San Diego solar guides and comparisonsReviewed July 2026
SDG&E & billing

SDG&E Solar Billing Plan Explained

Understand time-of-use imports, export credits and why self-consumption matters.

Reviewed July 2026

New solar customers in SDG&E territory generally need to think about when electricity is used and exported—not only annual totals. California’s Net Billing Tariff applies to customers whose interconnection applications were submitted on or after April 15, 2023. SDG&E calls its implementation the Solar Billing Plan.

Imports and exports are valued differently

Electricity used from the grid is billed under time-of-use rates. Electricity sent to the grid earns an export credit that varies by hour. As a result, a kilowatt-hour used directly in the home can be more valuable than the same kilowatt-hour exported during a low-value period.

Questions for every savings model

  • Which rate plan was assumed?
  • How much production is used onsite versus exported?
  • Which export-credit schedule is modeled?
  • Are fixed, non-bypassable or non-nettable charges included?
  • How does a battery dispatch across the day?
Practical takeaway

A proposal should show more than annual production. Ask for hourly or interval-based modeling when possible.

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Sources

Rules, rates, products and programs change. Verify current information with the linked official source and the final written contract.

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