Solar Savings in California

California homeowners pay the highest electricity rates in the continental United States, and those rates keep climbing. HONU HOME locks in a lower rate from day one.

$0.38/kWh
Avg. PG&E Rate
$0.44/kWh
Avg. SDG&E Rate
50%+
5-Year Rate Increase
$250
Avg. Monthly Bill

Why California Homeowners Are Going Solar

Record rate hikes, wildfire costs, and new billing structures are pushing Californians toward energy independence.

1

Wildfire Cost Pass-Throughs

PG&E's 2019 bankruptcy triggered by $30B+ in wildfire liabilities has been passed directly to ratepayers. PG&E raised rates 22.6% in 2023 alone -- the largest single-year increase in its history. Customers are paying for decades of underinvestment in grid maintenance.

2

Compounding Annual Increases

California residential electricity rates have risen roughly 50% over the past five years, far outpacing inflation. SDG&E customers now pay the highest rates in the entire nation, with average bills exceeding $250/month. Every year without solar means paying more.

3

NEM 3.0 & New Fixed Charges

California's shift to NEM 3.0 and the introduction of income-graduated fixed charges are fundamentally changing how Californians pay for electricity. A PPA lets you lock in predictable solar pricing without the complexity of managing export credits.

A History of Rate Hikes

California utilities have raised rates year after year. Here is the timeline.

2019PG&E+6.4%

PG&E filed for bankruptcy due to wildfire liabilities exceeding $30 billion, leading to rate increases to cover costs.

2020SDG&E+5.2%

SDG&E raised rates to fund wildfire mitigation and grid hardening programs across San Diego County.

2021PG&E+8%

PG&E increased rates 8% to fund wildfire prevention, vegetation management, and undergrounding power lines.

2021SCE+9.2%

Southern California Edison raised rates 9.2% for wildfire risk reduction and grid modernization investments.

2022PG&E+10%

CPUC approved PG&E rate increase of nearly 10% to cover infrastructure upgrades and wildfire fund contributions.

2022SDG&E+14.3%

SDG&E customers saw 14.3% rate hike, pushing average bills over $200/month and making SDG&E the most expensive utility in the US.

2023PG&E+22.6%

PG&E raised rates 22.6% in a single year, the largest increase in the utility's history, to cover wildfire costs and infrastructure.

2023SCE+12.5%

SCE raised rates 12.5% citing wildfire liability insurance costs and grid reliability investments.

2024SDG&E+6%

SDG&E customers faced another 6% increase on top of already-record rates, with average residential bills exceeding $250/month.

2024PG&E+7.5%

CPUC approved additional PG&E rate increase for continued wildfire hardening and clean energy procurement.

PG&E vs. HONU HOME Over 25 Years

See how a HONU HOME PPA keeps your rate low while utility rates compound year after year.

$0.00$0.20$0.40$0.60$0.80$1.00Yr 0Yr 5Yr 10Yr 15Yr 20Yr 25Years$/kWhYear 1Year 10Year 25PG&E (projected +6%/yr)HONU HOME PPA (2.99%/yr)Your savings

California Energy News

Real reporting on why California electricity rates keep rising.

See what you'd save in California

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