Power Grab: Why Your Electricity Bill Keeps Going Up

Policy & Market Uncertainty
Written By Katrina Kramer
A California home with rooftop solar sits beneath large utility power lines at sunset, symbolizing rising electricity costs and grid control.

Even with rooftop solar, California homeowners are still under the shadow of rising utility rates.

After two years of solar gut punches in California — from slashed net metering rates to rising utility fees — it’s fair to say homeowners are already on edge. Now, the federal government is throwing fuel on the fire.

Under the Trump administration’s energy agenda, we’re seeing clean energy incentives stripped away, permitting snarled in bureaucracy, and major utility-backed policies that quietly raise your monthly power bill. Whether you follow politics or not, this affects your bottom line.

How Trump’s Energy Agenda Drives Up Your Electricity Costs

The Trump administration has made it harder — not easier — for clean energy to compete. That’s not just bad for the environment. It directly impacts what you pay for power.

Here’s how:

  • Fewer renewable projects = less supply = higher wholesale costs. When large-scale solar and wind projects are delayed or canceled, utilities lean harder on gas peaker plants and old infrastructure — both more expensive to operate.

  • Federal roadblocks slow rooftop solar. From canceled low-income solar programs to red tape that restricts building on private land, federal policy has added friction where momentum was building.

  • The “Big Beautiful Bill” just made things worse. This recently passed legislation gives additional support to fossil fuel development while weakening incentives for clean energy deployment — shifting the balance of power (and cost) back to utility companies.

  • Less distributed energy = more grid dependence. When fewer homes have rooftop solar, utilities serve more of the demand — and charge more to do it.

Bottom line: policies that obstruct clean energy make the grid more fragile, more expensive, and more dependent on fossil fuels. And the cost of that lands squarely on your monthly bill.

What’s Happening — and Why It Matters

Let’s break it down:

  • Low-income solar grants were canceled, triggering lawsuits from states like California and New York.

  • Federal agencies are making it harder to build on private land, stalling renewable projects that could lower regional energy costs.

  • Trump’s “blizzard of directives” is limiting wind and solar deployment across the country — even as extreme weather and grid instability ramp up.

  • His recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill” tips the scales further in favor of fossil fuels and monopoly utilities, making it harder for families to access clean, affordable energy.

Translation: less solar = more grid dependence = higher costs for everyone.

And if you’re thinking, “But I already went solar,” or “I’ll wait this out,” here’s the kicker — your utility rates are still going up.

California’s Utility Rates Are Already Brutal

PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E have all requested double-digit rate hikes. Why? Because aging infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, and grid maintenance are expensive — and they pass those costs directly to you.

Even if you’re conservative with your power use, you’re getting hit with:

  • Higher base connection fees

  • Time-of-Use surcharges during peak hours

  • New monthly meter fees (just for being a solar customer)

This isn’t some far-off policy debate. It’s happening right now, on your bill.

So, What Does Solar Still Get You?

Despite all of this — solar still works. Especially if you do it right.

✅ Offset usage when rates are highest. California’s Time-of-Use (TOU) structure means you’re billed more between 4–9 p.m. A well-sized system can cover most of your daytime load and feed the grid when it’s worth the most.

✅ Pair it with a battery. Storage lets you use your own energy when rates spike — and ride through outages, which are only getting worse.

✅ Lock in long-term savings. While the 30% federal tax credit is still in place for 2025, we can’t guarantee that new installs will be completed before the December 31 deadline. However, many of our financing partners offer rebate-equivalent incentives that still put thousands back in your pocket.

✅ Build resilience. This isn’t just about bills. Solar + battery = more control over your power, no matter who’s in office.

Real Numbers: What It Looks Like to Ditch the Grid

Here’s what your monthly electricity costs could look like under three different scenarios — assuming you use 1,200 kWh per month and pay PG&E’s average of $0.39 per kWh:

  • PG&E, no solar: $468/month

  • Solar only: $20–$30/month (fixed utility connection fees)

  • Solar + Battery: ~$20/month plus added benefits — no peak rates, and backup power during outages

That’s a potential annual savings of over $5,000 — plus protection from rate hikes and grid instability.

This infographic compares monthly electricity costs across three scenarios — grid-only, solar-only, and solar plus battery — highlighting potential savings of over $5,000 per year and added protection from peak rates and outages.

A Final Word

We’ll be blunt: federal policy is shifting — and it’s not trending in your favor.

But you still have options. And solar, especially when paired with battery storage, continues to be one of the smartest financial decisions California homeowners can make.

“It’s not about politics. It’s about power — who has it, who controls it, and how much it’s going to cost you.”

— Geoff Kramer, PE, Co-founder, Viva Energy

If you’re ready to take back control of your energy future, talk to us. We’ll run the numbers, show your options, and help you navigate whatever changes come next.

References

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the Viva Energy team for accuracy and clarity. If you spot an error or have a suggestion, please let us know at vivainsider@gmail.com.
Katrina Kramer
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