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Electricity In California

  • Population39,512,223
  • Total Consumption244,955,840 MWh / 6.2 MWh per capita
  • CO2 Equivalent Emissions71,621,386,802 kg
  • Total Production192,985,887 MWh / 4.88 MWh per capita
state-map

Residential Electricity Bills & Rates in California

California residential electric rates are highest in January and the highest average bill is in July.

Historical Pricing:
Price Per kWHAverage Bill$0.234/kWh$0.141/kWh$175.16/mo.$58.91/mo.
47th21.33¢Average residential price per kWh in the state of California
35th$122.47Average residential monthly electricity bill for California Residents

Energy Profile of California

California's Electricity Prices and Usage

Consumers in California are faced with a higher electricity rate than many people in the nation, with an average state electric rate of 21.33 cents per kilowatt hour compared to the US average price of 13.33 cents. This ranks California as the 47th lowest priced state in the country by average electricity rate. With 80 electricity companies in the state, customers have many choices to choose from thanks to the deregulated electricity market that exists in the state. Previously, roughly 13,509,837.55 megawatt hours were generated in the state from wind a year. However, now that total is 14,437,241.02 megawatt hours, a 6.86% increase. The state released 71,621,386,801.76 kilograms of CO2 equivalent gases from electricity consumption, causing it to be the 5th worst polluting state in the United States when considering total CO2 equivalent emissions. California ranks as the 50th highest state in the nation for electricity use per person, with an average of 6.2 megawatt hours used each year per citizen. Southern California Edison has 3,848,013 residential customers, which is more than all other vendors in the state.

Electricity Providers in California

ProviderArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Rate (¢)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Average Bill ($)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Residential Sales (MWh)Arrow DownBlue arrow pointing down.Residential Revenues ($)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State Production (MWh)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.State Emissions (KG)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Southern California Edison 19.38117.1524,378,0774,724,422,0004,354,704.9129,458,767,126.16
Pacific Gas and Electric Company24.67145.8914,691,4553,623,782,00025,493,01214,934,455,278.9
Los Angeles Department of Water & Power20.79109.598,574,7081,782,417,8636,599,84411,616,442,137.41
San Diego Gas and Electric26.71109.396,431,2011,717,700,4251,903,719.847,552,064,757.94
Sacramento Municipal Utility District15.56112.064,915,537764,743,1681,181,264.755,221,258,987.34
Clean Power Alliance6.9642.514,073,864283,523,700No DataIcon representing missing value.2,268,214,788.85
Marin Cleam Energy7.5636.422,444,322184,815,000No DataIcon representing missing value.1,339,512,948.19
East Bay Community Energy7.8529.782,240,219175,782,000No DataIcon representing missing value.1,520,996,123.99
Imperial Irrigation District12.68150.361,940,909246,095,0001,153,5201,978,054,967.34
Peninsula Clean Energy7.4432.441,363,255101,453,500No DataIcon representing missing value.922,627,462.15
80 providers total

Power Plants in California

PlantArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Primary Fuel TypeArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Production (MWh)Arrow DownBlue arrow pointing down.Emission (KG)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Emissions per MWh (KG/MWh)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Toxic Chemical ReleaseArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Closing DateArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Diablo CanyonPacific Gas and Electric Company (100.00%)
Nuclear 13,708,554203,172,332.2514.82No DataIcon representing missing value.8/2025
Dynegy Moss Landing Power PlantDynegy Energy Services (100.00%)
Natural Gas 5,062,5671,882,153,658.56371.78No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Geysers Unit 5-20Calpine (100.00%)
Geothermal 4,638,947315,393,895.267.99No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Pastoria Energy Facility, LLCCalpine (100.00%)
Natural Gas 4,514,2661,693,919,700.48375.24No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Delta Energy CenterDelta Energy Center LLC (100.00%)
Natural Gas 3,892,4141,524,785,166.94391.73No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Cosumnes
Natural Gas 3,886,414.021,379,242,033.15354.89No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Elk Hills Power LLCCalifornia Resources Elk Hills LLC (69.32%)Elk Hills Power LLC (30.68%)
Natural Gas 3,809,8381,343,769,703.5352.71No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
High Desert Power PlantMRP Generation Holdings, LLC (100.00%)
Natural Gas 3,260,3081,304,154,842.2400.01No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Los Medanos Energy CenterCalpine (100.00%)
Natural Gas 3,136,0771,110,651,813.88354.15No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
Gateway Generating StationPacific Gas and Electric Company (100.00%)
Natural Gas 3,116,6841,203,157,095.42386.04No DataIcon representing missing value.No DataIcon representing missing value.
1424 power plants total

