Solar Savings in Irvine, California: How Much Can You Save?

How Much Can You Save in Irvine?

Irvine homeowners on Southern California Edison pay an average of $220/month at 34.5¢/kWh (Tier 1) and 42.0¢/kWh (Tier 2). With 5.2 peak sun hours per day, a properly sized system can offset 80-90% of your usage — cutting the average bill from $220 to ~$0/month.

What Drives Savings in Irvine?

• Southern California Edison rate structure: At 42.0¢/kWh for Tier 2, every kWh your panels produce offsets your most expensive grid usage first — that is where the math gets compelling.
• 5.2 peak sun hours: Solid sun exposure for reliable year-round production.
• NEM 3.0 (since April 2023): Export credits are now ~~$0.08/kWh (significantly lower than NEM 2.0), so self-consumption matters most. Size your system for your daytime usage, not maximum export.
• Rate escalation: Southern California Edison rates have increased 71% (2014-2024). Each year you wait, your baseline bill grows — making the solar investment more valuable in hindsight.