High electricity rates from Southern California Edison are a major concern for homeowners in La Puente, especially with rising costs. While rooftop solar is a powerful way to offset these expenses, the rules have changed. Under California's net billing structure, the credit you receive for sending surplus power to the grid is much lower than the price you pay for electricity. This shift makes understanding how to use your solar energy the most important part of the equation.
From rates to ROI—continue in the savings calculator.
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2026 Solar & Battery Costs in La Puente
Based on local data, here are the estimated costs for a typical owned solar installation. Since the 30% federal tax credit for homeowners is no longer available for systems installed in 2026, these figures represent the full upfront investment.
- Solar-Only System (7.2 kW): A system of this size, designed to offset a significant portion of a typical local bill, has an estimated gross cost of $18,360.
- Solar + Battery System (7.2 kW solar with 10 kWh battery): Adding a home battery for energy storage increases the total estimated cost to $33,360. While the upfront cost is higher, a battery is recommended to maximize the value of your solar production.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives for 2026
While the major federal tax credit has expired for new residential systems, California still offers a key financial benefit for homeowners going solar.
- Property Tax Exclusion: Installing a solar system in California will not increase your property taxes. The added value of your solar installation is excluded from your home's valuation for tax purposes, a benefit that continues through at least mid-2026.
This state-level incentive, combined with the direct bill savings, helps support the financial case for solar. An owned solar system can also be an attractive feature for potential buyers, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal down the line.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Export Rates with Southern California Edison (SCE)
La Puente is in SCE territory, which operates under California's Net Billing Tariff. This system is different from older net metering programs. Instead of a one-to-one credit for exported energy, you receive a lower, variable rate based on the wholesale value of electricity. Because this export credit is significantly less than the retail rate, the most effective strategy is to use as much of your own solar power as possible. A home battery is the best tool for achieving this, allowing you to store daytime solar energy for use at night.
Projected Savings
How Solar Delivers Savings with a Battery
With SCE's retail electricity rate at around $0.32 per kWh and export credits modeled at just $0.11 per kWh, sending power back to the grid provides limited value. This is where a battery becomes essential. Instead of selling your extra solar energy for a low price, you store it in the battery and use it during the evening when you would otherwise have to buy expensive power from SCE. This self-consumption strategy is key to greater savings.
- A solar-only system is modeled to save approximately $2,216 annually, with an estimated payback period of 7.6 years.
- A solar and battery system boosts those savings significantly to around $3,308 annually. The payback period is slightly longer at 8.3 years, but the long-term financial benefit is greater due to improved energy independence.
These savings can become even more valuable if grid electricity rates continue to rise, making your self-generated power a powerful hedge against future utility costs.