Karen Johnson Moore and her husband Columbus Moore are working hard to lower their DTE Energy bill , which topped $500 in February for gas and electric combined. Years ago, they paid to have solar panels installed — but the couple said they never worked. They try to use as little electricity as possible, unplugging appliances and turning off lights when they’re not needed, but they’re still struggling to pay their bills. A high utility bill “just throws your whole budget out of whack,” Johnson