"Can I See Your Electric Bill?"
Just grab your latest electric bill so I can see if you qualify. I'll snap a quick photo of it.
What's actually true
A fair quote does need your usage history. But a photo of your bill also gives the rep your utility account number, which can be used to file paperwork in your name, and a single high bill is often used to exaggerate your savings.
To give you a real quote, an installer needs to know how much electricity you use over a full year. That part is legitimate. But “Can I see your bill?” at the front door is often about something else: anchoring the pitch on a scary number, and getting your utility account number. You can give a company the information it needs without handing over control of your account.
Why salespeople ask
- Anchoring. Your highest bill becomes the starting point. If July was $310, the rep may talk as if you pay $310 every month. That makes any solar payment look like a big saving.
- Account access. Your account number, name and address are enough for some utility forms. Solar companies file interconnection applications with your utility, and some consumers have reported applications filed without their clear consent.
- Lead value. A photo of a bill with your usage and account details is valuable data. It may be shared with other companies.
A worked example
Your bills over the last 12 months:
| Season | Typical monthly bill |
|---|---|
| Summer (4 months) | $310 |
| Spring and fall (4 months) | $170 |
| Winter (4 months) | $120 |
| Actual yearly total | $2,400 ($200/month average) |
A rep who uses July’s $310 × 12 starts from $3,720 a year. That’s 55% more than you actually pay. If the solar payment is $190 a month, the pitch says you’ll save $120 a month. Using your real average, you’d save about $10 a month before counting the bill you’ll still owe. See the $0 bill promise.
What a quote actually needs
- 12 months of kWh usage (not just dollars)
- Your utility name and rate plan name
- Your roof details and address
Most utilities let you download usage history from your online account. Some let you export it as a spreadsheet. If you share a bill, black out the account number first.
How it shows up later
- A proposal based on “average bill” that matches your peak month
- A utility notice or call about a solar application you didn’t sign
- A wave of calls from other solar companies
Questions to ask
- “What will you use my bill for?”
- “Do you need my account number, or just my usage history?”
- “Will you file anything with my utility before I sign a contract?”
- “Will you share my information with any other company?”
What to do next
Gather your own usage and run it in the solar calculator and system size calculator before any rep visits. That way you know your real numbers and can test claims with the sales claim checker. Our how to compare solar quotes guide lists everything to ask each installer for. If high usage is the problem, efficiency before solar may be the cheaper first step.
Bottom line: Share your usage, not your account. A good installer can quote from kWh history alone.
Where to report it
If someone filed paperwork with your utility without your consent, tell your utility right away. Then report it to your state attorney general and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If a loan or credit check was involved, file with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
Related red flags
Salespeople Posing as Your Utility
Utilities don't send people door to door to sell solar or review your bill. A rep who implies a utility connection is using borrowed trust to start a sales pitch, and may be collecting your account information.
Rushed Tablet Signing at the Kitchen Table
Those screens can include a 25-year lease or loan, a lien filing, credit authorization and a waiver of your right to cancel. If you don't see the full document before you sign, you don't know what you agreed to.
"Your Electric Bill Will Be $0"
Most homes with solar still get a utility bill every month. Fixed customer charges, minimum bills, low export credits under net billing, and winter months with less sun mean a $0 bill is rare.
Solar Systems Sized Bigger Than You Need
Panels beyond what your home uses often earn far less than retail, especially under net billing, where exports may be credited at a few cents per kWh. Extra capacity raises the price faster than it raises savings.
Robocalls Offering Free Energy Audits and Rebate Checks
Unsolicited calls offering free audits, rebate checks or solar programs are usually telemarketing lead generation, and sometimes impersonate your utility. Your details may be sold to multiple installers, or used to submit applications you didn't authorize.