Arizona's Local Power Companies: How Their Solar Panel Plans Compare.

Thinking about going solar in Phoenix? You’re not alone. With abundant sunshine and rising energy costs, many homeowners are turning to solar panels to cut down on their utility bills. But before you install, there’s one major decision that can significantly affect your long-term savings—choosing between SRP and APS for your electricity provider. Each utility company offers different solar programs, rate plans, and credit structures for excess energy your system produces. In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences between SRP and APS solar production programs, compare their rates, and help you decide which option makes the most sense for your home and energy goals.

SRP Solar Production Programs

1. Customer Generation Plan (E‑27)

• Structure: Includes a monthly grid (service) fee (≈ $32.44–$45.44) and demand charges based on the highest 30-minute on-peak load

• Energy Rates: Lowest kWh rates of SRP’s residential plans and net-metering treatment—meaning unused solar energy reduces billed kWh one‑to‑one.

2. Average Demand Plan (E‑15)

• Similar to E‑27 but demand charges are averaged daily rather than peak-based.

• Still features net metering with comparable usage rates and grid fees

3. Time‑of‑Use Export Plan (E‑13)

• No demand charges—fixed service fee around $32.44.

• Higher TOU energy rates: e.g., summer on‑peak ≈ 22.70¢/kWh, off‑peak ≈ 9.03¢/kWh; winter on‑peak ≈ 11.45¢/kWh, off‑peak ≈ 8.85¢/kWh

• Excess solar is credited at a flat $0.0281/kWh—no net metering.

4. Electric Vehicle Export Plan (E‑14)

• Similar to E‑13 but with added super off‑peak window (11 pm–5 am) ideal for EV charging.

• Credit for excess solar also set at $0.0281/kWh, with EV-beneficial rate windows

Summary Comparison – SRP

APS Solar Production Programs

a. RCP Export Rate Rider

• APS bills excess solar exports using instantaneous net billing—metered in real time.

• Current Export Credit Rate (Tranche 2024) is 6.857¢/kWh. Locks in for 10 years upon interconnection, then resets annually

• Monthly bill credits roll over; balances > $25 trigger a refund check annually

b. EPR‑6 Renewable Net‑Metering Rider

• Available for businesses and legacy residential plans.

• Excess kWh are netted during billing period per TOU or standard service rates.

• Year-end excess is bought out at the EPR‑6 rate.

• Legacy customers (before changes) keep net-metering benefits for up to 20 years

c. EPR‑2 Net Billing Option

• For residential customers on TOU.

• Excess credits based on TOU purchase rates (summer/winter distinctions

APS TOU Plan Note: Balcony relies heavily on Time-of-Use rates, with on-peak often reaching ~$0.34/kWh and off-peak ~$0.12–$0.14/kWh .

APS vs SRP: Export Rate Crunch

• SRP export rate: ~$0.0281/kWh

• APS RCP export rate: ~$0.06857/kWh (~2.4× higher than SRP)

Thus, APS generally gives more credit per kWh of exported solar—though still lower than full retail rates. However, APS typically uses net billing (instantaneous netting), limiting credit value for exported solar; credits are locked for 10 years.

Which Program Fits Your Home?

Choose SRP if you:

• Prefer simpler net metering and consistent energy offset (Customer Generation/Average Demand).

• Can manage or avoid demand charges.

• Want predictable full retail credit, at the cost of demand-based fees.

Choose an SRP Export Plan (E‑13/E‑14) if you:

• Want no demand charges, and

• Can heavily self‑consume your solar production.

• Are OK with export credit of ~$0.0281/kWh.

• Especially advantageous for EV owners on E‑14.

Choose APS if you:

• Want higher export credit (~$0.0686/kWh).

• Are comfortable with net billing and TOU rates.

• Can lock export credit for a decade.

• Want opportunity to pair solar with battery storage and maximize peak-time offset

Final Thoughts

• SRP offers full net metering but you pay in demand charges unless you opt for export plans with much lower credit.

• APS pays more per exported kWh and locks that rate for 10 years, but its net billing structure means self-consumption remains more valuable.

• Batteries can significantly boost savings—especially under export or net-billing programs—by shifting self-consumption during peak TOU hours.

*ALL INFORMATION IS BASED ON THE TIME OF WRITING THIS ARTICLE. RATES AND PROGRAMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY NOTICE FROM THE SRP AND APS POWER COMPANIES. MODERN DAY ENERGY DOES NOT REPRESENT THE COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE BELOW.