THE SHORT ANSWER
A defensible solar review begins with monthly electricity use in kilowatt-hours, not twelve dollar totals. Build one dated record and flag anything that makes a month unusual.
Capture energy, dates and utility
Download or photograph twelve consecutive bills and record the kWh used, service address, utility, rate schedule when shown, and beginning and ending meter dates. DOE identifies household electricity use as a core factor in evaluating rooftop solar. [1] Dollar totals alone mix consumption with rates, taxes and fixed charges.
Keep the billing periods intact
Do not rename a bill simply “July” when it covers parts of June and July. Preserve the start date, end date and number of days so a reviewer can recognize a 28-day period beside a 35-day period. Mark estimated reads, corrected bills and account changes instead of silently smoothing them.
Explain unusual months
Add short notes for vacancy, guests, construction, a failed air conditioner, pool repairs or storm displacement. These are not instructions to delete the month. They help the designer decide whether history reflects the home’s likely future use and which assumptions need homeowner approval.
Reconcile the annual total
Add all monthly kWh and compare the sum with any annual-usage value in the utility portal. If the figures differ, locate a missing, overlapping or revised statement. Give the proposal team the original bills plus your worksheet so the input remains traceable rather than becoming an unexplained sales estimate.
Ask where the number appears
The proposal should identify the annual consumption used for design and the period it represents. If that number differs from your file, request a written bridge. This does not guarantee production or savings; it establishes that the first sizing conversation uses evidence from the correct account.
Before your next conversation
- Collect twelve consecutive statements.
- Record kWh and exact meter dates.
- Flag estimated or unusual periods.
- Match the annual total to the proposal input.
Primary sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar
Primary source reviewed September 10, 2026. Utility rules, equipment availability, project design and contract terms remain specific to the property and proposal.
Planning examples and questions are Origin’s editorial guidance, not a property-specific diagnosis, engineering design, tax determination or promise of savings. Manufacturer and utility references do not imply an affiliation with Origin.
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