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Jan 10 2024
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10 questions to ask yourself before going solar

10 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Going Solar

By Solar Panels for Home, Solar Providers Near Me No Comments

Going solar can be a challenging process for homeowners — especially when speaking with different solar companies yields conflicting and confusing information. But when done right, the economic and environmental benefits of rooftop solar are more than worthwhile.

So we asked solar industry veteran Brian Lynch a simple question: What can homeowners do to set themselves up for a successful solar installation?

Lynch broke his answer into 10 questions that homeowners should ask themselves before signing a deal and also threw in some expert advice for answering those questions that he’s picked up over his 15+ years with major solar players like REC, LG, and ADT.

Whether you’re comparing quotes on the solar.com marketplace or seeking them out on your own, ask yourself the following questions before you sign a solar agreement.

10 questions about going solar

1. Do I know who I’m dealing with and can I trust them?

Rooftop solar is a major investment in lowering your electricity costs and carbon footprint, so it’s crucial to work with a reputable company that has a proven track record of excellent workmanship and customer service. Research the installer whether or not they are performing the sale.

As a baseline, they should have:

  • Strong customer reviews and consumer ratings
  • An established presence in your community
  • A robust workmanship warranty
  • Proof of licensing and insurance available upon request

Brian Lynch’s advice:

For a truly unbiased opinion, call the local inspector’s office and ask if they believe the contractor performs quality work.

2. Is the technology selected right for my project?

Not every solar panel, inverter, and battery is created equal. For example, certain panels and inverters are better suited for roofs with occasional shading than others. And if you’re relying on your solar system to reduce your electricity costs, it’s important to invest in the right technology.

Ask yourself the following question: Did the salesperson simply propose what they stock or did they select the right technology package for your specific application? Better yet, ask the salesperson why they chose the equipment they did.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

Research the equipment companies, their ratings, and whether they have US-based customer service – it might make all the difference in the world in a few years if something goes wrong.

Related reading: Best Solar Panels and Inverters Brands of 2024

3. What are my goals for going solar?

Successful solar projects begin with setting goals. Some homeowners want to zero out their utility bill, others want to reduce their environmental impact, and a growing number are motivated by backup power and energy independence. Honing in on one or two primary goals can help you and your advisor craft a custom solution to meet them.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

It’s okay to have several motivations for going solar, but narrow it down to one or two primary goals to guide your system design.

4. Does the proposal meet my goals of going solar?

Once you have goals in place, make sure the proposals you receive actually meet them. Every homeowner and every project is unique. Did the salesperson develop a custom proposal based on your feedback, utility usage, and goals for going solar? Or did they simply propose what the roof could fit?

Ask the salesperson or advisor how the equipment, design, and financing options were selected to help meet your goals.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

Dealing with an unbiased advisor or advocate versus a commissioned salesperson can make all the difference in the world.

 

 

5.   Am I thinking about solar the wrong way?

We’ve all seen the ads promising “free” solar. Simply put, there’s no such thing — and these misleading ads set unrealistic expectations for homeowners looking to lower their essential energy costs. Companies that rely on click-bait like “free solar” likely have no issues lying to you later in the process.

Going solar is a great way to lower and flatten your essential electricity costs over time. But if the numbers sound too good to be true, they almost certainly are.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

The best way to identify and avoid solar scams is to get multiple quotes from reputable installers. This will give you a sense of fair pricing in your market and expose outliers that are too good to be true.

free solar panels home depot

6. Am I economically enabling illegal activities?

Sounds crazy, but there’s a dark side of solar. Reports have been issued by Universities that expose forced labor practices in the upstream supply chain of some solar companies and there have been many investigations into illegal trade practices.

While the US is combatting forced labor in the solar supply chain with tariffs and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in 2021, there are still panel manufacturers trying to circumvent these safeguards.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

The best way to avoid enabling unethical practices is to work with reputable companies that don’t have Chinese ownership ties.

7. Cash, loan, or lease?

Again, there’s no right or wrong answer here as everyone has different financial circumstances and goals. But there are pros and cons to all of the buying panels (with a loan or cash) and leasing them.

In general:

  • Financing with a solar loan provides more immediate savings by replacing your monthly electric bill with lower payments on your panels
  • Paying cash provides greater long-term savings since you can avoid interest charges
  • Solar leases can provide immediate energy cost savings, but are typically less lucrative than ownership in the long term and come with a unique set of complications.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

Discuss and simulate several finance options with an unbiased advisor to craft a payment plan that best meets your goals.

 

 

8. To store or not to store?

Investing in energy storage – aka solar batteries – along with your solar array is a great way to “future proof” your solar investment. Battery storage provides energy security and allows you to use your electricity when it’s best for you. But, it comes with a substantial cost, and understanding whether an energy storage system is right for you is worth exploring.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

Consider the long-term economics. Battery storage costs substantially less when it is installed at the same time as solar panels than if it’s added to a solar system retroactively.

 

 

9. Do I have trust?

Do you trust what you’ve been told? Do you trust the equipment? Do you trust the installer? Do you trust that this is the right system for you?

