SRP Solar Plan Options: Which Rate Plan Is Best? (2026)

Salt River Project (SRP) serves most of Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Chandler (much of it), Queen Creek, and portions of Scottsdale and the East Valley. If you're in SRP territory, understanding how SRP's rate plans interact with solar production is critical to maximizing your savings.

SRP's solar billing model differs meaningfully from APS's, and choosing the wrong rate plan can significantly reduce your return on investment. This guide covers SRP's current solar programs, the export credit structure, and which plan tends to work best for different homeowner profiles.

For a full overview of all Arizona solar incentives, read our complete Arizona solar incentives guide. To see your personalized savings with SRP rates applied, use our solar savings calculator.

SRP Territory: Are You an SRP Customer?

SRP serves approximately 1.1 million customers across the greater Phoenix metro area. Key cities and areas: Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler (most of it), Tempe, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Apache Junction, parts of Scottsdale, and parts of Phoenix east of Central Avenue. If you're west of Central Avenue in Phoenix proper, you're likely an APS customer. Check your utility bill to confirm.

SRP's Solar Program: E-27 Customer Generation Plan

SRP's primary rate plan for residential solar customers is the E-27 Customer Generation plan. Under this plan, your meter tracks both the electricity you consume from the grid and the electricity you export to SRP.

How the E-27 Works

• Export Energy Credit: SRP credits you approximately $0.065/kWh for every kWh your system sends to the grid
• Consumption charges: You pay SRP's standard tiered rate for electricity you draw from the grid
• Time-of-use component: E-27 includes on-peak and off-peak pricing periods
• Demand charge: E-27 includes a demand charge component based on your peak 15-minute consumption during on-peak hours
• Monthly service charge: Fixed charge of approximately $20/month regardless of usage

Key insight: SRP's E-27 demand charges are the most significant factor in how much SRP solar customers save. A battery storage system can help manage demand peaks, which is why batteries are particularly valuable for SRP customers.

Understanding SRP Demand Charges

A demand charge is based on your single highest 15-minute average power draw during on-peak hours (typically 2–8 PM weekdays) in a billing month. The demand charge is typically $5–$10 per kW of peak demand.

Here's why this matters for solar: Your panels might produce enough to zero out your energy consumption, but if at 5 PM one weekday you briefly run your air conditioner, electric oven, and EV charger simultaneously — even for just 15 minutes — that demand spike can add $30–$60 to your monthly bill regardless of how much solar you produced.

Strategies to Minimize SRP Demand Charges

• Avoid stacking large loads during on-peak hours (2–8 PM weekdays)
• Pre-cool your home before 2 PM so the AC runs less during peak hours
• Delay dishwasher, laundry, and EV charging until after 8 PM
• Use a home battery to flatten demand peaks during on-peak windows
• Install a smart thermostat that learns peak-hour scheduling

SRP On-Peak Hours and Time-of-Use Pricing

SRP's E-27 plan uses time-of-use pricing in addition to demand charges:

Solar panels produce most during midday (10 AM–2 PM), which is actually before SRP's on-peak window. This means solar production peaks when electricity prices are at standard rates, not during the highest-value on-peak hours. This is a key difference from APS's rate structure and affects system sizing strategy.

System Sizing for SRP Customers

Because of the demand charge structure and the mismatch between solar production timing and on-peak hours, SRP solar customers benefit from:

• Moderate system sizing: Don't oversize — exports at $0.065/kWh are less valuable than self-consumption at retail rates
• West-facing panels (in some cases): West-facing panels produce more in the 2–5 PM range, aligning better with on-peak hours and demand periods
• Battery storage: Stores midday solar production for use during on-peak hours, dramatically improving savings and reducing demand charges

For guidance on whether a battery makes sense, see our Arizona home battery guide.

SRP Interconnection Process

Before your solar system can be activated on SRP's grid, your installer must complete SRP's interconnection application process:

1. Installer submits interconnection application to SRP
2. SRP reviews the application (technical review, grid impact assessment)
3. SRP issues approval (typically 4–8 weeks)
4. City/county inspection of completed installation
5. SRP final approval and Permission to Operate
6. SRP installs bi-directional meter

SRP vs APS: Solar Comparison

SRP and Phoenix-Area Solar Costs

Solar installation costs in SRP territory (Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler) are typically slightly lower than in APS's Scottsdale territory due to more installer competition and simpler roof types. Read our detailed breakdown of Phoenix-area solar costs which covers both APS and SRP territory pricing.

How to Maximize Solar Savings Under SRP

1. Install a battery: Shifts solar production to peak hours, eliminates demand spikes
2. Use a smart thermostat: Pre-cool home before 2 PM, raise setpoint during peak
3. Schedule loads off-peak: Laundry, dishwasher, and EV charging after 8 PM
4. Consider west-facing panels: Better production alignment with on-peak window
5. Right-size your system: Avoid massive oversizing — exports are undervalued
6. Monitor your demand: Use SRP's app to track and manage your demand peaks