How to Read Your SoCal Electric Bill for Solar Savings

When homeowners in Southern California think about going solar, one of the first steps is understanding their current electricity costs. While Texas has an “Electricity Facts Label,” in California the same details are spread across your monthly utility bill. Learning how to read this information is the key to calculating your true savings potential with solar and battery storage.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what to look for in your bill — and why it matters when you’re planning a solar installation with US Power – Axia by Qcells.

1. Your Rate per Kilowatt-Hour (kWh)

The most important number on your bill is the cost per kWh. This is how much you pay for the electricity you use. In Southern California:

• SoCal Edison (SCE), SDG&E, and LADWP all charge tiered or time-of-use (TOU) rates.
• The average SoCal homeowner is paying 28–48 cents per kWh in 2025, some of the highest rates in the country.

The higher your kWh cost, the faster solar pays for itself.

2. Monthly Fixed Fees

Your bill usually includes customer service charges or base fees that stay the same every month, no matter how much energy you use. Solar won’t eliminate these fixed charges, but it can dramatically reduce the usage portion of your bill.

3. Delivery and Transmission Charges

Utilities charge for maintaining power lines and delivering electricity. These fees are non-negotiable, even with solar. However, with solar + storage, you pull less power from the grid, lowering the total charges tied to delivery.

4. Your Usage Breakdown

Most SoCal utilities now provide a month-by-month kWh usage chart. Look for:

• Seasonal spikes (summer AC, winter heaters).
• Peak-hour consumption (evenings when rates are highest under TOU plans).

This is the data solar experts use to size your system correctly — so it offsets your highest-cost usage first.

5. Your Rate Plan: Tiered vs. TOU

California utilities are shifting most customers to Time-of-Use (TOU) rates. That means electricity costs more during peak hours (usually late afternoon to evening). With TOU:

• Solar produces during the day when rates are lower.
• A Qcells battery system stores excess energy to use in the evening, avoiding those expensive peak rates.

6. Renewable Energy Content

Some bills include a note about how much of your power comes from renewable sources purchased by the utility. While this is good progress, installing your own solar system ensures your household’s energy is clean, local, and under your control.

Why This Matters Before Going Solar

Understanding your bill helps you and your solar installer design the right system. At US Power – Axia by Qcells, we use your actual kWh usage, rate plan, and peak demand times to:

• Size your solar system properly (not too big, not too small).
• Recommend battery storage where it saves the most money.
• Maximize your 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit (available through 2025).

Quick Checklist for Homeowners

Before your solar consultation, gather:

• 1–3 months of recent electricity bills.
• Your rate plan details (tiered or TOU).
• Any notes on delivery fees or fixed charges.

This will speed up your solar design and give you a clear picture of savings.

The Bottom Line

Your electric bill is more than just a payment — it’s a roadmap to energy independence. By understanding your rates, fees, and usage patterns, you’ll see exactly how solar and battery storage can cut your costs and protect you from rising utility rates.

Ready to decode your bill and see your custom solar savings? Contact US Power – Axia by Qcells today and lock in the 30% Federal Solar Tax Credit before it phases out after 2025.