If the answer to these questions is yes – then solar is amazing. If the answer is no to one or more of them, find a partner that will build and earn your trust.

Brian Lynch’s advice:

With today’s solar systems expected to last 25+ years, installing solar means entering a long-term relationship with your installation company and equipment manufacturers. Trust your project to an installer you trust will be around to promptly service your system and help you file warranty claims if issues should arise.

10. Am I confident in my decision to go solar?

Solar shouldn’t be high-pressure gimmicky sales with three-card monte discounting. Solar should be thoroughly explained, researched, and priced in a fair and consultative manner. If you’re confident in your decision to go solar then congratulations – you’ve made a fantastic decision. If not, take the time to evaluate your options

Brian Lynch’s advice:

Take the time to fully understand, consider, and establish confidence in your decision to go solar. Don’t let a salesperson rush your decision.

 

At solar.com, we believe successful solar projects start with education. Team up with an Energy Advisor to discuss your energy goals and explore solar and battery solutions!

Jan 09 2024
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ladwp electric rates

Understanding LADWP Electric Rates In 2025

By The Pros and Cons of Rooftop Solar in 2026, Time of Use Rates - Your TOU Rates Guide No Comments

With electricity prices on the rise and extreme weather events increasing the need for electricity, understanding how your electric rates work is crucial to lowering your electricity costs.

Homeowners serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) have two residential rate schedules to choose from, with electric rates ranging from 22 cents to 37 cents per kWh in 2025.

In this article, we’ll explore:

Let’s start with the standard rate schedule and then see how time-of-use rates compare.

If you’re unhappy with your electricity bill, connect with an Energy Advisor to design a solar system to reduce your energy costs.

LADWP Standard Residential Rates (R-1A) in 2025

The R-1A plan is a tiered rate schedule in which electricity charges vary based on your consumption throughout the billing period. It’s important to note that LADWP bills on a bi-monthly basis, so each billing period is two months.

The idea behind tiered rates is that everyone is allotted a certain amount of electricity at a low price for essential needs like lighting, internet, refrigeration, and climate control. But the more electricity you use, the more expensive it gets, especially in the summer.

LADWP’s R-1A rates are divided into three tiers, with the cheapest electricity in Tier 1 and the most expensive in Tier 3. In April-May of 2025, rates range from 23 cents in Tier 1 to nearly 29 cents in Tiers 2 & 3 — that’s a 12-15% increase from the same period last year.

LADWP standard electric rate increases 2025

Rate Tier April-May 2024 (c/kWh) April-May 2025 (c/kWh) % increase
Tier 1 19.7 22.8 15.7%
Tier 2 25.5 28.6 12.2%
Tier 3 25.5 28.6 12.2%

Each tier has an allotted amount of electricity based on your temperature zone, shown in the map below. Zone 1 represents cooler coastal areas and therefore has less usage allotted for each tier. Zone 2 represents hotter inland areas and therefore has more usage allotted for each tier.

Map of LADWP temperature zones for standard electric rates

LADWP Rate Tiers (based on bi-monthly consumption)

Zone 1 Zone 2
Tier 1 First 700 kWh First 1,000 kWh
Tier 2 Next 1,400 kWh Next 2,000 kWh
Tier 3 Above 2,100 kWh Above 3,000 kWh

Bi-monthly tiers as of May 2025. Subject to change.

The average daily electricity consumption in California is 18 kWh, which would be 1,080 kWh over a 60-day billing period. So, in a typical month, customers can expect to consume all of their Tier 1 electricity and dip into Tier 2.

However, consumption is typically much higher in the summer as warmer temperatures and heat waves increase the need for air conditioning.

Running central A/C for 12 hours could add more than 2,000 kWh to your bi-monthly consumption. So, AC usage alone can put LADWP customers into Tier 3 rates, which are over 37 cents per kWh in June 2025.

LADWP Tiered Rates – June 2025

June 2024 June 2025
Tier 1 19.6 22.8
Tier 2 25.5 28.6
Tier 3 34.2 37.3

Based on rates posted by LADWP as of May 2025.

Under LADWP’s Standard Residential Rate schedule, the name of the game is simply to use as little electricity as possible to avoid buying it at Tier 2 and Tier 3 rates. But, for many people, this is easier said than done. Households with higher consumption and the ability to control when they use that electricity may benefit from LADWP’s Time-of-Use (TOU) rates.

 

 

 

LADWP’s Time-of-Use Residential Rate (R1-B) in 2025

Under LADWP’s R1-B plan, your rates vary by time of day instead of how much electricity you use during the billing cycle. These rates also change by season, with substantially higher rates in summer than fall, winter, and spring.

In June 2025, LADWP TOU rates range from 23 cents to 31 cents per kWh during peak hours and are 11-16% higher than at the same time last year. The R-1B plan comes with a $12 per month service charge, and the TOU rate schedule is divided into three periods, as shown below.

