Once your system is commissioned (turned on), an automated email is sent granting you access to your monitoring platform.
If you’re having trouble logging in:
If you still need help, we’re happy to assist!
Absolutely! We’ve created a short step-by-step video to walk you through the app and show you how to track your system’s performance.
The key is simple: use electricity while your panels are producing it and practice smart conservation.
Solar savings aren’t about using more power just because you have solar. They’re about being intentional with when and how you use electricity. Running multiple high-demand appliances all at once (air conditioning, washing machine, dryer, jacuzzi, etc.) can exceed what your system is producing and cause you to pull power from the grid.
Solar production is highest during the middle of the day, so try to run high-energy appliances like washers, dryers, dishwashers, pool pumps, and water heaters during late morning to mid-afternoon — but stagger them when possible.
Helpful tips:
A little planning goes a long way. Thoughtful energy use helps your solar system work smarter — not harder.
An electric vehicle does use a noticeable amount of electricity – but it’s manageable with planning.
A full EV charge typically uses about the same energy your home uses in one to two days. However, most homeowners don’t charge from empty daily. Charging is usually spread out over several days.
EV charging is considered a large electrical load, similar to running an air conditioner or dryer for several hours.
Keep in mind:
With smart timing and monitoring, an EV can fit comfortably into your home’s energy plan without surprises.
Watch Video below to learn more.
Your battery doesn’t always start charging first thing in the morning because your solar system is designed to power your home before charging the battery. Early in the day, solar production is usually low, and that energy is often used immediately by household loads like appliances, heating, or electronics. The battery typically begins charging only after your home’s needs are met, and there is extra solar available. Weather, shading, and seasonal sun angles can also delay charging, especially in winter or on cloudy mornings. Some systems are also programmed to prioritize grid use, battery reserve levels, or time-of-use savings, which can affect when charging begins. In short, the battery waits until there’s enough surplus solar to charge efficiently rather than starting as soon as the sun comes up.
Watch Video below to learn more.
Net metering is a billing system where excess solar energy your home produces is sent to the utility grid and credited on your electric bill, helping offset electricity you use at other times. In California, older programs (NEM 1.0 and NEM 2.0) credited that extra solar at nearly the full retail electricity rate, so one kilowatt-hour (kWh) exported to the grid was roughly equal to one kWh you could draw later. This made it very easy for solar homeowners to “bank” energy and lower their bills. Under NEM 3.0 (also called the Net Billing Tariff), the value of exported solar is based on the grid’s avoided cost, which is generally much lower than the retail rate. This means the timing of when you send solar power to the grid matters: exporting during high-demand hours earns more credits than exporting during low-demand times. Because of the lower export credit rate, it’s often more cost-effective to use solar power directly in your home or store it in a battery for later use. Even with solar, homeowners still pay for grid access, delivery, and other utility charges, so solar reduces costs but doesn’t eliminate the utility bill entirely. For a clear, official explanation, you can view the California Public Utilities Commission’s Net
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/customer-generation/net-energy-metering-and-net-billing?
Watch Video below to learn more.
A very common misconception is that going solar means your utility bill goes away completely, but that’s usually not how it works. Even with solar, the utility still charges you for things like grid access, delivery fees, taxes, and any electricity you use when your solar system isn’t producing enough. Solar production changes with the seasons – you typically generate more power in spring and summer and less in fall and winter due to shorter days and lower sun angles. During lower-production months, your home may pull more electricity from the grid, which can lead to higher bills. If you have net metering, excess energy you send to the grid may earn credits, but those credits may not fully offset winter usage depending on local utility rules. Financing can also affect perception: if you’re paying a monthly solar loan or lease, that cost is separate from your utility bill and can make total monthly energy costs feel higher. Higher usage from things like heating, holiday lighting, or an EV can also increase grid consumption. Over a full year, solar is designed to reduce total energy costs, but monthly bills can still fluctuate. In short, solar lowers long-term energy expenses, but it doesn’t eliminate the utility company or seasonal changes.
If you ever have questions, we’re here for you. Reach out anytime at service@axiasolarusa.com, contact your Axia partner who helped you get started, or call us at (949) 800-8966.
We’d love to hear from you! Visit us online on Google or Yelp and let us know how your solar experience went. Your feedback helps us improve and inspires others to go solar too!
Your next step is the site survey. Please plan to be home and set aside about half a day for this visit. The scheduled time is the surveyor’s arrival window – not the completion time. Once on-site, the survey typically takes an additional 2–3 hours to complete and gather all the details needed for your custom system design.
After the survey is finished, we finalize your system layout and submit the design documents to your city for permitting and approval. As soon as permits are approved, we’ll move forward with scheduling your installation.
Watch Video below to learn more about Site Survey.
Once your new solar system is installed, our team will walk you through the next steps, answer any questions you might have, and make sure your home is clean and free of any construction debris or equipment before we leave. We want you to feel confident and comfortable with your new solar setup from day one!
When solar panels are installed on a home, they must be properly connected to the local utility grid—a process called utility interconnection. This ensures your system can safely generate power, work alongside the grid, and (if available) participate in net metering.
Interconnection is the process by which a solar energy system receives approval from the local utility to connect and operate on the electric grid. This step is required for safety and compliance reasons.
The Steps in the Interconnection Process
Although specifics can vary by utility provider and region, most processes include the following:
Permission to Install
Before installing your solar system, an application is submitted to the local utility. This usually includes electrical plans and equipment details, which the utility reviews to ensure the design meets technical and safety standards.
System Installation and Inspection
After permission is granted, the solar panels and related equipment are installed. Inspections are then carried out to confirm the system meets all code and safety requirements.
Permission to Operate (PTO)
Upon passing inspection, a final application is submitted to the utility for permission to operate. Additional documentation, such as installation photos and inspection reports, may be required. Some utilities conduct an on-site inspection at this stage, while others may review the paperwork remotely.
Meter Upgrade
The utility may upgrade your electric meter to a bi-directional model to monitor electricity flow both into and out of the home.
System Activation
Once permission to operate is given, the solar energy system can be activated and connected to the grid as intended.
Timeline and Cost
The interconnection process for a typical home solar system usually takes two to four weeks, though timing can vary. Utility processing fees, if required, are modest and are generally included in overall installation costs.
Why Interconnection Matters
This process helps ensure that new solar systems are safely integrated with the electric grid, protecting homeowners, utility workers, and the broader energy infrastructure.
Summary
Utility interconnection is a required step for any grid-tied solar installation. It covers both initial design approval and post-installation safety checks.
Ready to take control of your energy costs and embrace a cleaner, more sustainable future? Get started with Axia today and receive a custom estimate tailored to your home and energy needs. Our solar advisors are here to provide personalized guidance every step of the way throughout our solar locations. Whether you’re in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, or beyond, we’re committed to helping you transition to solar with confidence.
