Understanding SDG&E rates

[markb1]

Although I think that link hasn't been updated with the latest rates that are effective July 1st (from the links in my first post). But it's not far off. Here's the part I was missing:

http://regarchive.sdge.com/tm2/pdf/E...CHEDS_EECC.pdf

This accounts for the generation part of bill.

[markb1]

I live in San Diego and have had my roadster for a bit over two years now.

The TOU rates combined with solar and EV's are not the great deal I had thought. I have a 5.2kW system (enough for 100% offset including EV on an annualized basis). On the non-TOU rate, I banked kWh during the day to use them up in the evenings on a 1:1 basis. When I switched to TOU earlier this year, I learned that kWh which are banked are only banked based on the electricity cost (adjusted for TOU) while the distribution cost is seperately itemized and not credited when you generate surplus solar power. So even though ~1/2 of my power consumption was super-off-peak, i am only slightly better using TOU. YMMV...
//dan.

Would it be possible for you (or anyone else with Solar and EV-TOU/EV-TOU2) to share your statement so I can see how this works? I called up SDG&E and talked to their solar/TOU department, and not even they can explain it clearly, so I think the only way I'm going to be able to understand it is by looking at a bill. Thanks!

[wycolo]

> I sell LADWP power at the most expensive rate from 1-5pm and buy it back at night to charge the car at the least expensive rate. [DrComputer]

In WY I can only sell power to the electric coop at the wholesale rate that the coop pays to their power source, i.e. only 2 cents per kwh NOT 11 cents per kwh. Kinda takes the wind out of these sails, so to speak. But they only do the arithmetic in Jan, so by then you would have been ecstatic for x months looking at your bill & seeing 11 cents in vs 11 cents out. To me this is not worth the extra cost of shutoffs & other interconnection requirements just to get 2 cents/kwh. It would only be worth it if there is no cheaper way for an off-grid system with no batts to dump excess generation. I'm thinking of dumping to water/space heaters. Maybe there is no need to dump anything; that the panels can just sit there in the bright sun without producing & without damage. More study needed- I'm clueless.

Also from what the PSC told me if I still had the old fashioned type of meter and was 'turning it backwards' whenever my generation exceeded my usage, the coop would never realise that I had a solar system at all. Thus one of the incentives for them to replace all meters with shiny new 'remote reading' meters. Bet they didn't tout this additional benefit when they made the replacements. The new meters can detect the synch negotiations going on when your inverter begins to pump into the grid, and somehow keeps track of both generators. I do not understand this at all, just what the PSC guy seemed to be saying.
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[mcornwell]

Sorry, still on regular tiered pricing. My gut tells me that because of SDGE's not very good off-peak rates, that TOU might only provide a small advantage, and isn't worth the inconvenience of worrying about when we should charge our cars. If the buy back rate for generation during peak times was better, things would be different.

BTW, good seeing you at the store opening on Thursday...

[markb1]

Good to see, too!

I've got my entire hourly usage data for the last year in a spreadsheet, along with estimated hourly solar production, and estimated charging consumption for my car. So as soon as I understand the rate plans, I will have a really good idea of what I would be paying SDG&E under each plan. Unfortunately, getting a complete understanding of how these TOU plans work with solar has been difficult. Sometimes I get the feeling that they don't want me to understand.

[markb1]

Well, finally got a call back from SDG&E, and I'm still no closer to understanding this. What the SDG&E representative told me directly contradicts the explanation of DR-SES that's at sdge.com. (There's no explanation on the website of how EV-TOU2 works with solar.)

So, I reiterate my request: If you have solar and EV-TOU2, can you please let me see your bill? Same if you have DR-SES. I'll owe you a beer.

[ggr]

Well, finally got a call back from SDG&E, and I'm still no closer to understanding this. What the SDG&E representative told me directly contradicts the explanation of DR-SES that's at sdge.com. (There's no explanation on the website of how EV-TOU2 works with solar.)

So, I reiterate my request: If you have solar and EV-TOU2, can you please let me see your bill? Same if you have DR-SES. I'll owe you a beer.

We have some such bills (EV-TOU2 and solar). PM me and we can share. Honestly, I can't figure them out.

[mcornwell]

Mark, I know Jason has solar at his house, but I'm not sure if he is on TOU.

[dadaleus]

Open the Green Button program already installed on your computer
Here is the window .exe program (runs in Parallels on Mac as well): Attachment 7247

Link to site if you want to imput data via the cloud and don't want to install program onto your computer:

EcoDog's Green Button Calculator - Welcome


Link to site that has other 3rd party "Green Button" programs; the EcoDog is free and no subscription, there may be others out there now as well:
Green Button Support

Hmm... finally got around to this, but the web app seems broken. I get to the drop down to pick your utility, but there are no choices. I'll email them.

I also can't download from the link you posted above--the TMC software says it's an invalid link.

markb1, sorry, didn't see this until now. PM me if you still want any info on my bills. But considering this is 8 months old I'm guessing you have it all figured out by now.

- - - Updated - - -

Got the EXE working actually. Awesome app. Highly recommended for anyone on SDG&E.

http://www.ecodoginc.com/SDGE_GB_Download.htm

[johnmodels]

I'm not sure if anyone can help because it seems like many of us have the same questions... I have a MS 85KW and a 6.3 KW solar system. Solar produces about 80% of energy used, not incl. car charging. My pool and MS use the majority of the power unless AC is needed. I just signed up for TOU-2 which starts tomorrow, the new billing cycle. My plan now is to time the charging of the MS and the pool circulation to 12 am - 5 am the super off peak hours. That will be at about $.14/ kw. My question is how much will I be credited for the energy I'm generating and not using during the peak hours during the day? If its some crappy number like $.04/kw, then I should keep the pool running during the middle of the day to offset the power generated by solar. I remember hearing that the power credited in peak hours and used during off peak hours is 2 kw to every 1 we generate. Any thoughts???

John