Going Solar with SRP in 2026
A complete guide for Salt River Project customers — what changed when SRP retired net metering, how the E-27 plan works, why battery storage changes the math for East Valley homeowners, and what to look for in an SRP-experienced installer.
Last updated: June 2026
SRP net metering retired November 2025
SRP no longer offers net metering. All new solar customers are placed on the E-27 net billing plan, which credits surplus generation at just $0.0345/kWh — roughly one-quarter of the retail rate. This fundamentally changes how solar systems should be designed and sized for East Valley homeowners. Any installer who doesn't lead with this in their proposal is behind.
Export Rate
$0.0345/kWh
E-27 plan — lowest in Arizona
Peak Hours
2pm – 8pm
Weekdays, summer (May–Oct)
Battery Storage
Recommended
Especially for East Valley homes
SRP Service Area in Arizona
Salt River Project serves the East Valley and parts of the Phoenix metro. If your electricity bill says SRP, this guide applies to you.
Not sure if you're an SRP or APS customer? Check the top of your monthly electricity bill. APS customers, see the APS guide.
How SRP Net Billing Works
Under SRP's E-27 plan, your solar panels power your home first. Any surplus flows to the grid and earns a credit — but at a rate far below what you pay for grid electricity.
| Rate Type | Rate (2026) | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| SRP retail rate | ~$0.13/kWh | What you pay when drawing from the grid |
| SRP export credit (E-27) | $0.0345/kWh | What SRP pays you for surplus solar |
The math that matters for system sizing
A kWh you use directly from your panels saves you ~$0.13. A kWh you export earns $0.0345. Self-consumption is worth 3.8× more than export. This is why oversizing a system on SRP is counterproductive — and why battery storage, which captures midday surplus for later self-consumption, fundamentally changes the economics.
Why Battery Storage Changes the Math for SRP Customers
For most SRP customers, battery storage isn't an upsell — it's a core part of how solar works in the East Valley post-net-metering. Here's why.
Solar produces most during midday
Your panels peak between 10am and 2pm — hours when most homes have low electricity demand (people at work, AC not yet running hard). Without storage, most of that midday production flows to the grid at 3.45¢/kWh.
Grid demand peaks in the afternoon
SRP's E-27 plan has its most expensive grid rates from 2pm–8pm in summer. That's when your AC is running hardest and solar production is tapering off. Without storage, you export cheap midday power and buy back expensive afternoon power.
A battery closes the gap
A battery charges during peak solar hours (10am–2pm) and discharges during the peak window (2pm–8pm). Instead of exporting at 3.45¢ and buying back at 13¢, you use your own stored power during the most expensive part of the day.
Bottom line:For an SRP customer with a correctly sized battery, the payback period on the combined solar + storage system is often shorter than solar alone — because you're capturing value that would otherwise be exported at a near-worthless rate. Ask any SRP installer to show you a model that includes battery storage before you decide to go panels-only.
How to Right-Size a Solar System for SRP
The rule-of-thumb sizing that works for APS customers doesn't apply on SRP. Here's what a well-designed SRP proposal looks like.
80–90% consumption offset
A system sized to cover most of your annual usage without significant export. Lower upfront cost, better ROI on SRP.
Battery storage modeled in
The proposal shows savings with and without storage — not just panels. The installer has sized the battery to cover SRP's 2pm–8pm peak window.
Maximum roof coverage
Filling every available panel slot sounds better, but on SRP, surplus export earns almost nothing. Bigger isn't better here.
Net metering assumptions
Any proposal assuming 1:1 net metering credits is based on outdated SRP policy. SRP retired net metering November 2025.
What to Look for in an SRP Solar Installer
SRP solar is more complex than APS solar post-net-metering. The right installer understands the E-27 economics and leads with battery storage as part of the conversation.
SRP pre-approval
Required for interconnection. Ask how many SRP interconnections they've completed in the past 12 months — not just historically.
Battery storage expertise
Can they design and install a battery system optimized for SRP's E-27 peak hours? Ask for examples of SRP + battery systems they've installed.
E-27 consumption modeling
Their proposal should show your projected annual bill on E-27, with and without storage, based on your actual usage data — not a generic template.
NABCEP + ROC license
Required in Arizona. Verify at roc.az.gov. NABCEP certification means the design engineer has passed a rigorous national exam.
Arizona Solar List shows SRP approval status on every profile
Every installer on our directory displays their SRP pre-approval badge, NABCEP certification, and Arizona ROC license number — so you can find qualified East Valley installers without manual vetting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Browse the Arizona Solar List directory — filter by SRP pre-approval, battery storage expertise, and East Valley service area to find qualified installers in your city.
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