a lack of credits.
2. System Sizing: Based on this analysis, we’ll size a new solar system that generates enough energy to cover your shortfall.
3. Installation: The new system is installed alongside your existing (legacy) system.
4. Energy Usage Optimization: Your household will consume electricity from the new system first, ensuring that all the energy your original system produces is sent to the grid, earning you valuable credits for later use.

Why This Solution Is Superior

– No Need for Expensive Batteries: The zero-export system negates the need for battery storage by efficiently using the energy produced in real-time.
– Maintain NEM Status: There’s no risk of losing your favorable NEM 1.0 or 2.0 status, which often comes with higher credit rates.
– Increased Credits: By using the new system for your immediate energy needs, your existing system can maximize credit generation, reducing or potentially eliminating your true-up bill.

Conclusion

If you want to ensure your solar investment pays off fully and avoid those dreaded true-up bills, the Enphase Zero Export System is the solution you need. It’s a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance your existing solar setup without the need for additional batteries or risking your NEM status.

For a detailed analysis of your utility bill and more information on how this system can benefit you, reach out to our service line at 858-952-0252.

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*Check out this video where Cole Davis, Regional Sales Manager at  Incentive Solar, breaks down the Enphase Zero Export System.

By adopting this innovative approach, you can take full control of your solar energy production and maximize your savings. Don’t let a true-up bill undermine your solar investment – let us help you make the most of your system today!