San Jose Electricity Rates in 2026: SJCE vs PG&E, TOU Pricing, Average Bills, and How to Save
Understanding the electricity landscape in San Jose is key for managing monthly expenses. In most neighborhoods, your bill is a combination of San José Clean Energy (SJCE) generation and PG&E delivery, and your total cost depends heavily on when you use electricity (time-of-use pricing).
This 2026 guide covers:
- Who provides electricity in San Jose (SJCE vs PG&E)
- How time-of-use rates work
- Average bill estimates with simple tables
- SJCE plan options and common PG&E rate plans
- Solar and net metering basics in San Jose
- Practical ways to reduce your electric bill
Disclaimer
Electricity rates and policies change frequently. The information and examples in this guide are based on publicly available utility and market data available as of 2026. Always verify your current pricing and rate plan directly on your SJCE/PG&E bill and official utility rate schedules.
Energy providers in San Jose
San Jose electricity service typically involves two entities:
- San José Clean Energy (SJCE): A Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) run by the City of San José. SJCE provides electricity generation and offers cleaner energy options (for example, GreenSource and TotalGreen).
- Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E): PG&E provides electric delivery (poles and wires), grid maintenance, outages, and most billing functions.
Who charges you for what?
| Bill section | Provider | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Generation | SJCE (or PG&E if bundled) | The electricity supply (kWh you use) |
| Delivery | PG&E | Poles/wires, transmission, distribution, grid maintenance |
| Other charges | Often PG&E line items | Items like legacy cost recovery and local fees that may apply to CCA customers |
Current electricity costs in San Jose (2026)
There isn’t a single fixed “San Jose electricity rate” because your effective cost depends on:
- Your rate plan (TOU vs tiered, EV plans, all-electric home plans)
- Whether you receive generation from SJCE or PG&E
- What time you use electricity (especially late afternoon/evening)
- Seasonal pricing, baseline allocations, and bill-specific fees
San Jose pricing benchmark (easy to understand)
A practical benchmark many homeowners use is around $0.30 per kWh for San Jose, based on real customer bill reporting and local averages.
Your bill can be higher if you use a lot of power during peak hours or have high total usage.
Average monthly bill estimates
Below are rough estimates using a $0.30/kWh benchmark to make planning simple.
Monthly bill by electricity usage
| Monthly usage (kWh) | Typical home situation | Estimated monthly cost at $0.30/kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 300 | Studio / very efficient apartment | $90 |
| 400 | 1–2 bedroom apartment | $120 |
| 600 | Small home / careful usage | $180 |
| 864 | Common “average bill dataset” usage level | $259 |
| 1,000 | Mid-size home / higher usage | $300 |
| 1,200 | Larger home or EV charging + home | $360 |
Quick “what changes your bill the most?”
| Biggest bill driver | Why it matters in San Jose | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Peak-hour usage | TOU peak pricing can be much higher | Shift usage outside peak windows |
| A/C + heating | HVAC is often the largest load | Seal, insulate, tune equipment |
| EV charging | Large energy load if charging at peak | Schedule overnight charging |
| Electric water heating | Can run daily and add up | Consider heat pump water heater |
Understanding rate structures in San Jose
Time-of-Use (TOU) rates
Most residents are on time-of-use (TOU) pricing, meaning electricity costs vary by time.
Common peak window to plan around
- Peak hours: 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (common on major plans)
- Off-peak: most other hours
Even if your household uses the same total kWh each month, shifting usage away from peak can reduce your bill.
TOU periods (simple cheat sheet)
| TOU period | Typical timing | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Peak | Late afternoon to evening (often 4–9 p.m.) | Highest rates |
| Off-peak | Late night + mornings | Lower rates |
| Midday | Late morning/afternoon | Best window for solar self-use |
SJCE rate options (2026)
SJCE offers a few main residential service levels:
- GreenSource (default): Cleaner mix (SJCE default for most households)
- TotalGreen: 100% renewable option for customers who want maximum renewable content
- SJ Cares: Discounted program for income-qualified customers (discount applied to generation charges)
SJCE options at a glance
| SJCE option | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GreenSource | Most households | Default plan |
| TotalGreen | Customers prioritizing renewables | Typically costs slightly more |
| SJ Cares | Income-qualified households | Discount on generation charges |
PG&E rate plans (common in San Jose)
PG&E sets the delivery rate plan structure and TOU timing. Common plans include:
- E-TOU-C: Peak pricing 4–9 p.m. daily
- E-TOU-D: Weekday peak window (plan-specific)
- EV2-A (EV plan): Lower off-peak pricing for EV charging (higher peak pricing)
- E-ELEC: All-electric home focused plan with lower off-peak pricing (plan-specific)
Which plan is “best”?
It depends on your lifestyle:
- If your household is busiest between 4–9 p.m., you may need a strategy (load shifting, solar, battery).
- If you can run major appliances later at night and charge an EV overnight, TOU plans can work in your favor.
Renewable energy goals and net energy metering (solar) in San Jose
SJCE has stated goals around delivering cleaner electricity and supporting customer-owned solar.
How solar billing works (high level)
If you have solar:
- PG&E still handles delivery and many bill line items
- SJCE handles generation credits/charges if SJCE is your provider
Net surplus compensation (excess solar)
For customers who produce more solar than they use over a billing period, SJCE publishes a net surplus compensation value for exports.
Key point for 2026: Export credits are typically much lower than retail electricity prices, so the best savings usually come from using more solar energy in your home (self-consumption), not exporting it.
Strategies to reduce electricity costs in San Jose
1) Shift energy use away from peak hours
- Run dishwasher and laundry after 9 p.m.
- Avoid electric oven, dryer, and heavy A/C use during peak
- Schedule EV charging overnight
2) Improve energy efficiency (fast wins)
- Upgrade to LED lighting
- Use a smart thermostat and pre-cool earlier in the day
- Replace HVAC filters and tune up equipment
- Seal doors/windows and improve insulation
3) Upgrade the biggest energy hogs (high impact)
- Heat pump HVAC (when replacement is needed)
- Heat pump water heater
- ENERGY STAR appliances
4) Use discount and assistance programs
- Check eligibility for CARE/FERA
- If you qualify, SJ Cares can reduce your generation charges
5) Consider solar (and possibly a battery)
Solar can reduce long-term electricity costs, and in TOU territories like San Jose, batteries can help reduce expensive evening peak usage.
Go solar and save on electricity in San Jose
One of the most effective ways to reduce electricity bills long term is switching to solar. Solar panels can lower your reliance on the grid and reduce exposure to future rate increases.
If you want tailored solar recommendations for your roof and usage, request a solar quote and compare system sizing options.