APS vs SRP Solar: Which Utility Is Better in 2026?
The most common question from Phoenix-area homeowners going solar. APS and SRP have fundamentally different rate structures — the utility on your bill determines how your system should be designed, whether you need battery storage, and what your payback period looks like.
Last updated: June 2026
The short answer
APS has better solar economics. APS pays $0.0617/kWh for exported solar, locked for 10 years, with no demand charges. SRP pays $0.0345/kWh — about half — with no rate lock and a ~$32/month fixed charge.
But you can't choose your utility — your address determines it. And solar is still worthwhile on SRP with the right system design. The rest of this page explains what the difference means for your specific situation.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | APS | SRP |
|---|---|---|
Export rate (2026) APS pays nearly 2× more per exported kWh | check_circle$0.0617/kWh | $0.0345/kWh |
Rate lock APS rate is guaranteed from your interconnection date | check_circle10 years | No lock |
Demand charges SRP's fixed charge applies regardless of solar production | check_circleNone | Yes (~$32/mo fixed) |
Peak hours (summer) Both penalize afternoon grid use | 3pm–8pm | 2pm–8pm |
Battery storage SRP's low export rate makes storage critical | check_circleOptional | Strongly recommended |
System sizing SRP oversizing earns near-nothing on export | check_circleMatch consumption | Size conservatively |
Net metering Both now use net billing (below-retail credits) | Retired 2023 | Retired Nov 2025 |
Rates as of June 2026. APS RCP rate applies Sept 2025–Aug 2026 and is locked for new customers from their interconnection date.
How to Find Out Which Utility You Have
In Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale, APS and SRP territories can split at the street level — two houses on the same block can have different utilities. Don't assume based on your neighbor or your city.
Check your electricity bill
The simplest method. Your utility's name and logo appear at the top of every monthly statement. If it says APS, you're APS. If it says SRP, you're SRP.
Call your utility
APS: 602-371-7171. SRP: 602-236-8888. Give them your service address and they'll confirm your account in under a minute.
Ask your solar installer
Any experienced Phoenix-area installer runs your address against utility territory maps before proposing a system. If they can't tell you which utility serves your home, that's a red flag.
What the Export Rate Difference Actually Means
The gap between APS ($0.0617/kWh) and SRP ($0.0345/kWh) sounds abstract. Here's what it means in practice for a typical Phoenix home that exports 200 kWh/month of surplus solar:
APS customer
$12.34/month
in export credits
200 kWh × $0.0617 · Rate locked 10 years
SRP customer
$6.90/month
in export credits
200 kWh × $0.0345 · No rate lock
Over a 10-year period, that difference compounds to roughly $648 less in export revenuefor the SRP customer — on the same system, same roof, same production. This is before accounting for SRP's demand charges and the fact that APS's rate is locked while SRP's is not. The gap is why battery storage makes a bigger difference on SRP: instead of exporting at 3.45¢, a battery lets you use that power yourself at the full retail value of ~13¢.
Battery Storage: Optional for APS, Important for SRP
APS + Battery
Battery storage for APS customers is worthwhile in two scenarios: offsetting the 3pm–8pm summer peak window on a Saver Choice Max plan, or providing backup power during monsoon outages. With a $0.0617/kWh export rate, the penalty for not having storage is manageable — solar alone still pencils out.
Verdict: Consider it, not required
SRP + Battery
For SRP customers, battery storage fundamentally changes the math. Your panels peak at 10am–2pm when your home draws little power — without storage, that energy exports at 3.45¢. A battery stores it for the 2pm–8pm peak window when grid power costs ~13¢. The payback gap between solar-only and solar-plus-storage narrows significantly on SRP.
Verdict: Strongly recommended
Which Cities Each Utility Serves
Primarily APS
Territory lines split mid-city in Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. Always verify with your bill or by calling your utility.
Full Guides for Each Utility
APS Customer Guide
Rate plans, RCP export rate, Battery Pilot program, interconnection timeline, and what to look for in an APS-approved installer.
Read the full guidearrow_forward
SRP Customer Guide
E-27 net billing, why battery storage changes the math, how to right-size a system for SRP, and what to ask an SRP-approved installer.
Read the full guidearrow_forward
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Installers Who Know Your Utility
APS and SRP solar are different. Browse our directory to find vetted installers with proven experience on your specific utility — verified ROC license, NABCEP certification, and utility pre-approval shown on every profile.
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