What is a true-up statement?

A true-up statement is the bill that the utility sends you at the end of your solar billing cycle. The solar billing cycle is usually 12 months, so you'll typically receive your first true-up statement at the end of your first 12 months as a solar customer. The true-up statement reconciles all the cumulative energy charges, credits and any compensation you may be entitled to for the entire solar billing cycle. If you have a balance due after all charges and credits are reconciled, that amount will appear on your true-up statement. If you have extra credits, depending on your interconnection agreement, your utility will reset your remaining credits to zero (typical) or roll your credits over to the next solar billing cycle.

You can prepare for your true-up statement (no surprises!) by paying attention to your electricity bill each month throughout your solar billing cycle. Most utilities provide a monthly snapshot of anticipated true-up charges (or credits) based on what you have produced and what you have consumed to date. Keep in mind that if you are on a time-of-use (TOU) rate schedule, charges and credits will vary with the time of day energy is used. You can learn more about different rate schedules here. Many solar customers transition to a TOU schedule from a single-rate or flat-rate schedule when they go solar, so may be surprised how charges vary with the time of day. This is why it is important to monitor your electricity bill to ensure you are taking advantage of solar generation and minimizing usage when rates are higher...and so that you aren't surprised when your true-up statement is received.