How Much Can I Save with Solar on My SCE Bill?
The short answer: Most SCE customers save $100-300+ per month with solar, reducing bills from $250-400 down to $10-20. Southern California Edison serves the Inland Empire, Orange County, and much of Central California—areas with high rates (42¢/kWh), intense summer heat, and excellent solar production. Here's exactly what you can expect to save.
SCE Rates in 2026
Southern California Edison is the third most expensive utility in California:
| Utility | 2026 Rate | Average Monthly Bill |
|---|---|---|
| SDG&E | 55¢/kWh | $385 |
| PG&E | 45¢/kWh | $315 |
| SCE | 42¢/kWh | $294 |
| National Average | 16¢/kWh | $140 |
SCE customers pay nearly 3x the national average.
SCE Time-of-Use Rates (TOU-D-4-9PM):
| Period | Summer Rate | Winter Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Peak (before 4 PM, after 9 PM) | 35¢ | 36¢ |
| Peak (4 PM - 9 PM) | 54¢ | 48¢ |
| Super Off-Peak (varies) | 30¢ | 32¢ |
Peak hours—when you're home using electricity—cost 54¢/kWh in summer.
SCE Bill Savings by Current Bill Amount
Here's what typical SCE customers save with solar:
If Your Bill Is $200/month:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current annual cost | $2,400 |
| System size needed | 5-6 kW |
| System cost (after tax credit) | $12,000-14,000 |
| Monthly solar payment | $85-100 |
| New monthly electric cost | $12 (connection fee) |
| Monthly savings | $88-103 |
| Annual savings | $1,056-1,236 |
| Payback period | ~6.5 years |
| 25-year savings | $35,000+ |
If Your Bill Is $300/month:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current annual cost | $3,600 |
| System size needed | 7-8 kW |
| System cost (after tax credit) | $16,000-19,000 |
| Monthly solar payment | $110-135 |
| New monthly electric cost | $12 |
| Monthly savings | $153-178 |
| Annual savings | $1,836-2,136 |
| Payback period | ~6 years |
| 25-year savings | $55,000+ |
If Your Bill Is $400/month:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current annual cost | $4,800 |
| System size needed | 9-10 kW |
| System cost (after tax credit) | $21,000-24,000 |
| Monthly solar payment | $145-170 |
| New monthly electric cost | $12 |
| Monthly savings | $218-243 |
| Annual savings | $2,616-2,916 |
| Payback period | ~5.5 years |
| 25-year savings | $75,000+ |
If Your Bill Is $500/month:
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Current annual cost | $6,000 |
| System size needed | 11-13 kW |
| System cost (after tax credit) | $26,000-31,000 |
| Monthly solar payment | $180-215 |
| New monthly electric cost | $12 |
| Monthly savings | $273-308 |
| Annual savings | $3,276-3,696 |
| Payback period | ~5 years |
| 25-year savings | $95,000+ |
Why SCE Territory Is Excellent for Solar
1. Abundant Sunshine
SCE serves some of California's sunniest regions:
- Inland Empire: 285+ sunny days/year
- Coachella Valley: 300+ sunny days/year
- Central Valley: 270+ sunny days/year
More sun = more solar production = more savings.
2. High Summer Cooling Loads
SCE territory includes hot areas:
- Riverside: Average summer high 96°F
- San Bernardino: Average summer high 98°F
- Palm Springs: Average summer high 108°F
- Bakersfield: Average summer high 98°F
Heavy AC use drives summer bills to $400-700. Solar eliminates that peak-season pain.
3. Rate Increases Continue
SCE rates have more than doubled since 2014 and continue climbing:
| Year | SCE Rate | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 19¢ | — |
| 2018 | 23¢ | +21% |
| 2022 | 33¢ | +74% |
| 2026 | 42¢ | +121% |
| 2030 (projected) | 55¢ | +189% |
Every year you wait, you're paying higher rates.
The SCE Time-of-Use Challenge
SCE's TOU pricing creates a specific challenge:
Peak hours (4-9 PM) are when:
- You get home from work
- AC runs hardest (afternoon heat)
- Kids use devices
- Cooking appliances run
- TVs and lights are on
But solar produces most electricity midday, when you're at work and using less.
The Solution: Battery Storage
With a battery (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, Franklin):
- Daytime: Solar charges your battery
- Peak hours (4-9 PM): Battery powers your home
- Result: Avoid 54¢/kWh peak rates entirely
Without a battery, you export excess daytime solar for low NEM 3.0 credits, then buy peak-rate power in the evening. With a battery, you keep all that value.
