Facing High Southern California Edison Bills in Barstow?
Electricity costs in the Mojave Desert are a major household expense, especially with summer air conditioning running constantly. For homeowners considering solar in 2026, the challenge isn't just generating power—it's maximizing its value. Under current Southern California Edison (SCE) rules, the electricity you send back to the grid is worth significantly less than the power you buy. This changes the math and makes understanding your options critical.
Run your scenario: the calculator uses this city’s utility and tariff data.
Open calculatorBenchmark Cost Analysis
2026 Solar & Battery System Costs in Barstow
The total cost for a professionally installed solar system depends on whether you include a battery for energy storage. Here are the modeled estimates for a typical Barstow home based on a 6.4 kW system designed to offset a $291 monthly bill.
- Solar Panels Only: A 6.4 kW system has an estimated gross cost of $16,320.
- Solar Panels + 10 kWh Battery: Adding a battery increases the estimated gross cost to $31,320. This system is designed to store daytime energy for use at night, which is key for savings under SCE's current tariff structure.
These figures are pre-incentive estimates. California offers a valuable property tax exclusion for solar installations, which helps improve the long-term financial picture.
Incentives & Tax Credits
Key California Solar Incentives for 2026
While the 30% federal tax credit for homeowners is no longer available for systems installed in 2026, California provides other meaningful financial benefits that make solar a strong investment.
- Property Tax Exclusion: In California, adding a solar system will not increase your property taxes. This exclusion on the added home value from your panels is a significant, guaranteed benefit for homeowners.
- High Electricity Rates: SCE's high retail rates are, in effect, a powerful incentive. Every kilowatt-hour of solar energy you use at home is a kilowatt-hour you don't have to buy from the utility at rates of $0.32/kWh or more.
These state-level policies support the financial case for solar by reducing long-term costs and maximizing the value of the energy you produce.
Net Metering: Southern California Edison Co
Net Billing (low export)
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Understanding Export Rates with Southern California Edison
The way you get paid for extra solar power has changed. Under SCE's net billing tariff, the credit you receive for electricity sent to the grid is much lower than the retail price you pay for electricity. In this area, the export credit is modeled at around $0.11 per kWh, while buying that same kWh back from SCE costs over $0.32.
This is why a battery is highly recommended. Instead of exporting your valuable solar energy for low credits, you can store it in a battery and use it during the evening. This strategy directly increases your savings by maximizing self-consumption and minimizing how much expensive power you need to purchase from the grid.
Projected Savings
How Solar Savings Work with and without a Battery
With SCE's net billing program, using your own solar power directly (self-consumption) provides the most value. Adding a battery dramatically increases your ability to do this.
- A solar-only system is modeled to save approximately $2,216 annually, with an estimated payback period of 6.8 years. It offsets power during the day, but you still have to buy expensive grid power at night.
- A solar and battery system boosts those savings significantly, with a modeled annual savings of $3,308. While the upfront cost is higher, the payback period is still an attractive 7.9 years because you avoid buying high-cost evening power from SCE.
Over time, the value of rooftop generation can grow, especially if grid electricity rates from SCE continue to rise. An owned solar system can also be a strong selling point for future homebuyers looking to avoid high energy bills.