Understanding Adaptive Billing

Instead of relying on a single billing method, Ivy automatically selects the most appropriate of several billing models each period based on the available energy data for your account. This guide explains how Adaptive Billing works, how these models are applied, and how to understand your Ivy Solar Statement.
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What is Adaptive Billing?

Adaptive Billing is Ivy’s underlying billing logic that ensures every resident is billed as accurately as possible based on the energy data available for their unit.

Each billing period, Ivy automatically evaluates the data availability for your account and assigns you to one of three billing models:

1. SunShare: used when your utility account is successfully connected to Ivy. This model utilizes your actual energy usage data and provides the most accurate billing experience.
   
   
2. SunRate: used when you have not yet connected your utility account to Ivy. Since Ivy cannot access your energy usage data, you are billed using a per-kWh solar rate based on the energy delivered to your unit.
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3. Estimated SunShare: used when your utility account has been successfully connected to Ivy but data is delayed or temporarily unavailable. Ivy issues an estimated charge for the period, which is later corrected once data access becomes available again.

Because data availability can change from period to period based on decisions made by your utility, your billing model may also change from period to period. Ivy manages these transitions automatically, and any changes appear on your monthly Solar Statement.

SunShare

You are billed under SunShare when:

1. Your utility account is successfully connected to Ivy, and
2. Ivy receives your energy usage data for the billing period

Under SunShare, Ivy calculates what your utility bill would have been without solar. This amount is compared to your actual utility bill with solar. The difference between these two amounts is your solar offset of utility cost, which represents the total value solar provided to your home for that period.

Once your solar offset is calculated, Ivy applies your community’s fixed savings percentage to calculate your solar savings. This percentage remains the same each period, making your savings more predictable. The more live solar energy you use, the more savings you can receive. After applying your savings, the remaining portion of the solar offset becomes your solar charge, reflecting the amount you pay for the solar energy you consumed that period.

Because SunShare utilizes your actual energy usage data, every amount on your bill ties directly back to real data from your utility, providing the most accurate and transparent billing experience.

SunRate

You are billed under SunRate when:

1. Your utility account has not been successfully connected to Ivy.

Under SunRate, Ivy charges a per-kWh solar rate for the solar energy delivered to your unit during the billing period. This rate is determined by calculating the average price per kWh from your utility provider and applying a fixed percentage discount.

However, because Ivy cannot access your actual energy usage data under this model, SunRate provides an estimated measure of your solar charge.

Important: to receive the most accurate billing experience and to maximize your solar savings, we highly recommended that you connect your utility account to Ivy.

When you successfully connect your utility account, Ivy will automatically switch you to SunShare, void the SunRate charges for the 3 latest billing periods, recalculate your bill using your actual energy usage, and apply any corrections or credits to your next Ivy Solar Statement.

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Estimated SunShare

You are billed under Estimated SunShare when:

1. Your utility account is successfully connected to Ivy, but
2. Energy usage data is delayed or temporarily unavailable.

This occurs when the utility is delayed in reporting your usage or when there are temporary data issues between the utility and our data providers.

Under Estimated SunShare, Ivy issues an estimated solar charge for the billing period. This charge is calculated using the projected electricity cost that the solar system was designed to offset for your unit annually, divided by 365 to derive a daily rate. The daily rate is then multiplied by the number of days in the billing cycle. The daily rate includes a built-in discount to ensure you are not overcharged while we wait for your actual energy usage data.

Once Ivy regains access to your utility data, Ivy will automatically switch you to SunShare, void the Estimated SunShare charges for the 12 latest billing periods, recalculate your bill using your actual energy usage, and apply any corrections or credits to your next Ivy Solar Statement.