San Diego Residents Expected to Pay a 28% Increase in Electricity by 2023

Over the last few years, there has been a steady surge in costs for San Diego Gas & Electric customers, with the biggest year-over-year increase taking place this year at a near 11% jump. According to SDG&E, the average customer is estimated to pay an additional $13.99 per month, with an expected slight increase continuing over the next 4 years, resulting in a total increase of about 28%.

SDG&E customers have been voicing their dissatisfaction about the situation, especially since rates have been markedly higher than other utility companies in the San Diego area. To make matters worse, the record heat in San Diego has even caused customers to find that their rates have gone up 80.7% since January 2014.

SDG&E is comprised of a smaller customer base, including mostly residential and small-business customers, meaning the overall cost of their projects is divided amongst a smaller population. On top of that, new provisions put into place by the Building Standards Commission state that all new California homes built after 2020 are required to be solar-powered. Moreover, state policy makers are focusing their attention on finding more renewable energy sources. In fact, according to Rob Nikolewski from The San Diego Union-Tribune, they will “require 60 percent of the state’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2030 and set a goal to derive 100 percent from clean-energy by 2045.” These significant changes in the coming years certainly forecast an ever-eroding customer base for traditional utility companies which doesn’t bode well for customers longing for a decrease in costs.

Alternative, Money-Saving, Options

California has been the national leader in putting forth energy-efficient practices and aims to be for the foreseeable future. With more and more households installing residential solar panels on their rooftops, homeowners are finding such eco-friendly choices that can lead to saving thousands of dollars off utility bills over time, increase home property value, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It’s easy to see why the benefits of investing in solar energy add up and make it worthwhile to go green in the long run.

Ivan Pinzon, San Diego Energy Consultant at Solar Optimum, says, “With SDG&E rate increases steadily happening and no signs of slowing down in the near future, right now is an opportune moment for families to take control of how they get their power. Utility rates are at an all-time high, Federal tax incentives are at their highest level of 30% and new homes being mandated to have a solar system that takes effect in 2020, makes solar a great investment for families right now and in the future.”

With the cost of electric utilities rising, Solar Optimum is the most reliable option to secure energy savings and improve cash flow, on top of providing the eco-friendly benefits which are not available through traditional electric options. For more information on how to lower your electricity bill and for a free, no-obligation quote, call (619) 415-0003.