u/SolarTech_SD

Has anyone else noticed a higher-than-expected SDG&E True-Up bill recently?

A lot of San Diego homeowners with solar are starting to feel the effects of SDG&E’s updated Time-of-Use (TOU) rate structure, especially those with solar-only systems and no battery storage.

The biggest change is happening during the 10 AM–2 PM “Super Off-Peak” window — which is also when most solar panels generate the most electricity. Under the updated SDG&E rates, solar energy exported to the grid during these hours is now worth significantly less than before.

At the same time, electricity prices during the 4 PM–9 PM peak period remain much higher.

That means many homeowners are:

• Exporting solar power to the grid during lower-value daytime hours
• Then purchasing electricity back from SDG&E during expensive evening peak hours
• Seeing the difference show up later as larger annual True-Up balances

This has become a growing topic for California solar homeowners trying to understand why their utility bills look different even though they already have solar installed.

One solution more homeowners are now considering is adding battery storage, which allows excess daytime solar energy to be stored and used later during peak-rate hours instead of sending it back to the grid at lower compensation rates.

There are also battery rebate programs currently available through San Diego Community Power for qualifying homeowners, although funding is limited.

Curious what everyone’s seeing so far

Has anyone else noticed a higher-than-expected SDG&E True-Up bill recently?

A lot of San Diego homeowners with solar are starting to feel the effects of SDG&E’s updated Time-of-Use (TOU) rate structure, especially those with solar-only systems and no battery storage.

The biggest change is happening during the 10 AM–2 PM “Super Off-Peak” window — which is also when most solar panels generate the most electricity. Under the updated SDG&E rates, solar energy exported to the grid during these hours is now worth significantly less than before.

At the same time, electricity prices during the 4 PM–9 PM peak period remain much higher.

That means many homeowners are:

• Exporting solar power to the grid during lower-value daytime hours
• Then purchasing electricity back from SDG&E during expensive evening peak hours
• Seeing the difference show up later as larger annual True-Up balances

This has become a growing topic for California solar homeowners trying to understand why their utility bills look different even though they already have solar installed.

One solution more homeowners are now considering is adding battery storage, which allows excess daytime solar energy to be stored and used later during peak-rate hours instead of sending it back to the grid at lower compensation rates.

There are also battery rebate programs currently available through San Diego Community Power for qualifying homeowners, although funding is limited.

Curious what everyone’s seeing so far.

More than half of all planned 2026 data centers are delayed because utilities can’t

deploy new grid connections fast enough. Capacity costs in PJM markets are surging,

and major utilities are warning of load curtailments.

Federal efforts like the SPARK Program and REWIRE Act will modernize transmission but

won’t solve the short-term crunch. That opens an opportunity for solar and battery

developers to fill capacity gaps quickly.

This marks a narrative shift: solar is no longer just about clean power — it’s part of the

infrastructure solution to national grid constraints.

How should the solar sector position itself as grid resilience becomes the new selling

point?

More than half of all planned 2026 data centers are delayed because utilities can’t

deploy new grid connections fast enough. Capacity costs in PJM markets are surging,

and major utilities are warning of load curtailments.

Federal efforts like the SPARK Program and REWIRE Act will modernize transmission but

won’t solve the short-term crunch. That opens an opportunity for solar and battery

developers to fill capacity gaps quickly.

This marks a narrative shift: solar is no longer just about clean power — it’s part of the

infrastructure solution to national grid constraints.

How should the solar sector position itself as grid resilience becomes the new selling

point?

Federal energy regulators confirm that AI data centers and industrial clusters are

competing with residential neighborhoods for limited grid capacity. Those costs

eventually show up in homeowner bills.

The White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge highlighted rising costs, but the national

average price still sits near $0.18 per kWh — the highest ever recorded.

Many experts now argue that the true bottleneck isn’t energy supply but grid access.

Transmission lines and substations are the scarce resources shaping who gets reliable

power.

Do you think homeowners are being fairly represented in these grid planning debates?

California’s data center boom is accelerating while the grid struggles to keep up.

Statewide, more than 1,700 MW of new AI-related data center demand is on the way —

equivalent to powering 1.2 million homes.

San Diego’s regional transmission lines are already near capacity in key corridors.

Regulators at FERC say roughly half of all planned 2026 data centers nationwide are

delayed because there isn’t enough grid capacity.

The DOE’s new $1.9B SPARK Program targets reconductoring and transmission line

modernization but doesn’t directly generate new power. Local utilities could push those

infrastructure costs onto ratepayers.

Do you think California’s tech expansion is coming at the expense of San Diego

ratepayers?

If you've been following the European solar scene you already know about Balkonkraftwerk — Germany's plug-in balcony solar craze that now has over 4 million households running small panels off their balconies and patios. California has been weirdly behind on this, but that's about to change.

SB 868 just passed the state Senate Energy Committee 12-0. Once it becomes law, you'll be able to buy a 400-1200 watt plug-in solar system, mount it on a balcony railing or prop it in the backyard, and plug it straight into a standard outlet. No permits, no utility paperwork, no installer required.

Systems run $500-$1,200 and can offset up to 20% of a typical household's electricity use. With California having the second-highest electricity rates in the country, that's real money back in your pocket every month.

It won't replace a full rooftop system, but for renters, condo owners, or anyone with a shaded or older roof, this is actually a viable entry point into solar.

Has anyone here already been running a plug-in system? Curious how they perform in real-world conditions and whether the $500 entry price is worth it.