One Massachusetts homeowner knew that they could potentially see a lower utility bill once they completed their solar panel installation. But what they didn't expect was how much lower that bill would actually be. They took to r/solar to share their experience, sparking a conversation within the community. 

The scoop

"I just got my first bill from the utility having 0 usage and having 70 kWh net metering bonus for the month," noted the Redditor. 

They admitted that they almost felt guilty by keeping so much of their hard-earned money. Upon closer inspection, they discovered that they escaped a number of costly fees. 

The homeowner revealed that, in September, they had a bill of $178. It included a $41 transmission charge, $20 energy efficiency fee, $12 net metering recovery fee, and $5 distributed solar fee. For October, they didn't have to pay any of those fees. 

Solar panels can make your home more energy efficient and help bring your cost of energy down to near $0. You can check out TCD's Solar Explorer to connect with vetted installers and save up to $10,000 through its curated, competitive bids. 

How it's helping

According to a report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average electricity price for Massachusetts residents was 30.41 cents per kWh in September. That was over 12 cents more expensive than the national average.  

"I'm not asking to get a fee for these applied but I'm shocked I'm not," the Redditor wrote. "In any case I thought I'd be getting a savings of just my generation on electric and instead saved all the extra fees that can make electric usage so expensive, especially in my state." 

The Solar Explorer also has $0 down subscription options that can reduce your utility rates by up to 20%. This includes Palmetto's LightReach program, which lets users lock in low energy rates and enjoy the benefits of solar power.

If you'd rather purchase solar panels instead, another Solar Explorer partner, EnergySage, has a wide selection of tools. They can help you make the most of available incentives, find competitive bids, and even connect with local installers. 

Another way to save money while helping modernize your home is to upgrade your HVAC system. By doing so, you can potentially cut your heating costs and cooling costs in half. 

What's your biggest concern about nuclear energy? The possibility of meltdowns ☢️ The waste it creates 😷 The way reactors look 🏭 No concerns here! 😎 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

TCD's HVAC Explorer can help you find an affordable HVAC system that fits you and your budget perfectly. You can even score some $0-down subscription options as well.

By downloading the free Palmetto Home app, you can unlock up to $5,000 in home upgrade rewards by completing easy, energy-saving challenges. The app can help you track and manage your home's energy usage, which can increase your home's energy efficiency. 

What everyone's saying

Down in the comments section, a few users had a couple of suggestions for the original poster. 

"Add a home battery. Run the house overnight. Get rid of your nat gas appliances if you have any. Cut the service all together to avoid 'monthly connection fees,'" one commenter wrote.

"I'm in the same boat. Pretty sweet, just remember when you use more than you generated (like, the next two months for me) you pay all those fees," another user noted. 

Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.