For homeowners in Stanton, high electricity bills from Southern California Edison are a familiar reality. With rates around 32¢ per kilowatt-hour, a typical monthly bill can easily reach $290. Rooftop solar offers a path to reduce that cost, but the rules for getting paid for exported energy have changed. In 2026, the key to maximizing solar's value is not just generating power, but using as much of it as you can yourself.
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Solar & Battery System Costs in Stanton (2026)
The cost of going solar depends on whether you include a home battery. Here are the modeled estimates for a system designed to offset the average local electricity bill.
- 7.2 kW Solar-Only System: The estimated gross cost is $18,360. This system is sized to cover the typical energy consumption of a Stanton home.
- 7.2 kW Solar System + 10 kWh Battery: The estimated gross cost is $33,360. Adding a battery increases the upfront cost but significantly improves your ability to use your own solar power after the sun sets, maximizing savings under current utility rules.
These figures represent the total cost before any local incentives. Since the primary federal tax credit for homeowners is no longer available for systems installed in 2026, understanding the long-term value is more important than ever.
Incentives & Tax Credits
California Solar Incentives for 2026
While the 30% federal ITC for homeowners has ended, California still offers a significant financial benefit that makes going solar more attractive. The primary incentive remaining for Stanton residents is the state's property tax exclusion.
Active Solar System Property Tax Exclusion: When you install a solar system, the value of your home increases. Normally, this would trigger a higher property tax bill. However, California law excludes the added value of a qualifying solar system from your property tax assessment. This means you get the benefit of a more valuable home without the extra tax burden. An owned solar system can also be a strong feature when it comes time to sell your home, adding to its long-term appeal.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Export Rates vs. Retail Rates
Under Southern California Edison's current rules, known as Net Billing Tariff (NBT), the value of electricity you send back to the grid is much lower than the price you pay to buy it. You might pay SCE over 32¢ for a kilowatt-hour of electricity, but they may only credit you around 11¢ for the excess solar energy you export.
This difference is why a battery is highly recommended. Instead of selling your extra solar power for a low price during the day, a battery stores it. In the evening, when your panels aren't producing, you can use that stored energy instead of buying expensive power from SCE. This self-consumption strategy is the most effective way to maximize your solar investment in California today.
Projected Savings
How Solar Reduces Your Southern California Edison Bill
High retail electricity rates make every kilowatt-hour you generate and use at home incredibly valuable. With solar, you avoid buying that expensive power from the grid. If grid electricity from SCE becomes more expensive over time, your rooftop generation effectively becomes a better and better deal each year.
- A solar-only system is modeled to save approximately $2,216 annually, with a payback period of about 7.6 years.
- A solar and battery system increases those savings to $3,308 annually. While the payback period is slightly longer at 8.3 years, the system saves over $1,000 more each year by storing solar energy for evening use. This strategy directly counters the low export rates offered by the utility.