Lower, more predictable costs
Qualifying homes may get lower, more predictable electric rates, with stored energy to lean on during the most expensive hours.
Peak hours · Net billing
California rate plans.
When you use power matters, not just how much. Here's how peak hours, net billing, and battery backup fit together, and what they may mean for a qualifying home.
The peak clock
On many California rate plans, 4 to 9 PM are the most expensive hours of the day.
Switch it on to see which hours a battery can cover.
A day on a 4 to 9 PM rate plan
Amber marks the most expensive hours.
Without a battery
From 4 to 9 PM, your home keeps buying power from the grid during the most expensive hours.
With a battery
For qualifying homes, stored energy may carry the house through those hours, and stored energy sent back to the grid at high demand may earn bill credits.
Shown for a typical 4 to 9 PM time of use plan, like those offered by SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E. Your bill shows which plan applies to your home.
Net billing
Net billing, in three parts.
Net billing is how California credits homes for the energy they send back to the grid. Paired with a battery, here's what it may mean for a qualifying home.
Backup in outages and PSPS events
When the grid goes down or power is shut off during a Public Safety Power Shutoff, battery backup may keep your home powered.
Credits for energy you send back
Under California net billing, stored energy sent back to the grid during high demand may earn credits on your bill.
How it works: Qualified homes can receive solar and battery backup systems to help reduce grid strain, without financing or paying cash for the equipment, installation, maintenance, or any other system related costs. Homeowners simply pay for the power the system produces instead of drawing it from the grid.
Not every home qualifies. It depends on your roof, energy usage, and structural readiness.
Solar and whole home battery backup without the financial burden3:22 · My Home & Solar Solution on YouTube
Not sure which rate plan you're on?
Your utility bill shows your real kWh usage and which rate plans apply. Send a recent one, and an advisor will walk you through it on a virtual consultation.
SCE, PG&E, SDG&E, and LADWP homes
Virtual consultations
The bigger picture
Why California is moving to battery backed energy.
Three facts explain where California's homes and its grid are heading.
Then
A grid built for one direction
California's grid was built to move power one way, from power plants out to homes.
Now
Homes that can give back
Battery backed homes ease strain on the grid, stay powered in outages, and can support the grid at peak.
2045
Carbon neutral California
California must reach carbon neutrality by 2045, so clean power that can be stored and shared at peak matters more every year.
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Read the storyQuestions
Rate plan questions, answered.
What are the most expensive hours on California rate plans?
On many California utilities' time of use plans, including SCE, PG&E, and SDG&E, the most expensive hours are 4 to 9 PM. For qualifying homes, a battery may cover those hours with stored energy instead of power bought from the grid.
What is net billing in California?
Net billing is how California credits homes for energy sent back to the grid. For qualifying homes with a battery, stored energy sent back to the grid during high demand may earn bill credits.
Will a battery keep my power on during a PSPS shutoff?
For qualifying homes, battery backup may keep your home powered during PSPS shutoffs and other outages. A generator depends on fuel, is loud, and needs ventilation; a battery does not.
How do I know which rate plan I'm on?
Your utility bill shows it. Send a recent bill, and an advisor will review your real kWh usage and which rate plans apply to your home, then explain your options on a virtual consultation.
Find out what your home qualifies for.
Two minutes, one utility bill, and an advisor who explains everything clearly.