SMUD is a public power district serving about 601,275 homes in California. Here's what its rates and export rules mean for solar: for a typical customer, solar is worth it.
Net billing (reduced export credit) — about 9.6¢ per exported kWh, instantaneous netting.
Solar and Storage Rate: export credit raised to 9.6 cents/kWh effective June 1, 2026; credits offset usage charges and carry forward. Mandatory TOU.
Solar and Storage Rate (SSR): imports billed at R-TOD retail; all kWh exported (bi-directional meter delivered channel) credited at a flat Export Compensation Rate; credit offsets only electricity usage charges, carries over.
| System | 3.2 kW (64% of 663 kWh/month) |
|---|---|
| Cost | $11,180 |
| First-year savings | $818 |
| Payback | 12.7 years |
| 25-year net | $15,967 |
Uses the utility's average price; time-of-use plans can change this, so pick your plan in the calculator.
Rates we verified from SMUD's tariff documents. Prices are per kWh including the main riders where noted; check your bill for the plan you're on.
Plan for solar customers. Effective 2026-01-01. Fixed charge $27.00/month.
| Period | Price |
|---|---|
| 5pm–8pm (4 months) | 37.6¢ |
| 12pm–5pm, 8pm–12am (4 months) | 21.4¢ |
| 12am–12pm (4 months) | 15.5¢ |
| 5pm–8pm (8 months) | 17.8¢ |
| 12am–5pm, 8pm–12am (8 months) | 12.8¢ |
EIA-861, 2025.
Solar and Storage Rate: export credit raised to 9.6 cents/kWh effective June 1, 2026; credits offset usage charges and carry forward. Mandatory TOU. Exported power is credited at about 9.6¢ per kWh.
Residential customers paid an average of 18.9¢ per kWh in 2025 (EIA), about 19.9¢ adjusted to 2026. The typical home uses 663 kWh a month, a bill of about $132.
For a typical customer, solar is worth it: a 3.2 kW system costing about $11,180 pays back in about 12.7 years, with $15,967 net over 25 years.
About 62,657 homes had net-metered solar at the end of 2025, roughly 10.4% of residential customers (EIA-861).
Legal name: Sacramento Municipal Util Dist (EIA ID 16534). Data: EIA-861 2025 and monthly data through 2026, state policy research October 2026, utility tariff sheets.