Kansas City's utility landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. Evergy is rolling out four new time-based rate plans that are poised to influence every customer's utility bill, including those with solar installations. The emphasis is now placed on the "when" of energy consumption, making every hour count.

Understanding the Time-Based Rate Dynamic

The essence of time-based rate plans lies in differential pricing. Energy consumed during off-peak hours, which comprise 20 hours of the day, is billed at a lower rate. Conversely, energy used during peak hours (4-8 pm) comes at a premium. The key to economical consumption is strategically shifting energy-intensive tasks to off-peak hours. This was the change that was voluntarily made by Evergy, after an outcry from customers who disagreed with the claims that these rate plans are expected to save Evergy customers money. But the change did come with a cost, the Missouri Public Service Commission approved Evergys request to instate a 12-month waiting period for customers wishing to switch back to a time-based rate plan once they've left it. and Evergy customers in Kansas aren’t immune to the price changes either.

Kansas Customers haven’t seen the same increases that Missouri as more than $232 million in merger credits were returned to customers. Mostly because of a court ruling as Evergy was illegally charging extra fees for solar customers. According to Evergy “despite record U.S. inflation of more than 21.5% since 2017, Evergy’s Kansas rates have remained well under inflation and steady over the same period.” Including today’s rate settlement, Evergy’s Kansas rates have increased only 1% since 2017. That is in contrast with neighboring states, where during the same period regional rates increased 12.7%. Costs for residential customers in Evergy Kansas Central, which includes Topeka, Pittsburg, Wichita, Hutchinson and other communities in the eastern third of the state, will increase about 4.05%,

Understanding Time-Based Energy Plans

Time-based energy schemes, also recognized as time-of-use (TOU) or demand-driven pricing, offer varied electricity rates contingent on the time and day. You can read more about these plans here. If you didn’t pick a plan Prior to October 2, 2023 you were put on the default plan.

The Solar Customer's Perspective

Solar customers, especially those under net metering, will transition to the Peak Reward Saver plan come fall 2023. In other words that’s a 23.6% increase in kWh rate, from 12.6 cents to 15.6 cents, is anticipated. But here’s the catch - the sun has got most of your bills covered, cushioning solar customers from the brunt of the increase, meaning this increase will only affect the portion of your bill that remains with Evergy. Net metering customers are set to witness a unique dynamic. While the rate increase is undeniable, the solar offset balances the equation. The energy your solar system produces reduces reliance on the grid, especially during peak hours. The energy you feed back into the grid during off-peak times further offsets costs, creating a balanced, cost-effective energy consumption landscape.

5 Reasons Why Going Solar is a Game-Changer for Evergy Customers:

1. Cost Efficiency: Solar systems translate to minimal reliance on the grid during peak hours, ensuring savings. The sun powers your home, keeping your bills low.

2. Net Metering Benefits: Solar customers enjoy the privilege of feeding excess energy back to the grid. It’s a give-and-take that keeps the energy bill balanced.

3. Energy Independence: With solar, you're not just a consumer but a producer of energy. It places control back in your hands, making you less vulnerable to rate changes.

4. Environmental Stewardship: Beyond the economics, each solar panel installed is a step towards a greener, sustainable future, reducing the carbon footprint.

5. Enhanced Property Value: Solar installations augment property value. It’s an investment that pays dividends, both in the immediate and long-term.

Here are two crucial terms for Kansas City denizens to be familiar with:

• Peak Hours: These are time slots with maximum electricity consumption, typically late afternoon to early evening. Due to high demand, electricity is costlier during these hours.

• Off-Peak Hours: Periods of reduced electricity demand, generally during the night and early dawn. Rates during these times are more economical, encouraging customers to utilize energy-intensive devices during these hours.

Evergy has introduced four different plans for its Missouri patrons:

• Summer Peak Time Based Plan (formerly Standard Peak Saver) – Previously this was the default plan; prices rise significantly between 4 pm-8 pm on weekdays from June to September.

• Default Time Based Plan (formerly Peak Reward Saver) – Advises minimal energy use between 4 pm and 8 pm daily. This plan is about 15.6 cents per kWh, not counting FAC, RASRAM, or DSIM charges, learn more about those here here: Evergy bill definitions. For a lot of residents this signifies a jump from 12.6 cents to 15.6 cents, 3 cents per kWh or in other words a 23.8% increase, making a $200 electric bill $247.

• Nights & Weekends Saver (no change)– Varied prices based on day, time, and season.

• Nights & Weekends Max Saver (no change) – Designed for adaptable energy users and electric vehicle owners.

Why Helio GreenTech?

For Evergy customers contemplating the solar route or existing solar customers eyeing optimization, Helio GreenTech is your trusted partner. We navigate you through the complexities of time-based rates, ensuring your solar installation is not just a green step, but also a economically strategic one. Tailored solutions, customer-centric approaches, and an unwavering commitment to quality define our ethos.

In the evolving landscape of utility rates, solar energy stands as a bastion of predictability and sustainability. Join hands with Helio GreenTech, where we convert solar potential into tangible, everyday savings and independence. Make the sun your ally in the face of changing utility landscapes.

Contact Helio GreenTech for personalized solar solutions and step into a world where energy is green, sustainable, and economically empowering.

Get a free quote today to see what your savings could look like!