SCE forcing me off TOU-D-A

[gvl]

^^ 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.

[J.P.M.]

I'm really surprised you haven't been kicked off. I'm assuming you mean May 2015 PTO. You only were guaranteed 5 years, not to exceed 2022. So if they haven't done it yet, it'll be done this year.

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.

[gvl]

I'm really surprised you haven't been kicked off. I'm assuming you mean May 2015 PTO. You only were guaranteed 5 years, not to exceed 2022. So if they haven't done it yet, it'll be done this year.

Yes it is May 2015 PTO and I'm surprised as well, I was expecting to be kicked off starting June last year but it didn't happen. No complaints though, I'll ride it as long as they let me

[jasonvr]

With the 05/15 PTO SCE hasn't kicked us out from the TOU-D-A as of yet but likely will soon. I previously looked into the numbers the tiered plan would work better, fortunately I'm on NEM 1.0 so that is an option. We have an aging EV that will likely need to be disposed of in the near future and I'm not yet sold on the idea of getting another, without an EV we will be close to 0-offset, so I think it will work out well overall. Technically I can add about 1kW without violating my NEM agreement, will need to see if it makes any financial sense after they switch me over.

I'm really surprised you haven't been kicked off. I'm assuming you mean May 2015 PTO. You only were guaranteed 5 years, not to exceed 2022. So if they haven't done it yet, it'll be done this year.

[gvl]

With the 05/15 PTO SCE hasn't kicked us out from the TOU-D-A as of yet but likely will soon. I previously looked into the numbers the tiered plan would work better, fortunately I'm on NEM 1.0 so that is an option. We have an aging EV that will likely need to be disposed of in the near future and I'm not yet sold on the idea of getting another, without an EV we will be close to 0-offset, so I think it will work out well overall. Technically I can add about 1kW without violating my NEM agreement, will need to see if it makes any financial sense after they switch me over.

[silversaver]

Kinda stinks for me because I didn't size for 100% due to the promise of NEM and TOU rates. Now, being a net consumer absolutely means I will have a bill at my true up. I do have the ability to increase by up to 1kW or 10% (whichever is greater) and can remain under NEM 1.0, so I'll have to see if that makes financial sense (and if my inverter can handle it)

Yes, check with your solar size vs inverter. I originally have 2 X13 panels of 255W. I end up adding one panel to each array and still using the same inverter. I am running a SMA 6K

[J.P.M.]

Kinda stinks for me because I didn't size for 100% due to the promise of NEM and TOU rates. Now, being a net consumer absolutely means I will have a bill at my true up. I do have the ability to increase by up to 1kW or 10% (whichever is greater) and can remain under NEM 1.0, so I'll have to see if that makes financial sense (and if my inverter can handle it)

I'm NEM 1.0, never left tiered rates and will probably - depending on what the CPUC and SDG & E do with rates - stay that way as long as possible. even though I've got an array, given my use and usage pattern, for any reasonable scenario, T.O.U. rates are more expensive for me.

[nomadh]

I think since I have been an exporter of kWh over the year, it doesn't matter much if I am on the TOU or tiered rate. I have an excess of kWh and they pay me 4 cents/kWh or less for my excess power. The off peak power rate is 13 cents with TOU and 26 cents with tiered. At the end of the relevant period year I have an excess of kWh and it doesn't matter if I used expensive kWhs or cheap kWhs, they pay me the same 4 cents for the kWhs I gave them.

Maybe make a deal with a neighbor to hook up to an extension and charge him a discount for some electricity?

[jasonvr]

I do use 2 main data: solar annual production vs SCE usage after your net 12 months. Since I drive less distance to work now and I am only withdraw 1k kwh from SCE after my net 12 months bill. Without the EV, my solar still cover 100% usage (2021 were not hot as 2020). You just need to collect as much data you can. I know my EV's eMPG (or miles per kWh). Driving EV isn't that same as before anymore. Your cost will be now $0.26 depends on your solar size, but mostly in $0.34 per kWh range. Too bad SCE only allow 100% coverage when start a new solar.

Good news is your TOD-D-A credit will be in your account until your 12 months end after your switch to Tier plan.

