Plug-in solar on San Diego Gas & Electric

The rates

Rates change. Check your bill — this is orientation, not a quote.

That average rate is roughly a third higher than SCE's and more than double the US average. It's the single most important fact about solar economics in San Diego County and south Orange County: every kilowatt-hour you don't buy is worth substantially more here.

What a kit saves on SDG&E

Estimated using NREL irradiance data for coastal southern California and a 45.7-cent blended rate. Full working.

Payback on a well-placed 800-watt kit here is comfortably under three years, and often closer to two.

Where SDG&E's territory is

All of San Diego County, plus south Orange County: San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and parts of Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Laguna Hills. The boundary with SCE runs roughly along La Paz Road, Laguna Hills Drive and Crown Valley Parkway, and it follows historic service territory rather than city limits — so check the bill rather than the map if you're near it.

Some customers also see a Community Choice Aggregator on the bill, such as San Diego Community Power or the Clean Energy Alliance. That changes the generation charge, not the mechanics.

SDG&E's position

SDG&E opposed SB 868, alongside SCE and other utilities. Once the bill is in force it will be barred from charging fees or requiring approval, and may only require simple registration.

SDG&E had published no registration process or customer guidance as of 1 September 2026.

The coastal caveat

Coastal San Diego and south Orange County get marine layer through late spring and early summer — the local name for it is May Gray and June Gloom, and it's not a joke about the weather, it's a measurable production loss. Morning cloud burns off by early afternoon on many days in those months.

Practically: a west-facing panel handles this better than an east-facing one, because it's producing after the layer clears. Our model uses typical meteorological year data, which already includes it, but if you're within a mile or two of the water, treat our figures as slightly optimistic.

Work out your savings → · SCE · PG&E