SoCal Homeowners Face 10% Utility Hike— Go Solar Today!

Utility bills in Southern California are jumping again. If you’re watching your monthly costs creep up, it’s not just your imagination — this is real. At US Power, we’re on the frontline helping homeowners switch to high-efficiency solar panels (with exclusive factory-direct pricing on Qcells) and battery systems like Qcells, Tesla, Enphase, FranklinWH to fight back — and it’s more urgent than ever.

Here’s why this matters right now, especially if you’re a homeowner in Sherman Oaks or anywhere else in Southern California:

• Southern California Edison (SCE) has had a 10 %+ rate increase effective October 1, 2025, meaning average bills rose by roughly $15-$20 monthly for typical homes.
• Time-of-use (TOU) rates now spike to $0.59-$0.74 per kWh during peak hours for certain plans.
• New systems under the current regulatory regime face more restrictive export credits; pairing solar with battery storage is becoming essential.
• The clock is ticking on big federal tax incentives — installing sooner locks in maximum savings.

In short: Your monthly bill is going up — unless you act. Installing a solar + battery system now can protect you from future utility hikes, increase your home’s value, and help you enjoy energy independence.

What’s Happening to Your Utility Bill in 2025?

Southern California homeowners are seeing the effects of major changes in utility rate structure, especially under SCE.

Rate increases:

• SCE announced an average residential rate hike of about 10.3% in 2025, equating to an extra ~$17 per month or ~$200/year for typical use.
• One rate update cites a 10% hike approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) effective Oct 1, with average household bills going from ~$171 to ~$193 for 500 kWh usage.

Time-of-Use (TOU) spikes:

• Under SCE’s TOU‐D-4-9 PM and TOU‐D-5-8 PM plans (as of May 2025), summer on-peak rates go up to $0.59/kWh and $0.74/kWh respectively.
• These elevated rates make self-generation and storage even more valuable.

Why the hikes?

• Infrastructure upgrades, wildfire mitigation and grid hardening are major drivers.
• With export compensation (for solar) under the newer net billing regime decreasing, homeowners are better off using their own power rather than selling it back cheaply.

The result? Staying on the grid without solar means you’ll likely pay more each year—and you’ll have no control over that trajectory.

Why Solar + Battery Remains a Smart Move for Southern California Homeowners

Lock in your electricity price

Once your solar system is installed, you’re generating electricity at (essentially) your cost. Each kilowatt-hour you generate is one you do not buy from SCE at rising prices.

Maximize value with storage

Because export credits are shrinking under California’s new billing structure, the smarter strategy is to consume your own solar power and store it for later rather than export it for minimal credit. Pairing a battery with solar avoids expensive peak TOU rates and creates backup power during outages.

Take advantage of strong solar panel brands

At US Power, the exclusive partnership with Qcells enables factory-direct pricing on American-made panels. You’re getting high efficiency, top warranty coverage and a trusted brand—while reducing your reliance on the grid.

Current tax & incentive overview (October 2025)

• The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) remains available at 30% for systems that begin installation by December 31, 2025. Delays may reduce your eligibility.
• California-based incentives (such as battery storage rebates, property-tax exclusions for solar) continue but may evolve over time.
• The rising utility rates amplify the return on solar investment—each future year of higher grid rates strengthens the case for going solar now.

How Much Could You Actually Save?

Let’s walk through a simplified scenario for a Southern California home under SCE service. Assume:

• Average usage: ~500 kWh/month
• Current SCE average ~31¢/kWh (plus TOU variability)
• Rate increase: ~10% in 2025

Without solar:
At 500 kWh × $0.31/kWh = $155/month → with 10% hike ~$171/month → ~$2,052/year (before further increases).

With solar + battery:
If your system offsets most of that usage (say 90%), your electricity bill may drop to <$50–$60/month after loan or lease payments.
Over a 25-year horizon, while SCE rates keep creeping upward, your solar system’s “fuel” remains free, improving your savings each year.

Since utility rates are expected to continue rising through at least 2028 and beyond, the earlier you install, the more runway you have to maximize savings.

Why Choose US Power for Your Southern California Solar Installation

• Local expertise: Serving Sherman Oaks and all of Southern California, US Power knows the local building codes, permitting process and utility interactions with SCE.
• Exclusive factory-direct Qcells panels: Our partnership gives you elite American-made panels with premium efficiency and full warranty support.
• Full stack solar + battery solutions: Pick from Qcells, Tesla, Enphase, FranklinWH—tailored to your goals whether it’s just reducing your bills or achieving backup power and energy independence.
• Streamlined process: From site assessment and permitting to installation and activation, we handle everything and keep you informed at every step.
• Focus on long-term value: We don’t just sell a system—we design to maximize your ROI, minimize your payback period, and deliver predictable results.

Next Steps for Homeowners — How to Get Started

1. Request a free home energy audit from US Power—no obligation, locally performed, customized for your roof, usage and budget.
2. Explore system options: solar-only vs. solar + battery; size vs. usage; financing vs. cash purchase.
3. Lock in incentives: Confirm your eligibility for the ITC, state/local rebates and net energy metering terms.
4. Schedule permitting and installation: Southern California neighborhoods have high demand—securing your timeline matters.
5. Monitor your results: Once installed, track your production, your bill reduction, and your greenhouse-gas savings.

It’s Time to Take Control of Rising Energy Costs

If your Southern California electricity bill keeps climbing, you’re not alone. Southern California Edison (SCE) recently approved another 10% rate hike in 2025, pushing household energy costs to some of the highest in the country. For many homeowners, that means spending hundreds more each year — with no end in sight.

But here’s the good news: you can stop these increases from draining your wallet.

Simply, schedule an appointment with US Power!

At US Power, we help homeowners across Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, and surrounding SoCal communities take back control of their power bills.