GridReadyWestern New York
Tool

Solar financing & your bill

Offset on a proposal is not the same as dollars on your utility bill. Use the calculator below as a rough estimate, then verify with your utility and actual tariff.

  • Model how fixed charges interact with quoted energy offset.
  • Optional: multiply solar loan payment × term to eyeball total paid vs cash price.
  • Educational only, not a prediction of your exact bill.

Deep dive: Why your bill might not drop like the quote. Local context: Buffalo, Tonawanda.

Bill reality (rough estimate)
See how fixed charges and quoted “offset” interact. Numbers are examples, not predictions.
From your proposal summary, often 90 to 110%.
An average month before solar, from your utility bill.
Optional: total paid on a solar loan

Monthly payment × years (simple math, not a full amortization schedule). Compare the total to the cash price on your contract.

FAQ

Why is my bill not $0 when the proposal says 100% offset?

Fixed charges, minimum bills, demand charges, and how credits apply to leftover usage all sit outside a simple offset percentage.

Are dealer fees normal on financed solar?

Common, but they should be disclosed. Compare cash price to total financed payments, not just monthly payment.