Check your Edison Bill TOU-D-A , Base Line Credit

[arf88]

I don't know if this is a systemic problem or a misunderstanding but this has been elevated within SCE.

Correct me if I'm wrong but those of us on TOU-D-A there is a base line credit we are to receive on our monthly bills. This is supposed to be a "credit" I was told and this is being investigated, the credit will not be given to customers who produce more electricity than they use for that month. The problem I saw on my bill is that no only did I produce more than I used. The Base Line credit was actually not a credit and it end up costing me owing SCE this Base Line credit.

I would check your bills to ensure they are not actually charging your rather than giving you a credit or at least breaking even. Very odd but this is my first bill from SCE after going solar and not a single rep up to a supervisor could explain the Details of the charges, The rate table also does not match and I was told it is not just my bill. This has been elevated to their Billing Dept and I'm expecting another call back this week to clarify this.

[FFE]

Your bill is correct as far as the baseline credit being charged to you. Unfortunately a negative times a negative is a positive. The good news is that you will receive a net credit for the energy you produced.

[arf88]

I understand how multiplication works, the issue is that this is supposed to be a credit or null if you produce more than you consume. You are not supposed to be charged. Still waiting for the call back will update as I receive info.

[FFE]

Two and a half years ago when I investigated solar the SCE website warned that an NEM customer might owe for the baseline credit. It was either in the FAQ or the online brochure that was available. I was unable to find it in a ten minute search today. Maybe their policy changed for NEM 2.0 and their billing department is not up to date.

[arf88]

Thanks for looking, I have looked as well and was unable to find anything mentioning us customers would ow them. The rep on the phone doing the investigation told me that if you are a net producer for the month the baseline credit should be zero. This has been nothing short of a headache b/c not a single rep could explain the billing as the rate schedule does not even match the bill. If it is a systemic issue and they are charging us when they should not be I hope they provide a refund to everyone they overcharged.

[FFE]

Here is a little info from a past mistake SCE made and the final resolution. Note that when this happend it was considered normal to owe SCE for the baseline credit.

https://www.solarpaneltalk.com/forum/solar-panels-for-home/solar-panels-for-your-home/319807-did-sce-make-a-mistake-on-your-tou-d-a-may-june-bill

[arf88]

I read that post, at least it appears on some of the bills there is actually a credit, this is very deceptive if a baseline credit is charged to a customer that produces. I'm getting more aggravated as the days goes on. I was also told over the phone before getting solar my TOU rate would be locked in, but that was not true as they change the rates as frequently as they want if the CPUC agrees to their rate change. Can't believe anything you hear anymore from people but get it in writing.

[FFE]

And... finally found the FAQ. I searched sce baseline credit and found the document file name of PEV_NEM_FAQs+v3_EP. Their current FAQs as of last month for NEM do not appear to address this information.

[FFE]

The way I look at it SCE has a great system for long term viability. Trading at retail price as long as you are a net user seems like a great deal for an infinite battery for 3 cents per day. If you are a net producer they trade with you at retail prices and pay for any extra you produce at wholesale prices. This is a great deal for the customers. Many others in the US and other countries would love to have a deal half as good as we have. You are free to switch to TOU-D-B if you want to avoid the baseline credit. I agree that the info that you may owe for the baseline credit as a net producer is buried deep in their website and should be more obvious.

[arf88]

I found the FAQ you referenced and I simply don't understand their argument "This is necessary to ensure that you receive the same rate for the exported kWh that you would have received if you had consumed that same kWh from SCE." This is not the definition of a credit. Also does this apply to NEM 2.0 or just 1.0?

You mentioned they trade with you at retail prices, this is not necessarily true if you cash out, they will give you pennies on the KWh, not the rate they charge you. Regardless I didn't oversize my system to cash out I'm going EV eventually. But it would have been nice to know up front that TOU-D-A baseline credit doesn't end up being a charge. Will look into TOU-D-B, thanks for the info, curious to see what Edison rep says when they call me back. Amazing how many people working their don't even know their own policies and they freely give advice over the phone as if its gospel.

[J.P.M.]

Has anyone called SCE and articulated the questions to the people on the other end in a way they seem to understand ? I've only dealt w/ SDG & E and it took a few attempts but eventually, and after climbing the chain of command, and with some patience and calm persistence, I got answers for some rather obscure issues that made sense. Better from the horses mouth than from what may be no more than speculation from others.

[arf88]

I've been on the phone with multiple reps and supervisors trying to get an answer on this issue. One is more confused than the next about their own policies and billing practices. Waiting to hear back after this was escalated to the Billing dept. I even had to point to the NEM agreement on price changes since they couldn't find this info themselves and they are the Interconnection specialist team which deal with NEM specifically and billing.

[J.P.M.]

I've been on the phone with multiple reps and supervisors trying to get an answer on this issue. One is more confused than the next about their own policies and billing practices. Waiting to hear back after this was escalated to the Billing dept. I even had to point to the NEM agreement on price changes since they couldn't find this info themselves and they are the Interconnection specialist team which deal with NEM specifically and billing.

I understand. Been there w/ SDG & E. At that point I start climbing the chain of command. Eventually, you will find someone who is capable of answering your questions or point you in a direction that will allow you find information to get your own answers. I don't claim it's easy or fun. It's a royal PITA. It just takes persistence and usually some work and self education. In the end it depends on how bad you need or want answers and knowledge. In that quest, I've found nothing can replace persistence. Just don't lose tour patience or your temper. There are answers to your question. Just keep in mind they may not be what you thought or that you'll like.

Good luck.

[arf88]

I agree, believe me I'm very persistent, I called back when they didn't and ask for an update and I will get an answer from them eventually. It has been elevated through the ranks at SCE, it's a waiting game now to find out what their policy is but transparency is clearly not one of them if their own supervisors can't answer simple billing questions.

[J.P.M.]

I agree, believe me I'm very persistent, I called back when they didn't and ask for an update and I will get an answer from them eventually. It has been elevated through the ranks at SCE, it's a waiting game now to find out what their policy is but transparency is clearly not one of them if their own supervisors can't answer simple billing questions.

Understood and agree. I think we may have similar experiences with POCOs.