Quick Facts

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California generates 57.44% of its electricity from non-renewable fuels, giving it a ranking of 7th worst for total electricity generation from non-renewable fuel types.

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In the state of California, the usage of renewable fuels for electricity production has fallen by 8.30% over the course of the past 12 months.

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With a 0.11% decline over the past 12 months, California’s population is estimated to be 39,512,223.

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With 32,644,696.49 megawatt hours produced from solar power and 39,512,223 citizens in California, the state averages 0.83 megawatt hours produced from solar per capita, which gives it a ranking of 6th in the United States.

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California uses 26.93% more megawatt hours than it generates.

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While a majority of states try to decrease the burning of non-renewable fuel types, California’s burning of these fuels for electricity purposes has actually risen by 4.73% within the previous 12 months.

CountyArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.PopulationArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.ProvidersArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.PlantsArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Rate (¢)Arrow UpArrow pointing upwards.Avg. Electric BillArrow UpArrow pointing upwards.
Alameda County1,671,3297 providers2224.02$141.43/mo
Alpine County1,12911 providersNo DataIcon representing missing value.19.20$112.76/mo
Amador County39,7524 providers522.25$136.93/mo
Butte County219,1865 providers1724.15$141.97/mo
Calaveras County45,90513 providers422.09$143.43/mo
Colusa County21,5473 providers224.67$145.89/mo
Contra Costa County1,153,5264 providers2424.58$145.94/mo
Del Norte County27,8127 providersNo DataIcon representing missing value.12.41$106.94/mo
El Dorado County192,84310 providers921.19$129.96/mo
Fresno County999,1017 providers6224.23$143.53/mo
Glenn County28,3933 providers224.67$145.89/mo
Humboldt County135,5588 providers523.96$143.19/mo
Imperial County181,21511 providers6115.26$135.64/mo
Inyo County18,03913 providers1518.87$115.87/mo
Kern County900,2027 providers18222.26$132.97/mo
Kings County152,9406 providers2722.20$132.51/mo
Lake County64,3863 providers424.67$145.89/mo
Lassen County30,57313 providers517.81$121.15/mo
Los Angeles County10,039,10714 providers19218.93$106.86/mo
Madera County157,3277 providers1423.64$139.64/mo
Marin County258,8262 providers224.67$145.89/mo
Mariposa County17,2039 providers222.82$143.21/mo
Mendocino County86,7496 providers221.88$125.98/mo
Merced County277,6806 providers1220.59$129.30/mo
Modoc County8,8419 providersNo DataIcon representing missing value.12.26$107.03/mo
Mono County14,44414 providers820.41$122.15/mo
Monterey County434,0614 providers1924.67$145.89/mo
Napa County137,7443 providers424.67$145.89/mo
Nevada County99,75510 providers621.32$124.58/mo
Orange County3,175,6927 providers3219.70$108.16/mo
Placer County398,32912 providers1819.90$125.06/mo
Plumas County18,80711 providers920.94$131.31/mo
Riverside County2,470,54616 providers8517.45$107.34/mo
Sacramento County1,552,0585 providers5017.77$119.80/mo
San Benito County62,8084 providers324.67$145.89/mo
San Bernardino County2,180,08527 providers11814.01$85.57/mo
San Diego County3,338,3307 providers7126.56$109.65/mo
San Francisco County881,5494 providers622.81$122.73/mo
San Joaquin County762,14810 providers2022.47$141.74/mo
San Luis Obispo County283,1116 providers1024.62$145.65/mo
San Mateo County766,5735 providers423.36$133.79/mo
Santa Barbara County446,4995 providers521.49$125.11/mo
Santa Clara County1,927,8526 providers5321.53$123.51/mo
Santa Cruz County273,2134 providers324.39$143.80/mo
Shasta County180,08011 providers3619.17$132.33/mo
Sierra County3,00510 providers219.05$118.46/mo
Siskiyou County43,5398 providers611.77$101.63/mo
Solano County447,6435 providers3224.60$145.57/mo
Sonoma County494,3363 providers1324.46$143.85/mo
Stanislaus County550,6606 providers1719.05$146.40/mo
Sutter County96,9717 providers523.35$137.66/mo
Tehama County65,0844 providers721.73$133.88/mo
Trinity County12,2857 providers213.40$101.50/mo
Tulare County466,1957 providers3821.62$129.29/mo
Tuolumne County54,47814 providers1322.88$142.50/mo
Ventura County846,0065 providers1119.67$116.92/mo
Yolo County220,5004 providers1022.46$137.68/mo
Yuba County78,6683 providers424.67$145.89/mo