Real SCE Savings Examples
Case Study 1: Corona Family
Before Solar:
- 2,200 sq ft home
- SCE bill: $340/month (summer peak: $480)
- Annual electricity cost: $4,080
Solar System:
- 8.5 kW system
- Cost after tax credit: $18,200
- Monthly payment: $125
After Solar:
- SCE bill: $12/month
- Monthly savings: $203
- Annual savings: $2,436
- Payback: 5.8 years
- 25-year savings: $68,000
Case Study 2: Rancho Cucamonga Retirees
Before Solar:
- 1,800 sq ft home
- SCE bill: $260/month
- Annual electricity cost: $3,120
Solar System:
- 6.5 kW system + 1 Powerwall
- Cost after tax credit: $19,500
- Monthly payment: $135
After Solar:
- SCE bill: $12/month
- Monthly savings: $113
- Plus: Blackout protection
- Payback: 6.8 years
- 25-year savings: $52,000
Case Study 3: Palm Desert Large Home
Before Solar:
- 3,500 sq ft home with pool
- SCE bill: $580/month (summer peak: $850)
- Annual electricity cost: $6,960
Solar System:
- 14 kW system + 2 Powerwalls
- Cost after tax credit: $38,000
- Monthly payment: $265
After Solar:
- SCE bill: $15/month
- Monthly savings: $300
- Payback: 5.2 years
- 25-year savings: $115,000
SCE Rate Plans: Choosing the Right One
SCE offers multiple rate plans. With solar, the best option depends on your usage patterns and whether you have a battery:
TOU-D-4-9PM (Default)
- Peak: 4-9 PM
- Best for: Most solar customers without batteries
- Why: Peak hours align with post-solar production; battery optimizes this
TOU-D-5-8PM
- Peak: 5-8 PM (shorter peak window)
- Best for: Customers who can shift usage outside those hours
- Why: Narrower peak means less exposure to high rates
TOU-D-PRIME
- Peak: 4-9 PM with different rate structure
- Best for: EV owners
- Why: Designed for electric vehicle charging optimization
Pro tip: After going solar, work with your installer to optimize your rate plan. The right plan can save an additional 5-10% annually.
NEM 3.0 Impact on SCE Savings
California's Net Energy Metering 3.0 policy (April 2023) changed how excess solar is credited:
Before NEM 3.0:
Export excess solar → Receive near-retail credits → Use credits to offset evening usage
Under NEM 3.0:
Export excess solar → Receive reduced credits (5-8¢/kWh) → Credits cover less evening usage
What This Means for SCE Customers:
| Strategy | NEM 2.0 Value | NEM 3.0 Value |
|---|---|---|
| Export 1 kWh midday | ~38¢ credit | ~6¢ credit |
| Store 1 kWh, use at peak | 38¢ | 54¢ |
| Self-consume immediately | 38¢ | 42¢ |
Battery storage is significantly more valuable under NEM 3.0. Storing excess production for peak-hour use captures 10x more value than exporting.
Adding an EV? Factor It In
Many SCE customers are adding or planning electric vehicles. This changes your solar calculation:
EV Electricity Usage:
- Average driving: 12,000 miles/year
- EV efficiency: 3-4 miles/kWh
- Annual electricity: 3,000-4,000 kWh
- Monthly cost on SCE: $105-140/month
Smart Approach:
Size your solar system for current usage PLUS EV charging. A system that produces 4,000 extra kWh/year covers your car's fuel cost with sunshine.
Result: Your EV costs nothing to fuel—solar covers it.
Key Takeaways
- SCE customers pay 42¢/kWh with peak rates hitting 54¢
- Average savings: $150-300/month depending on current bill
- Payback period: 5-7 years for most SCE households
- 25-year savings: $50,000-120,000 vs. staying with SCE
- Battery storage highly recommended for peak-rate optimization under NEM 3.0
- SCE territory has excellent sunshine, maximizing solar production
Frequently Asked Questions
What size solar system do I need to eliminate my SCE bill?
A rough rule: 1 kW of solar offsets about $50-60/month of SCE usage. A $300/month bill needs approximately 7-8 kW. We'll calculate your exact needs based on your actual usage patterns.
Will I still have an SCE bill after going solar?
Yes, but minimal. You'll pay the basic connection fee ($10-15/month) to remain grid-connected. This covers metering and backup power access.
How does SCE's TOU-D-PRIME rate work with solar?
TOU-D-PRIME is designed for EV owners with specific overnight charging incentives. It can work well with solar + battery systems that charge EVs from stored solar power.
Can I go completely off-grid in SCE territory?
Technically yes, but it's rarely recommended. Staying grid-connected provides backup power and may be required by local codes. The economics of on-grid solar + battery are typically better.
When is the best time to install solar in SCE territory?
Anytime, but installing before summer maximizes first-year savings. Summer bills are often 2x winter bills in SCE's hot service territory.
Does SCE offer any solar incentives?
SCE doesn't offer direct solar rebates, but you're eligible for federal (30% tax credit) and state (SGIP battery rebates) incentives. SCE administers NEM 3.0 crediting for excess production.
Get Your Personalized SCE Savings Estimate
Every SCE bill is different. Usage patterns, rate plans, roof orientation, and shading all affect your savings potential.
Get a free analysis based on your actual SCE usage:
- Upload your bill for AI-powered analysis
- See your exact savings potential
- Compare financing options
- No pressure, no obligation
[Get Your Free Quote] | [Upload Your SCE Bill]
Silva Bros Solar: Helping SCE customers in the Inland Empire, Orange County, and beyond cut their electric bills.
