Plug-in solar savings on Bear Valley Electric Service
Last updated
The short answer: on Bear Valley Electric Service's Schedule D rate of 42.2¢/kWh,[source] the example kit (800 W, $1,000) saves about $334 a year and pays for itself in about 3.0 years, assuming typical placement and that you use most of its power at home.
What the example kit saves on Bear Valley Electric Service
| Where the panels go | Saves a year | Pays back in |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent: south-facing, tilted, no shade | $441 | 2.3 years |
| Typical: well-placed | $334 | 3.0 years |
| Shaded or vertical balcony | $243 | 4.1 years |
Power you send back to the grid is valued at $0, so a kit sized to what you use during the day saves the most. Run your own numbers, including how savings add up over the years.
Where this rate comes from
Bear Valley's Schedule D, effective September 1, 2026, plus its other per-kWh charges ($0.06852): $0.36666 for Tier 1 (baseline), $0.42199 for Tier 2 (up to 130% of baseline) and $0.56048 above that. We use Tier 2; if your usage is well above 130% of baseline, your savings will be higher. Non-permanent residents (Schedule DO) pay $0.52815.[source]
Discounts
If you're on CARE or FERA, your rate is lower, so a kit saves less. Choose your discount in the calculator.
SB 868 and Bear Valley Electric Service
SB 868 covers investor-owned utilities ("electrical corporations") such as Bear Valley Electric Service, as well as city utilities. Bear Valley Electric Service may ask you to register a qualifying kit through a simple online form, but can't charge fees related to it.[source] Read SB 868 explained and run through the checks before you buy.
Estimates only. Not electrical, legal or financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
- How much could a plug-in solar kit save on Bear Valley Electric Service?
- About $334 a year for an example 800 W kit with typical placement, at Bear Valley Electric Service's Schedule D rate of 42.2¢/kWh, paying back in about 3.0 years. Your result depends on your usage and where the panels go.
- Does SB 868 apply to Bear Valley Electric Service customers?
- Yes. The law covers both investor-owned and local publicly owned electric utilities. Bear Valley Electric Service may ask you to register a qualifying kit online, but can't charge fees related to it.