Power Plant Fuel Types, Emissions & Pollution Factors

Coming in at 5th worst in the country, California emits 71,621,386,801.76 kilograms of CO2 & CO2 equivalent gases from electricity production a year. This total also results in a ranking of 49th highest in the nation for pollution per citizen. About 49.03% of the state of California’s electricity is produced using Natural Gas. Solar and Conventional Hydroelectric have the second and third highest total usage, respectively, for electricity production. Solar is used to make 16.92% of electricity generation and Conventional Hydroelectric accounts for 9.30% of total generation in the state. California has 1424 electricity producing plants, which is the 1st highest number of power plants in a state and the 22nd highest amount of plants per resident in a state.

NATURAL GAS
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
Natural Gas
49.03%
SOLAR Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Solar
Solar
16.92%
CONVENTIONAL HYDROELECTRIC Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Conventional Hydroelectric
9.30%
WIND Renewable, RefreshableIcon representing renewability.
Wind
7.48%
NUCLEAR
Nuclear
7.10%
OTHER
Other
Other
10.19%

Net Metering

California has 51 out of 80 electricity providers reporting that they offer net metering to residents with personal solar panels. At the state level, California has highly favorable laws for consumers interested in investing in personal solar.

Energy Loss

There are 51 providers in California that reported energy loss, including Southern California Edison , Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and San Diego Gas and Electric. Combined, these 51 providers average an annual energy loss of 8.45% of electricity generated. The US average is 2.72%, resulting in California having a rank of 2nd worst in the US for energy loss efficiency.

Solar Taxes And Rebates

Motivating private citizens to consider installing solar panels can definitely be a challenge due to prohibitive initial costs. Governments can help the cause by passing legislation for tax breaks and rebates for those who purchase solar panels. California currently does not offer a state tax credit for solar panel installation at a private residence. While there are no state sponsored rebates there are local rebates available to many consumers who wish to install solar panels at their home. Fortunately, California offers a 100% tax exemption to consumers. at their residence. Homeowners in the state do not have access to a sales tax exemption when installing solar panels.

State Level Initiatives

Consumers seeking electricity plans that use renewable fuels will benefit from statewide legislation that encourage green energy usage. States that have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) have requirements in place for all electric providers who sell electricity in the state. These standards require that a percentage of electricity must be generated from renewable energy. Electricity suppliers in the state of California are required to produce at least 25% of their output using renewable fuel sources. In addition, low income solar programs are another way states encourage renewable fuels and the state of California is home to one such program.

FAQ: Common Questions About Energy in California

Where does California get its electricity?

The main fuels used for electricity generation in California are Natural Gas (49.03%), Solar (16.92%) and Conventional Hydroelectric (9.30%).

How much does electricity cost in California?

The average electricity rate paid by consumers in California in 2021 is 21.33 cents per kilowatt hour.