Is going solar in Claremont still a smart financial move in 2026? With high electricity rates from Southern California Edison (SCE) and major changes to how solar owners are compensated, it's a fair question. The answer is yes, but the strategy has shifted. Under SCE's Net Billing Tariff, the most effective way to save money is by using as much of your own solar power as possible, which makes pairing solar panels with a battery a powerful combination for controlling your energy costs.
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Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
Estimated Solar Costs in Claremont for 2026
The figures below represent modeled pricing for a system designed to offset a typical Claremont household's electricity usage. These costs reflect the market after the expiration of the main federal tax credit for homeowners.
- Solar-Only System (7.1 kW): The estimated upfront cost is $18,105. This system will significantly reduce your reliance on SCE during daylight hours.
- Solar + Battery System (7.1 kW panels with a 10 kWh battery): The combined system is estimated at $33,105. The battery stores your excess solar energy, allowing you to power your home after the sun goes down and avoid SCE's expensive peak rates.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Key California Solar Benefit: Property Tax Exclusion
Even without a federal tax credit in 2026, California provides a crucial financial benefit for solar owners. The state's property tax exclusion for active solar systems means your property taxes will not go up because of the value your solar panels add to your home. This incentive is a significant advantage, ensuring the financial benefits of your system aren't diminished by a higher tax bill.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Navigating SCE's Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0)
Under SCE's current rules, there's a major difference between the price you pay for electricity and the credit you get for exporting it. You might buy power from SCE for $0.32/kWh, but any surplus solar energy you send to the grid may only earn you a credit of around $0.11/kWh. This structure makes it financially unwise to export large amounts of solar power.
The solution is to use or store every kilowatt-hour you generate. A battery makes this possible by capturing your excess daytime solar production. You can then use that stored energy to power your home during the evening, which is when SCE's rates are often highest.
Projected Savings
How Much Can You Actually Save on Your SCE Bill?
The savings from solar are directly tied to how much expensive SCE power you can avoid buying. A battery dramatically improves this by letting you store cheap, self-generated power instead of selling it to the grid for pennies on the dollar.
- A solar-only system is modeled to save a Claremont homeowner around $2,216 per year, leading to a payback period of about 7.5 years.
- By adding a 10 kWh battery, the estimated annual savings jump to $3,308. This configuration has a slightly longer payback of 8.3 years but delivers over $1,000 in additional savings each year, protecting you more effectively from future SCE rate increases.
An owned solar system can also be an attractive feature for potential buyers, potentially supporting your home's resale value in the competitive Los Angeles County market.