With Southern California Edison (SCE) electricity rates around $0.323/kWh, many San Dimas homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their monthly bills, which often average over $290. But in 2026, the value of going solar depends heavily on how you use the energy you generate. Sending excess power back to the grid no longer offers the 1-to-1 credit it once did, making on-site storage a critical part of the financial equation.
Get a quick estimate tied to local rates and sun hours.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery Costs in San Dimas
Here are modeled cost estimates for a typical home in San Dimas. These figures reflect the market after the phase-out of the federal residential solar tax credit, focusing on the direct investment and local savings.
- Solar Panels Only (7.1 kW System): The estimated gross cost is around $18,105. This system is sized to cover a significant portion of a typical household's electricity usage.
- Solar Panels + Battery (7.1 kW System with 10 kWh Storage): Adding a battery increases the total estimated cost to $33,105. While the upfront investment is higher, the battery is designed to dramatically increase the value you get from your solar energy.
An owned solar system can also be a significant long-term feature, potentially supporting your home's resale appeal to future buyers looking for energy independence.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives in 2026
While the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar installations is no longer available for systems placed in service in 2026, California homeowners still have access to important financial benefits:
- Property Tax Exclusion: In California, installing a solar panel system does not increase your property taxes. This exclusion on the added home value from your solar installation is a significant, long-term financial benefit.
- High Rate Offset: The primary financial driver for solar is offsetting SCE's high electricity rates. Every kilowatt-hour you generate and use at home is one you don't have to buy from the utility.
There are no state tax credits or direct utility rebates factored into this 2026 analysis; the savings come directly from reducing your monthly bill.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Net Billing in San Dimas
For SCE customers, the solar program is a “net billing” tariff, not the old net metering. The distinction is crucial for your savings. You get the most value by using your solar power as it's generated or storing it in a battery for later. Exporting surplus energy to the grid provides some credit, but it's far less than the retail price of electricity. This structure is why pairing solar with a battery is now the recommended path for maximizing your return on investment and achieving greater energy independence.
Projected Savings
How a Battery Maximizes Your Savings with SCE
Under current net billing rules, the electricity you use directly from your panels is worth the full retail rate you'd otherwise pay SCE—around $0.323 per kWh. However, any surplus power you export to the grid is credited at a much lower rate, modeled here at just $0.113 per kWh.
This difference is where a battery proves its worth.
- Without a battery, a 7.1 kW solar system might save you an estimated $2,216 annually, with a payback period of about 7.5 years.
- By adding a 10 kWh battery, you can store your excess daytime solar energy and use it during the evening when the sun isn't shining. This maximizes self-consumption, allowing you to offset more of that expensive grid power. The result is a significant boost in savings to an estimated $3,308 annually. The payback period is slightly longer at 8.3 years, but the long-term financial return is much stronger.
Protecting your budget against future SCE rate hikes is another key benefit. As grid electricity becomes more expensive, the power your system generates becomes even more valuable.