TOU Period Hours Days of week
Base 8 pm to 9:59 am & all day Saturday and Sunday Weekdays and Weekends
Low Peak 10 am to 12:59 pm & 5 pm to 7:59 pm Weekdays
High Peak 1 pm to 4:59 pm Weekdays

For homeowners, the value of TOU rates is the opportunity to save money by shifting some of their usage from High Peak hours to Base and Low Peak hours. This load shift from peak to off-peak periods helps grid operators — like LADWP — maintain reliable service during high-demand events, namely heat waves, when everyone is running their AC at the same time.

What is the cheapest time of day to use electricity at LADWP?

The cheapest time of day to use electricity for LADWP TOU customers is between 8 pm and 9 am during the weekdays and any time during the weekends. This is known as the Base Period, when electricity is 11-40% cheaper than the Low Peak and High Peak periods.

This is the ideal time to run large electricity loads like air conditioning, electric heat, and EV charging. In fact, LADWP offers a discount for customers who charge their EV during Base hours.

LADWP EV charging rates

LADWP customers with EV chargers installed in their homes can receive a $0.025 rate discount for charging their EV during Base Period hours, according to LADWP. However, there are a few things to note about this discount:

  • Your EV charger must be on a separate meter from your main meter
  • The EV meter must be on a TOU rate
  • There is a minimum monthly charge of $10 plus adjustment charges

So, in order to break even on the $10 monthly charge, you’d need to charge your EV with at least 400 kWh of electricity per month during base hours to break even. With an EV getting 3.5 miles per kWh, that means driving at least 47 miles per day (10 more miles per day than the national average).

So, if you have an especially long commute or a bunch of kids to chauffeur around, setting up a separate meter to get the EV charging discount can be worthwhile. However, if you don’t travel very far then you may want to go solar to reduce the cost of charging your EV.

LADWP rates and home solar

LADWP offers net metering for customers who own solar systems (it does not apply to leases and power purchase agreements). Under net metering, solar owners are compensated at near-retail rates for the excess electricity their systems push onto the electricity grid during the day.

So, a home solar system designed to offset 100% of your electricity use can also offset up to 100% of your LADWP bill, aside from fixed basic charges.

According to LADWP’s website, “the customer shall be billed for the net energy supplied under the customer’s currently applicable rate,” which seems to imply that solar owners can use either rate plan (Standard or TOU).

This is a stark contrast to NEM 3.0 solar billing adopted by California’s investor-owned utilities (IOU) in April 2023, in which solar owners are compensated well below retail rates for their excess production. This makes it virtually impossible to achieve a 100% bill offset with a solar-only system, although it may be achieved by pairing solar with battery storage.

 

 

LADWP electric rate increase history

As with all utilities – public or private – electricity rates tend to go up over time, and LADWP is no exception. The big question is how fast are rates rising?

From 2019 to 2024, LADWPs Tier 1 rates increased by ~3.7% per year, on average. In 2025, they jumped 11%.

What does that mean?

  • Zone 1: You’ll pay an additional $97 per year for your Tier 1 usage
  • Zone 2: You’ll pay $138 more per year for your Tier 1 usage.

LADWP TOUs rates have also been on a steady upward march, with base rates increasing ~4% per year from 2019-2024, and jumping 11% in 2025.

In 2025, a TOU customer using 700 kWh per month during Base Hours only would pay $185 more per year than they did in 2024.

Lower your electricity costs with home solar

Electricity is an essential good and something most people are going to pay for one way or another throughout their lives. While LADWP offers relatively low electric rates and a TOU rate plan with High Peak pricing that’s easy to avoid, grid electricity is still incredibly expensive compared to home solar.

Better yet, as a public utility, LADWP still offers net metering to its customers instead of the less favorable NEM 3.0 solar billing policy adopted by the IOUs in April 2023.

Connect with an Energy Advisor to see how far you can reduce your electricity costs with home solar.

 

FAQs

What are the peak hours for LADWP electric rates?

High Peak hours in LADWP’s TOU rate plan are 1 pm to 4:59 pm, when electricity is around 40% higher than Base hours and 25% higher than Low Peak hours.

For example, in June 2025, High Peak rates are over 31 cents per kWh for time-of-use customers while Base Rates are 23 cents per kWh.

Fortunately, LADWP’s outdated High Peak window is rather early in the day, when many people are still at work or school.

What is the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 energy in LADWP?

The difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 energy in LADWP is the cost per kWh for electricity. For example, in June 2025, the cost of Tier 1 electricity is 23per kWh while the cost of Tier 2 electricity is 29 cents per kWh. These rates change throughout the season and peak in the summer months of July-September.

The tiers are based on household electricity consumption and temperature zones. For example, if you live in Zone 1, your first 700 kWh per bi-monthly billing cycle are charged at Tier 1 rates and your next 1,400 kWh are charged at Tier 2 rates.

If you surpass your Tier 1 and Tier 2 allotments (2,100 kWh for Zone 1) you are then charged Tier 3 rates, which are over 37 cents per kWh in June 2025.

How much does LADWP charge per kWh?

As of June 2025, LADWP charges between 20 and 37 cents per kWh of electricity, depending on your rate schedule. Electricity rates typically increase in the summer, with Tier 3 rates higher than 37 cents per kWh in June 2025.

For reference, the average utility rate in the US is around 17 cents per kWh.