Solar Choice
How Does Solar with RMEA Work?
About Going Solar with RMEA
Interested in going solar or already have solar on your property? You are automatically enrolled into Rancho Mirage Energy Authority's (RMEA) solar programs unless you acted and opted-out of RMEA. RMEA is leading the way by offering competitive rates for excess energy production and offering unmatched local rebates and programs.
How does RMEA work?
Southern California Edison (SCE) and Rancho Mirage Energy Authority collaborate to deliver your electricity. SCE maintains the lines and infrastructure, manages start/stop service requests, and handles billing for which they receive "Delivery & Transmission" charges. Meanwhile, RMEA provides the actual energy, or electrons, into the lines and receives "Generation" charges. You are not billed twice; instead, you receive one monthly bill from SCE with two line items, clearly outlining the two components of your energy service.
How RMEA’s Solar Programs Work?
If you are already enrolled in a solar plan (also known as Net Energy Metering or "NEM") with SCE, you are automatically enrolled in one of RMEA’s parallel solar programs. Your system's energy production is monitored monthly, and any charges or credits are applied accordingly. If you have a grandfathered status (NEM 1.0 or 2.0), you retain this status for twenty years from the date of interconnection.
We've listened to your feedback! Many of our customers expressed frustration with large annual true-ups from both RMEA and SCE, and we're excited to announce a change.
Starting in June 2024, RMEA solar customers will transition to a monthly settlement of generation charges. If you've consumed more energy than your system produced, you'll see a monthly charge on your bill. Conversely, if you've produced more energy than you've used, you'll receive a credit to your RMEA escrow account, your "energy bank." This bank can be used to offset any grid energy you use in future months. Please note that you'll still be billed annually by SCE unless you contact them directly to switch to monthly billing for their charges.
Not Interested in Switching? If you typically balance out your usage over the year or produce more energy than you consume and wish to remain on annual settlement of charges, please email your name, address, and phone number to information@ranchomirageenergy.org
Your excess generation (electrons) will be evaluated by RMEA on your true-up date which will be on the May billing cycle for most customers or on the date the solar system received permission to connect to the grid for those who installed solar on or after April 15, 2023. On this date, any credits you have accumulated for electric generation will be settled. Hooray! and congratulations on being a Powerhouse...
SCE's Delivery & Transmission Portion
Your SCE delivery and transmission true-up date may be the sooner of your enrollment into RMEA or the date your solar system received permission to operate. On that date, your net charges and credits for the delivery portion of service will be settled by SCE. You will not be compensated for any credits you have accumulated for delivery charges. Compensation is only paid out for generation (think electrons) and RMEA handles that portion of your electric service.
You will not be compensated for any credits you have accumulated for delivery. Compensation is only paid out for generation (think electrons) and RMEA handles that portion of your electric service.
RMEA Generation "Electrons" Portion
NEM 1.0 & 2.0
For customers whose system applications were submitted prior to April 15, 2023, if at the end of your 12-month true-up period you've produced more energy (kWh) than you've used, RMEA will calculate the energy (kWh) in your energy bank multiplied by the current Net Surplus Compensation Rate. If you have accumulated a negative solar choice escrow (retail value of the energy) it is subtracted.
If the compensation owed is one hundred dollars or more, we'll mail you a check! If it's less, don't worry, we'll roll your compensation back into your energy bank for you to use during the next relevant period.
Solar Billing Plan
Customers in this category have been transitioned to SCE's Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate Plans, with parallel enrollment into RMEA's mirrored SBP Solar Choice Program. These customers are subject to an avoided cost calculator and value of export rates. If there is excess generation, RMEA will roll it back into your energy bank for you to use during the next relevant period.
NEM 1.0 & 2.0
For customers whose system applications were submitted prior to April 15, 2023, you will continue to receive retail rates for energy. This means you receive the same rate for when you send energy to the grid as you would be charged for pulling energy at that time. If you are on a TOU plan this rate fluctuates based on the time of day and season. For those on the grandfathered tiered plan, this same concept applies.
Solar Billing Plan
These participants have been moved to SCE's Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate Plans, with parallel enrollment into RMEA's mirrored SBP Solar Choice Program. These customers are subject to an avoided cost calculator and value of export rates.
How to Keep Track of your Energy Bank
RMEA tracks both the value of your imports/exports of energy to the grid as well as the actual energy (kWh). You can view where your energy bank is at each month by viewing your SCE bill, typically RMEA's portion of charges is on the last page.
See the example bill below, notice "Solar Choice Charge Balance" and "Your cumulative kWh relevant period year-to-date" in the red highlighted box below.
SBP succeeds the Net Energy Metering (NEM) 2.0 program and changes the value of export rates for new solar customers. SBP participants are on Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rate Plans, with parallel enrollment into RMEA's mirrored SBP Solar Choice Program. To encourage early adoption of the Solar Billing Plan, residential customers who enroll prior to 2028 are also eligible to receive an additional credit.
These customers are subject to an avoided cost calculator and value of export rates. If there is excess generation, RMEA will calculate compensation and roll that into your energy bank for you to use during the next relevant period.
- You Have Choices:
- You can choose to pay more and opt-out of RMEA- moving to bundled service with SCE.
- Take no action and stay on RMEA's Base Choice plan for the excess energy you pull from the grid.
- Or YOU can go GREEN and opt-up to RMEA's 100% Renewable Energy Plan. Any excess energy you use will be sourced from 100% renewable sources for the nominal cost of just $0.009 per kWh (Yes! that right- not even a penny). This charge applies when you are drawing power from the grid as well as when you are generating power and sending it back!
- RMEA Works For You: If you have billing questions call our customer service line and get a live person at (760) 578-6092. If you have comments, ideas or program questions email us at information@ranchomirageenergy.org
- Unique Rebates and Programs: RMEA reinvests back into your community. Check out the rebates and unique programs only available to RMEA customers, such as the no-upfront cost solar and battery options with Power Choice.
If you are experiencing high energy bills you should first take these steps:
- Check your monthly or annual kWh usage to see if you used more energy than the previous month or year.
- Check to ensure your solar panels are working properly. If they are not, check to ensure they are clean and free of debris, not shaded by your trees, or contact your solar installer to have them serviced.
- On a TOU plan? Consider adding a battery to your system to reduce grid exposure during peak pricing times. Check out the RMEA Power Choice program if you want a no-upfront cost, billed monthly option.
- If you still cannot figure out why your energy bills are abnormal, you can request a meeting with a RMEA specialist by emailing information@ranchomirageenergy.org
Steps for Going Solar:
- Consider RMEA’s Power Choice Program, a no-upfront cost Tesla solar and battery option. If this isn’t for you…
- Choose a Contractor: Find a qualified, licensed solar contractor for a free evaluation and quote.
- Financing Options: Explore financing options like Grid Alternatives or Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE).
- Installation: Installation typically takes one to four days, followed by connection to the grid.
- Sign up for Solar Billing Plan: Enroll through SCE and automatically join RMEA’s Solar Option Program.
- Rebate: Apply for RMEA's $500 rebate!
Additional Information: