SCE forcing me off TOU-D-A

[Ampster]

I don't think battery were design to save money.

I agree, battery systems are designed to store energy. Storing energy and using it to offset high rates may allow someone to save money depending on the rate structure.

My co-worker has just start to shop for Tesla Powerwall (3 in total) add on to his 40 panels solar. He needs the backup system for his family need. I believe the quote were about $42k. He is still shopping. I have friend spent 6 digits install Tesla solar and batteries bragging he spend way less than gasoline. I was like "how did you get that idea?"

I had an order for two Tesla Powerwalls and was going to get an SGIP rebate. I did the math and figured I could do a DIY system for a lot less than the net cost after rebates. I have been driving EVs for ten years and probably driven 200,000 miles and saved a lot of money that i would have spent on gasoline. I would rather have two EVs in the garage than three Tesla Powerwalls.

[silversaver]

I don't think battery were design to save money. My co-worker has just start to shop for Tesla Powerwall (3 in total) add on to his 40 panels solar. He needs the backup system for his family need. I believe the quote were about $42k. He is still shopping. I have friend spent 6 digits install Tesla solar and batteries bragging he spend nothing gasoline. I was like "how did you get that idea?" Tell me about it when you see people spend over $72k for a Y model just for that self driving.

[Ampster]

Batteries add upfront and repair cost. I haven’t been keeping up with the solar economics of late. How do things pencil out in the NEM2/3 reality and new TOU intervals? Can you break even in under 10 years with a system that uses batteries?

No, I do not think I will get to break even in under ten years. My goal has been to provide resiliency (backup}, reduce my cost of energy, and provide a hedge against erosion of NEM benefits and increasing rates.
I charge two EVs and have recently installed a minisplit heat pump to replace an old inefficient Forced Air Unit. I will be replacing a natural gas water heater with with a HPWH. The upfront cost of 42 kWh of LFP batteries was $125 per kWh and in two years they have not needed any repair or maintenance. I expect to get at least ten years out of them and the hybrid inverter. They have reduced the cost of energy and provided resiliency but the payback on the hedge is yet to be determined. I have had more expensive hobbies.

[gvl]

Batteries add upfront and repair cost. I haven’t been keeping up with the solar economics of late. How do things pencil out in the NEM2/3 reality and new TOU intervals? Can you break even in under 10 years with a system that uses batteries?

[Ampster]

Yeah, more or less the same here, EV usage will be out of pocket. I can’t think of a scenario when the new TOU structure can be better than tiered with solar, maybe if you don’t consume anything during on-peak but that’s not realistic for 99% of population.

I have been on TOU rates with EVs for over ten years. In the past I was a net consumer of 1000 kWhs or more but was able to have a net dollar credit. That is increasingly difficult to do with Non Bypassable Charges, Miniimum Delivery Charges and changes in TOU tariffs. I never thought I would say this but I agree that 99% of the population with just solar would be better off on a tiered rate. In the future, with rates and TOU time periods in California changing for the worse, batteries will become more useful in California to reduce power charges.

[gvl]

It really depends on your usage. I just switch from TOU-D-A to Domestic tier plan last Dec 2021 since my solar activates in Dec 2013. My solar is still cover 100% of my home usage, but not enough to cover my EV. Take a look of your true up statement for 12 months and see what is your net consumption to make the switch.

Yeah, more or less the same here, EV usage will be out of pocket. I can’t think of a scenario when the new TOU structure can be better than tiered with solar, maybe if you don’t consume anything during on-peak but that’s not realistic for 99% of population.

[silversaver]

The TOU-D-A is finally ending for me in August, which is about 7 years and 2 months since the PTO was granted in 2015, not too bad, I think I broke even on my investment or close by now. In the letter they messed up and estimate that the new plan I'll be switched over by default will be as good as the TOU-D-A which I thought was too good to be true, but in a follow up e-mail it shows it will be $600 more expensive which is in the ballpark of what I expected. Domestic is estimated to be only $170 more expensive, so this is what I'll be switching to.

It really depends on your usage. I just switch from TOU-D-A to Domestic tier plan last Dec 2021 since my solar activates in Dec 2013. My solar is still cover 100% of my home usage, but not enough to cover my EV. Take a look of your true up statement for 12 months and see what is your net consumption to make the switch.

[jasonvr]

The TOU-D-A is finally ending for me in August, which is about 7 years and 2 months since the PTO was granted in 2015, not too bad, I think I broke even on my investment or close by now. In the letter they messed up and estimate that the new plan I'll be switched over by default will be as good as the TOU-D-A which I thought was too good to be true, but in a follow up e-mail it shows it will be $600 more expensive which is in the ballpark of what I expected. Domestic is estimated to be only $170 more expensive, so this is what I'll be switching to.

At the end of this month my 5th year of NEM will end an it will be equally split between TOU-D-A and domestic Tiered. Thank goodness for the 6 months on TOU-D-A because it is going to mean this year I still won't owe anything. Next year though..... I'm about $1500 out from payback on the solar though, so still an overall positive. I've looked at adding a few panels to close the gap on the tiered rate, but I'm not convinced it will pay itself back in a reasonable period of time

[gvl]

The TOU-D-A is finally ending for me in August, which is about 7 years and 2 months since the PTO was granted in 2015, not too bad, I think I broke even on my investment or close by now. In the letter they messed up and estimate that the new plan I'll be switched over by default will be as good as the TOU-D-A which I thought was too good to be true, but in a follow up e-mail it shows it will be $600 more expensive which is in the ballpark of what I expected. Domestic is estimated to be only $170 more expensive, so this is what I'll be switching to.

[silversaver]

My solar start in Dec 2013 and the TOU-D-A end on Dec 2021. I just use sce.com switch to Domestic (tier plan)

If you size your solar 100% coverage, the additional is really the EV or other appliances as electric water heater which some of my friend use.

[gvl]

gvl:

If you still want to stay on tiered rates, that sure looks like the form you need. I'd still call SCE to confirm and make sure to get the name of the person you speak with.

That looks like a form to stay on a tiered rate. Frankly I'm afraid to call, who knows maybe they kept me on TOU-D-A for so long because I slid under the radar due to a software glitch. From that point of view it's probably best to keep quiet, and maybe they'll let me stay on TOU-D-A forever

[jasonvr]

gvl:

If you still want to stay on tiered rates, that sure looks like the form you need. I'd still call SCE to confirm and make sure to get the name of the person you speak with.

I was able to move over to tiered from TOU-D-A over the phone when TOU-D-A got eliminated

[J.P.M.]

Is this what your looking for:
https://pages.email.sce.com/toutransition/en/

gvl:

If you still want to stay on tiered rates, that sure looks like the form you need. I'd still call SCE to confirm and make sure to get the name of the person you speak with.

[steachj]

I'm with SDG & E and an NEM 1.0 user. When T.O.U. was made "mandatory" several years ago as part of the 5 yr. grandfathering on old T.O.U. times, SDG & E NEM 1.0 customers were told (but rather cryptically) they must "actively decline" to accept a T.O.U. rate. Otherwise, T.O.U. rates wound happen. The decline form was available but while not hidden, was not immediately apparent.

The few of my neighbors who had not yet succumbed to T.O.U. and who even bothered to read the notice of the opt out requirement mostly ignored it or didn't understand what was going on and wound up on T.O.U. The wording was cryptic and vague, but the fact was (at the time) that NEM 1.0 users could stay on tiered rates by such an "active decline" for 20 years from original P.T.O. which would mean they would stay on tiered rates. I made such a written declaration and am still on the same tiered rate tariff I started on in 2003 (Schedule DR).

I'll be interested to see if/when the CPUC gets around to voting on the latest NEM 3.0 proposals whether or not NEM 1.0 users who are still on tiered rates will be forced to T.O.U.

Is this what your looking for:

https://pages.email.sce.com/toutransition/en/

[J.P.M.]

^^ Last time I spoke to SCE about the grandfathered TOU-D-A being discontinued they indicated I can switch to the tiered plan at any time given I'm a NEM1.0 customer. I can see they may be willing to switch me over to a new solar-unfriendly TOU plan by default, but I hope what they told me was correct and the tiered plan remains an elective option.

If/until MEM 3.0 comes along and changes things, I believe a tiered rate tariff is still available for I.O.U. customers.

The last rate sheet for schedule DR for SDG & E (Sheet # 35702 - E) was issued 12/30/21 making tiered rates still available as of that date and if so, I'd suggest still available on that date.

Even though they are not my POCO, I've talked to SCE in the past and found them hit/miss on ease of dealing with I'd suggest you give them a call and get what you've been told confirmed.