Shielding Yourself from Rising Energy Costs: Solar, Batteries, and Utility Assistance Programs

We’ve all felt the sting of opening a monthly electricity bill, but for Arizona residents, that sting is rapidly turning into a severe financial burden – one that is only getting more and more real every year. .

If you feel like your energy bills are constantly climbing, you aren't imagining things. In 2024, APS customers absorbed an approved 8% rate increase. Now, hold onto your wallets, because APS is going in front of the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) this year to push for yet another rate hike of 14%.

What is driving this relentless surge in prices? Look no further than our exploding population and the booming data center industry. Over the last decade, Maricopa County has become one of the top migration destinations in the nation, bringing a massive influx of new residents. At the same time, Arizona has transformed into a premier global hub for data centers—facilities that possess an unquenchable thirst for electricity. Together, this rapid population growth and massive corporate demand are putting an unprecedented strain on our local grid, forcing billion-dollar infrastructure upgrades. Unfortunately, everyday residents are the ones being asked to foot the bill to keep those corporate servers humming.

With utility companies passing the buck to consumers, finding ways to protect your wallet is more important than ever.

The Ultimate Shield: Solar and Batteries

For homeowners, the absolute best way to shield yourself from these unpredictable, double-digit rate hikes is by generating and storing your own electricity from Arizona’s most abundant natural resource – the sun. Adopting solar and battery storage dramatically reduces your reliance on the grid and locks your home into predictable energy costs.

Best of all, today’s zero-down lease and financing options have made solar and battery technology accessible to almost anyone with reasonable credit. There is little reason not to shield yourself from the anxiety that comes with the absolute certainty of climbing energy costs. After all, you’re going to be paying someone for electricity no matter what. You can continue sending your money to the utility company every month, or you can put that money toward your own personal power plant—potentially even owning it outright down the road. You get to enjoy dramatically cheaper electricity along the way, all while insulating yourself from nearly annual rate hikes.

Read about flexible financing options: Power Your Home. Pay Your Way

Utility Assistance: Relief for Those Who Need It Most

But what if solar isn't an option for you right now? Maybe you rent your home, live on a tight fixed income, or your credit score just isn’t quite where it needs to be yet.

The good news is that you still have a direct path to relief. Both SRP (Salt River Project) and APS (Arizona Public Service) offer excellent income-qualified support programs designed to provide immediate, tangible savings on your monthly bills. If you are struggling to keep up with these aggressive rate hikes, these programs can act as a crucial safety net.

Here is a summary of the assistance programs available and exactly how you can qualify.

SRP: The Income-Qualified Discount™

If you are an SRP customer, the SRP Income-Qualified Discount™ provides a flat monthly credit on your electric bill based on your household size and income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

How the Discount Works:

• $35 Monthly Credit: Available to customers whose household income is between 0% and 150% of the FPL. (For example, a 1-person household making up to $1,995/month, or a 4-person household making up to $4,125/month).
• $10 Monthly Credit: Available to customers whose household income is between 151% and 200% of the FPL. (For example, a 1-person household making up to $2,660/month, or a 4-person household making up to $5,500/month).

If your billed amount is less than the discount, your bill is simply reduced to $0 for that month. For customers on the SRP M-Power® prepaid program, the credit is applied on the 1st of each month.

How to Apply: You can enroll by filling out an online application on SRP's website, calling their customer resource line at (602) 236-8888, or mailing/faxing a downloaded application with proof of income. Customers must reapply annually to keep the discount active.

Source and full income charts: SRP Income-Qualified Discount

APS: The Energy Support Program

APS offers a heavily tiered discount structure through its Energy Support Program, which provides a percentage-based discount on your energy bills depending on your income level.

How the Discount Works:

• 25% Discount (Up to $95 off per month): Available for households with moderate-low incomes. (For example, a 1-person household earning up to $2,608/month, or a 4-person household earning up to $5,358/month).
• 60% Discount (Up to $165 off per month): Available for households with very low incomes. (For example, a 1-person household earning up to $991/month, or a 4-person household earning up to $2,036/month).

Additional APS Benefits:

• Medical Equipment Need: If you qualify for the Energy Support program and have critical medical equipment at home that requires electricity, you can enroll in the Energy Support with Medical Program. This bumps the lower-tier discount up to 35% (up to $95 off) or keeps the 60% discount (up to $165 off) while providing advanced notifications for planned power outages.
• Waived Fees: APS also waives the $2.65 convenience fee for debit/credit card payments for customers enrolled in these programs.

How to Apply: Customers must provide proof of income (such as recent pay stubs, W-2s, or public assistance award letters like SNAP/TANF) and can apply directly online or via mail. Enrollment lasts for 24 months before you are required to reapply.

Source and full income charts: APS Energy Support Program

Finding Your Path to Relief

Whether it's taking control of your energy production through a zero-down solar and battery lease, or tapping into the utility assistance programs designed to help those in need, there are proven ways to fight back against out-of-control utility bills. Don't let the thirst of data centers drain your budget—explore your solar options today, and if you need immediate help, see if you qualify for these valuable SRP and APS discounts.