New study reveals how rooftop solar and electric vehicles impact electricity bills for non-users

A contentious debate in environmental circles has centered on whether homeowners with rooftop solar panels unfairly shift electricity costs to their neighbors who don’t have solar. Now, new research by Dan Gearino provides fresh estimates on this cost-shifting phenomenon, examining both solar panels and electric vehicles.

The concern stems from how electricity billing works: solar panel owners often pay less for grid infrastructure and maintenance costs because they generate their own power and sometimes sell excess back to utilities. Critics argue this means non-solar households end up shouldering a larger share of the utility system’s fixed costs, even though they still rely on the same power lines, transformers, and grid services.

Most researchers acknowledge some degree of cost-shifting occurs, but they’ve disagreed significantly on the magnitude of the impact. Some studies suggest the effect is minimal, while others warn of substantial financial burdens being transferred to non-adopting households. The addition of electric vehicles to the equation adds another layer of complexity, as EV owners typically increase their electricity consumption while potentially benefiting from special rate structures.

This latest analysis aims to cut through the conflicting claims by providing updated calculations on whether and how much solar adoption and EV ownership contribute to increased costs for other consumers. The findings could influence policy decisions about solar incentives, net metering programs, and utility rate structures as clean energy adoption continues to accelerate across the country.