APS Time-of-Use Rates Decoded: How to Save $100+/Month with Smart Energy
APS Time-of-Use pricing means the cost of electricity changes throughout the day. Understanding these rates is the key to maximizing your solar and battery savings.
APS Saver Choice Plus Rates (2026)
| Period | Summer (May-Oct) | Winter (Nov-Apr) | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | $0.3439/kWh | $0.2145/kWh | 4-7pm weekdays |
| Off-Peak | $0.1235/kWh | $0.1035/kWh | Most other hours |
| Super Off-Peak | $0.0935/kWh | $0.0935/kWh | 10am-3pm (solar window!) |
| Export (Net Billing) | $0.076/kWh | Any time | |
The Key Insight: The Spread
The difference between peak and off-peak rates is your opportunity. In summer:
- Peak to off-peak spread: $0.2204/kWh — battery owners charge cheap, discharge expensive
- Peak to super off-peak spread: $0.2504/kWh — even better if you charge during solar hours
- Self-consumption vs export gap: $0.267/kWh — every kWh you use yourself is worth 4.5x what APS pays for your exports
Strategy 1: Shift Usage (Free, No Equipment)
Run dishwashers, laundry, pool pumps, and EV charging during off-peak or super off-peak hours. Avoid running the dryer or oven from 4-7pm. This alone can save $30-$60/month.
Strategy 2: Solar Self-Consumption (Requires Solar)
Solar produces most energy from 10am-3pm — during super off-peak when grid power is only $0.0935/kWh. Without a battery, excess solar exports at just $0.076/kWh. The solar is more valuable when you use it yourself during peak hours.
Strategy 3: Battery Arbitrage (Requires Battery)
This is the big win. Your battery charges during off-peak ($0.1235) and discharges during peak ($0.3439). For a 13.5 kWh battery at 90% efficiency, that's about $2.68/day in summer — or roughly $60/month from arbitrage alone.
Add VPP earnings ($12-$42/month) and you're looking at $70-$100/month in battery value. Use our battery calculator to see your exact numbers.
The Bottom Line
APS TOU rates create a natural arbitrage opportunity. The wider the peak/off-peak spread, the more valuable your battery becomes. Arizona's extreme summer demand drives some of the highest peak rates in the country — which is exactly what makes batteries so profitable here.