How to Read APS Net Metering Bill and Other FAQs 

Arizona Public Service Company (APS) is Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electric company.¹ To date, they deliver safe, reliable and increased clean energy to more than 2.7 million customers in 11 of the state’s 15 counties² — and by 2030 — APS is expecting to provide electricity services to an additional 700,000 new customers.

Common Questions About Your APS Bill

1. How Do I Read My APS Bill Once My Solar Panels Start Producing Power?

With the help of a bi-directional meter, also known as a billable meter, APS will measure the difference between the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) your solar system produces throughout the month and the amount of electricity your home consumes from the grid. This difference is called Net Energy Metering (NEM).³

Since solar energy only affects the kWh portion of your APS bill, some elements will stay the same, such as your monthly service charge and your transmission and distribution charges. View a sample APS bill.

When your solar panels generate more kWh than you need in a particular month, the excess power will go back to the electric grid, and you’ll receive an energy credit on your next APS bill depending on the solar rate you selected, either Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP) or EPR-2.⁴

2. What Are RCP & EPR-2 Rates and How Are Credits Applied to My Bill?⁵

Resource Comparison Proxy (RCP) Rates:

RCP rates allow you to get an energy credit, based on the current RCP purchase rate, for any excess kWh your solar system produces and sends back to the grid. Any credits will be applied to your next monthly bill, or subsequent bills if necessary. And after your December bill, you may request a check for any credits due from the prior year. If your outstanding credits exceed $25, APS will automatically issue you a check. However, if the amount is less than $25, your energy credits will roll over to the following year. See RCP rate details.

EPR-2 Rates:

EPR-2 rates, also known as net billing, let you get a per-kWh credit on your bill for any excess energy your system generates during the month. Any excess energy your solar system produces and exports back to the electric grid will be purchased by APS in exchange for a credit on your current monthly bill. See EPR-2 rate details.

3. What Are Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate Plans?

TOU rate plans give you the opportunity to better manage and control your home energy usage — based on how much electricity you use and the time of day you use it. APS offers six different service plans to help their customers save money each month.⁶

Here’s a quick breakdown to understand the main differences between APS’ residential rate plans (TOU and non-TOU):

Lite Choice

This service plan is ideal if you have minimal energy usage (up to 600 kWh per month). The time of day you consume electricity isn’t a relevant factor in the Lite Choice plan. APS customers with rooftop solar aren’t eligible for this plan.⁷ See Lite Choice details. 

Premiere Choice

This service plan is ideal if you have moderate energy usage (from 601 up to 999 kWh per month). The time of day you consume electricity isn’t a relevant factor in the Premiere Choice plan. APS customers with rooftop solar aren’t eligible for this plan.⁸ See Premier Choice details

Premiere Choice Large

This service plan is ideal if you have higher energy usage (over 1,000 kWh per month). The time of day you consume electricity isn’t a relevant factor in the Premiere Choice Large plan. APS customers with rooftop solar aren’t eligible for this plan.⁹ See Premier Choice Large details.

Saver Choice (TOU)

This plan is ideal if you are able to shift most of your home energy use to lower cost off-peak hours. APS customers with rooftop solar are eligible for this plan.¹⁰ See Saver Choice details.

• On-Peak Hours (Higher Price)
• Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Off-Peak Hours (Lower Price)
• Monday to Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays
• Super Off-Peak Hours (Lowest Price)
• Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during winter (November to April)

Saver Choice Plus (TOU)

This service plan is ideal if you shift more of your home energy use to off-peak hours and stagger the use of your major appliances — like your oven, dryer, and water heater — across on-peak hours. APS customers with rooftop solar are eligible for this plan.¹¹ See Saver Choice Plus details.

Peak-Hour Usage Charge

• A separate charge for the highest one hour of on-peak energy used in your billing cycle
• On-Peak Hours (Higher Price)
• Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Off-Peak Hours (Lower Price)
• Monday to Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and all day on weekends and holidays
• Saver Choice Max (TOU)

This service plan is ideal if you shift more of your energy use to off-peak hours and can always stagger the use of major appliances across on-peak hours across on-peak hours. APS customers with rooftop solar are eligible for this plan.¹² See Saver Choice Max details.

4. Which APS Rate Plan Do Solar Customers Go On?

As stated above, if you have home solar panels and a battery storage system, you’re eligible to enroll in APS’ Saver Choice plans: Saver Choice, Saver Choice or Saver Choice Max (not on Lite Choice, Premiere Choice, or Premiere Choice Large plans).

With APS’s Saver Choice plans, you can store the excess energy you produce during off-peak hours when prices are lower (morning or early afternoon), and use that electricity during on-peak hours when prices are higher (late afternoon to early evening) to experience greater savings each month.

5. What Happens to My Solar Service If I Move?

If you decide to move, at Sunrun, we have a team of Service Transfer Specialists standing by to help you sell your home and transfer your solar contract to the new owner. As soon as you notify Sunrun you are selling your property; you will be assigned to a Service Transfer Specialist who will work with you exclusively through the entire transaction.

From educating realtors and potential buyers to working with home inspectors, escrow officers, title agents, and anyone else who should know about your system or solar contract, Sunrun has your back.¹³ Learn solar service transfer tips. 

Visit APS’ Website for More Details

For additional solar resources, please visit Sunrun’s Solar Education Center. And if you’re on the verge of starting your savings journey with solar energy, request your free, customized quote today.

The Perfect Time To Go Solar Is Now

Our solar advisors are here to guide you every step of the way to lease, prepay, purchase or finance your new set of panels, or solar battery storage system, and save thousands of dollars on energy costs during the next 20 to 30 years.* Some of our solar plans start at little to $0 down.