High electricity bills from Southern California Edison are a familiar problem for Bellflower homeowners. While going solar is a powerful way to lower those costs, the rules have changed. In 2026, simply sending excess solar power to the grid doesn't provide the same value it once did. To get the most financial benefit, you need to use as much of your own solar energy as possible, which is why pairing solar panels with a home battery is becoming the standard for maximum savings.
Skip ahead to a personalized savings estimate for your home.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery Costs in Bellflower
Here are the modeled costs for a typical system designed to offset an average local electricity bill. These figures reflect the price after any available state or utility credits, but without the federal tax credit, which is no longer available for systems installed in 2026.
- Solar-Only System (7.2 kW): The estimated gross cost is around $18,360.
- Solar + Battery System (7.2 kW panels, 10 kWh battery): The estimated combined cost is around $33,360.
An owned solar system can also be a valuable long-term feature, potentially improving your home's resale appeal to future buyers looking for energy independence.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives for 2026
While the 30% federal residential solar tax credit has concluded for systems installed in 2026, California still offers a key financial benefit:
- Property Tax Exclusion: In California, installing a solar system will not increase your property taxes. The added value of the solar panels is excluded from your home's valuation for tax purposes, a benefit that runs through at least mid-2026.
The primary financial driver for solar in Bellflower is now direct bill savings and smart self-consumption of the power you generate, rather than tax incentives.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
Recommended 🔋
How Solar Grid Compensation Works with SCE
Under California's net billing tariff, the value of solar energy has two parts. The most valuable energy is the power you generate and use directly in your home, which offsets electricity you would have bought from SCE at a high retail rate (around $0.32 per kWh).
Any excess power you export to the grid is credited at a much lower rate, modeled here at around $0.11 per kWh. This difference is why storing your extra daytime solar power in a battery for evening use is so effective. Instead of selling your excess energy for a low credit, you use it yourself to avoid buying expensive grid power later.
Projected Savings
Modeled Electricity Bill Savings
A solar and battery system dramatically increases your savings by storing free solar energy generated during the day for you to use at night. This strategy helps you avoid buying expensive evening power from SCE. The difference in savings is significant:
- With a solar-only system, you could see an estimated annual savings of $2,216, leading to a payback period of about 7.6 years.
- Adding a battery storage system boosts those estimated annual savings to $3,308, with a payback period of around 8.3 years.
While the upfront cost is higher, the battery delivers over $1,000 in additional savings each year, offering greater protection against future SCE rate hikes and providing valuable backup power during outages.