Plug-in solar savings on Liberty Utilities
Last updated
The short answer: on Liberty Utilities's D-1 rate of 45.21¢/kWh,[source] the example kit (800 W, $1,000) saves about $358 a year and pays for itself in about 2.8 years, assuming typical placement and that you use most of its power at home.
What the example kit saves on Liberty Utilities
| Where the panels go | Saves a year | Pays back in |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent: south-facing, tilted, no shade | $472 | 2.1 years |
| Typical: well-placed | $358 | 2.8 years |
| Shaded or vertical balcony | $260 | 3.8 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
Liberty's Schedule D-1 total energy charges, effective September 1, 2026, plus the $0.0013/kWh surcharge: $0.39951 within your baseline allowance and $0.45214 above it (permanent residents). The kit cuts your highest-priced usage first, so we use the above-baseline rate. Non-permanent residents pay $0.43251 for all kWh.[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 Liberty Utilities
SB 868 covers investor-owned utilities ("electrical corporations") such as Liberty Utilities, as well as city utilities. Liberty Utilities 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 Liberty Utilities?
- About $358 a year for an example 800 W kit with typical placement, at Liberty Utilities's D-1 rate of 45.21¢/kWh, paying back in about 2.8 years. Your result depends on your usage and where the panels go.
- Does SB 868 apply to Liberty Utilities customers?
- Yes. The law covers both investor-owned and local publicly owned electric utilities. Liberty Utilities may ask you to register a qualifying kit online, but can't charge fees related to it.