California solar decisions
SCE time-of-use rates in 2026: peak hours and plan choice
Start with the plan name on your bill. SCE has more than one peak window. A cheaper off-peak price does not, by itself, make a plan cheaper for your household.
Updated September 10, 2026 · California Rate Relief is a private solar referral service.
What are SCE peak and off-peak hours?
SCE's published plan comparison shows the following windows. The table summarizes timing; use the current bill and SCE's account tool for your actual prices. Checked September 10, 2026. Source: SCE residential TOU plans.
TOU-D 4–9 PM
- Higher-priced window
- 4–9 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak.
- Off-peak and super off-peak
- Summer: off-peak 9 p.m.–4 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- What changes the comparison
- A baseline credit applies up to the account allocation.
TOU-D 5–8 PM
- Higher-priced window
- 5–8 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak.
- Off-peak and super off-peak
- Summer: off-peak 8 p.m.–5 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 8 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- What changes the comparison
- A shorter window can carry a higher price. Compare annual cost.
TOU-D-PRIME
- Higher-priced window
- 4–9 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak.
- Off-peak and super off-peak
- Summer: off-peak 9 p.m.–4 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- What changes the comparison
- No baseline credit. Eligibility and Solar Billing Plan requirements matter.
| Plan | Higher-priced window | Off-peak and super off-peak | What changes the comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOU-D 4–9 PM | 4–9 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak. | Summer: off-peak 9 p.m.–4 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | A baseline credit applies up to the account allocation. |
| TOU-D 5–8 PM | 5–8 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak. | Summer: off-peak 8 p.m.–5 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 8 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | A shorter window can carry a higher price. Compare annual cost. |
| TOU-D-PRIME | 4–9 p.m.; summer weekday on-peak, summer weekend and winter mid-peak. | Summer: off-peak 9 p.m.–4 p.m. the following day. Winter: off-peak 9 p.m.–8 a.m.; super off-peak 8 a.m.–4 p.m. | No baseline credit. Eligibility and Solar Billing Plan requirements matter. |
Summer runs June–September. Winter runs October–May, with a daytime super off-peak period. Weekend labels differ from summer weekdays.
Which plan is cheapest for your home?
Use SCE's rate comparison tool with your own account. It compares eligible plans using your energy history. Then check what will change: an EV, a heat pump, a work-from-home schedule or a new battery can make last year a poor guide to next year.
- Find the full rate-plan name and whether your generation comes from SCE or a community choice provider.
- Review interval usage, especially during the higher-priced window. Ask the proposal to show seasonal and weekend effects.
- Keep fixed charges, baseline adjustments and generation charges in the comparison. A single advertised cents-per-kWh number leaves too much out.
- Check eligibility before switching. SCE states that Solar Billing Plan customers must use TOU-D-PRIME. Existing NEM customers should check their own enrollment rules with SCE.
The utility tool is the place to compare tariffs. The calculator below compares bill and quote inputs you supply; it does not choose a tariff or simulate hourly solar production.
Does a CCA change the rate?
Yes. SCE's displayed bundled prices include its generation and delivery. A community choice customer pays the CCA for generation while SCE continues delivery and billing. Use both portions of the bill. SCE explains CCA billing here.
Will solar remove the Base Services Charge?
No. The Base Services Charge remains a separate bill item, including for solar customers. Assistance categories can change the charge. A proposal should identify your category instead of treating the entire bill as avoidable energy use.
Where solar and a battery fit
Ask for two separate estimates: electricity used directly while solar produces, and electricity shifted by a battery into a later hour. Keep export credits separate from the retail price of imported electricity. A useful proposal shows the remaining utility bill as well as the new solar payment.
Already have a quote? Enter its assumptions below. Still diagnosing the bill? Start with the SCE high-bill checklist, then compare net billing and battery options.
Check the numbers in your bill and quote
Start with your electricity bill. If you have a quote, add its system size, cash price and remaining utility bill. Leave unknown values blank. After changing values, calculate again to update the optional inquiry.
Want to discuss your solar options?
Send your project details to California Rate Relief. We collect the information for a solar referral; the provider confirms availability, design and price. The calculator and checklist are yours to use without submitting.