The best Time-of-Use (TOU) rate plan for Southern California Edison customers with solar systems varies depending on the needs of that specific customer. There are three different TOU rate plans. Users should pick the best plan for them based on factors such as how long they stay up at night and whether they own an electric vehicle.
The three TOU rate plans offered by SoCal Edison
There are three TOU plans: two basic plans, and another for electric car owners. The first two plans, TOU-D-4-9PM and TOU-D-5-8PM differ only by when peak evening rates are charged. The plan offered to electric vehicle owners is called TOU-D-Prime. Of the three plans, the Prime plan has the lowest rates.
TOU-D-5-8PM Rate plan
SoCal Edison claims this is the best TOU rate plan for people who go to bed early. Peak rate hours are from 5 PM to 8 PM. There are two different rate schedules, one for winter and another for summer. There are also different rate schedules for weekdays and weekends.
Summer rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM 23¢ 5 PM – 8 PM 47¢ 8 PM – 8 AM 23¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 5 PM 23¢ 5 PM – 8 PM 35¢ 8 PM – 8 AM 23¢ |
Winter rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 5 PM 22¢ 5 PM – 8 PM 38¢ 8 PM – 8 AM 25¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 5 PM 22¢ 5 PM – 8 PM 38¢ 8 PM – 8 AM 25¢ |
TOU-D-4-9PM
Summer rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 4 PM 23¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 37¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 23¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 5 PM 23¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 30¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 23¢ |
Winter rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 4 PM 22¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 32¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 24¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 5 PM 22¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 32¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 24¢ |
TOU-Prime rate plan
The TOU-Prime rate plan is only available to an electric car or plug-in hybrid owners. You must charge your car at home to be eligible for this rate plan. As of the date of writing this article, if you have an electric car or are thinking of getting one, this is the best TOU SoCal Edison rate plan to have. As you can see from the charts below the rates in this plan are lower than the other two plans.
Summer rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 4 PM 14¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 39¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 14¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 4 PM 14¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 27¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 14¢ |
Winter rates
| Weekdays 8 AM – 4 PM 14¢ 4 PM – 9 PM 39¢ 9 PM – 8 AM 14¢ | Weekends 8 AM – 4 PM 4 PM – 9 PM 9 PM – 8 AM14¢27¢14¢ |
Note: All rates listed above are for illustrative purposes only and may vary over time. Consumers should confirm their applicable rates directly with their utility and should not rely on the rates listed here.
The SoCal Edison TOU rate plan is the TOU-Prime plan
There are benefits to owning an electric car or a plug-in hybrid in California whether you have solar or not. You not only get better utility rates, but you may also be eligible to collect the state’s Electric Vehicle Carbon Credit (EVCC). If eligible, you can collect the EVCC once per year. The amount of the EVCC depends on how much money the state earns selling carbon credits on the state’s carbon marketplace.
Author’s note: I own a Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid. I received $850 from the EVCC last year. It was enough to pay for all of the gas my car used in 2019!
Freedom Forever is ready to help you get the most from going solar
If you’re thinking about going solar, Freedom Forever is here to help! You can confidently go solar with us thanks to our 25-year production guarantee. Want to also include batteries or add batteries to your existing system? We have batteries in stock that may be suitable for your needs. Bottom line, we’re ready to help you go solar the smart way.