Make an Informed Rate Choice
Last Updated 01/6/2018
You can opt for the Net Energy Metering - NEM billing rate DR-SES or stay with your existing residential DR rate. Understanding your generation and energy usage will help you make an informed rate choice.
To make an informed decision about which rate is right for you, try this self-analysis of your energy usage:
- Read the netted “10” display on your electric meter at 4 p.m., then again at 9 p.m.
- Subtract the first reading from the second reading
- The end result will show a positive number (how much energy you use) or a negative number (the excess energy sent back to the grid).
More information regarding reading your smart net-energy meter
If your energy use is less than your energy generation during the on-peak DR-SES hours (4 p.m. – 9 p.m.), the NEM DR-SES billing rate could help lower your annual electricity costs.
Weighing the Financial Benefits
The price of energy is much higher during summer on-peak hours, when your system typically produces the most electricity. This means that every excess kilowatt-hour your system generates is credited to your account at the higher rate during the summer on-peak period. The higher credits you receive can offset the cost of electricity during times when you may need electricity from the grid, such as in the evening when the system is not producing energy.
If you use more on-peak electricity than your system produces, you’ll be charged the higher rate for the energy you use. It’s possible your bill could end up being higher than it would have been under the standard residential rate.
- September 1, 2015 this charge is $0.33 per day, or about $120 per year. The 2015/2016 year is prorated according to how many days are before and after September 1 regardless of which residential rate you choose. CARE, FERA and medical baseline customers receive a 50% discount on the minimum charge.
- If one of these provisions applies to you, please call our Customer Contact center at 1-800-411-SDGE (7343) and ask to speak to a Net Metering or Solar Specialist.
More Information
With a Time-Of-Use (TOU) rate like DR-SES, the price of electricity varies according to on-peak, semi-peak and off-peak use time periods, as seen in the following table.
Time Periods
Weekdays
| TOU PERIOD: Weekdays | SUMMER | WINTER |
|---|---|---|
| On-Peak | 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. |
| Off-Peak |
6 a.m. - 4 p.m. 9 p.m. - midnight |
6 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Super-Off-Peak | Midnight - 6 a.m. | Midnight - 6 a.m. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in March and April |
Weekends and Holidays
| TOU PERIOD: Weekends and Holidays | SUMMER | WINTER |
|---|---|---|
| On-Peak | 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. | 4 p.m. - 9 p.m. |
| Off-Peak |
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Super-Off-Peak | Midnight - 2 p.m. | Midnight - 2 p.m. |
Winter and Summer Seasons
Depending on your energy usage throughout the day and the amount of electricity produced by your solar energy system, you may be able to reduce your annual energy costs.
|
Summer |
June 1 – October 31 |
|---|---|
|
Winter |
November 1 – May 31 |
Please call us at 1-800-411-7343.
NEM - Optional Rate DR SES Authorization Form
Current and Historic Residential Rate Prices