Kinda stinks for me because I didn't size for 100% due to the promise of NEM and TOU rates. Now, being a net consumer absolutely means I will have a bill at my true up. I do have the ability to increase by up to 1kW or 10% (whichever is greater) and can remain under NEM 1.0, so I'll have to see if that makes financial sense (and if my inverter can handle it)

[silversaver]

Came back here to report that SCE did keep to their word and I stayed on TOU-D-A thru December 29 at which point I transitioned to Tiered Rate D. It must have really thrown their system for a loop though because I didn't get a bill for a full 2 months (got one on 12/1 and didn't get another until 2/3). And of course, SCE is already reaping the benefits. According to my spreadsheet, January would have only accumulated ~$26 of energy charges under TOU-D-A, but instead accumulated ~$81 under Rate D. I've made adjustments to my variable speed pool pump schedule to further drive down my electricity usage. By about mid-February I'll start over-producing per day and drive my yearly total energy charges back negative before my true up at the end of June. Then we'll see what a full year of Rate D looks like since I got 6 months of TOU-D-A benefit in this true up period. I will still be a net consumer (currently at a net consumption of ~2.3MWh since the start of my relevant period)

I was less than a year out from payoff on TOU-D-A based on my avoided costs compared to Tiered without solar, not sure yet how much this will extend out my overall payoff.

I do use 2 main data: solar annual production vs SCE usage after your net 12 months. Since I drive less distance to work now and I am only withdraw 1k kwh from SCE after my net 12 months bill. Without the EV, my solar still cover 100% usage (2021 were not hot as 2020). You just need to collect as much data you can. I know my EV's eMPG (or miles per kWh). Driving EV isn't that same as before anymore. Your cost will be now $0.26 depends on your solar size, but mostly in $0.34 per kWh range. Too bad SCE only allow 100% coverage when start a new solar.

Good news is your TOD-D-A credit will be in your account until your 12 months end after your switch to Tier plan.

[jasonvr]

Came back here to report that SCE did keep to their word and I stayed on TOU-D-A thru December 29 at which point I transitioned to Tiered Rate D. It must have really thrown their system for a loop though because I didn't get a bill for a full 2 months (got one on 12/1 and didn't get another until 2/3). And of course, SCE is already reaping the benefits. According to my spreadsheet, January would have only accumulated ~$26 of energy charges under TOU-D-A, but instead accumulated ~$81 under Rate D. I've made adjustments to my variable speed pool pump schedule to further drive down my electricity usage. By about mid-February I'll start over-producing per day and drive my yearly total energy charges back negative before my true up at the end of June. Then we'll see what a full year of Rate D looks like since I got 6 months of TOU-D-A benefit in this true up period. I will still be a net consumer (currently at a net consumption of ~2.3MWh since the start of my relevant period)

I was less than a year out from payoff on TOU-D-A based on my avoided costs compared to Tiered without solar, not sure yet how much this will extend out my overall payoff.

[silversaver]

For those who switched from TOU-D-A to tiered with EVs, did you find it advantageous to continue charging at night (off peak) or during the day during solar production?

Since the production credits aren't that great, I'm thinking using electricity during production may be a good option.

I just switch from TOU-D-A to Tier. So far I don't see any advantage to charge your EV during the night since it is base on tier of usage. Tier 1 I believe is up to 350kWh, Tier 2 from 351kWh to 1399kWh and High Tier 1400kWh and up. I am not sure how SCE credit on generation part perhaps same as what they charge you, but I do not believe they are doing it on daily basis. I am already 8 years into solar and I am not going to expand the system that is already 8yrs old. The new plans from SCE will benefit for those who install the battery system, but I am not sure what are the real saving of battery system unless your are high user charges EVs during the off peak time since price per gallon has gone up to its peak again. Back in the days were a 80% coverage system is really needed, I'll go as large as I can today.

[Ward L]

I agree, OftheSeven, it may be to your advantage to charge during the day when your panels are generating excess power. I've been meaning to call SCE to determine what my max export power is. If you don't get credit for extra solar power generation, then might as well charge up the EV. The problem is most people are out driving their EV during the day or want a full charge in the morning in case something comes up.

[OftheSeven]

For those who switched from TOU-D-A to tiered with EVs, did you find it advantageous to continue charging at night (off peak) or during the day during solar production?

Since the production credits aren't that great, I'm thinking using electricity during production may be a good option.

[silversaver]

Must be nice to have the tool actually work for you

Mine still either gives me an error or just refreshes back to the same page

Once you made the switch of plan, you will no long be able to using the comparison tool ( I don't think it is useful, but just use it to change plan) There is a note there: Note: Your service account must have 5 months of continuous energy usage.


I would rather use the view usage function to check my usage for last 12 months. All I need is the total of last 12 months how much energy I withdraw from SCE and any given day I might run over 400% to high usage rate.

usage.jpg