Generic Default
Aluminum
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2016
- Location
- Wilmington / Long Beach
I set up shop in Wilmington, CA (near Long Beach port) a few months ago to build machines. Before starting this business I thoroughly researched all of the operational expenses; rent, electric, water, machine payments, ect. I expected to pay 15-20 cents per kWh.
I had to put down a $1,100 electric deposit with LADWP based on the usage of the previous tenant. I thought this was high, but I didn't know what exactly they were doing so I figured it was a one time expense with no alternative.
My electric bills for the last two months have averaged out to about $0.47 per kilowatt hour. The average house in this region uses around 900 kWh per month and my shop is using less than half of that. The average residential rate is around $0.18 per kWh in southern California.
So I'm paying 4-5 times the national average for electricity, and I realized this is literally the highest in the world (except for a few small island nations). I know many forum members here have shops in the LA/soCal area; are you guys also paying this ridiculous rate?
I'd like to know if anyone on this forum has gotten solar panels or any alternative to grid power for their shop. I'm seriously considering buying some solar + big battery system but I need 3 phase 220v. I know the return on investment is a debatable subject, but I think that's for people paying a normal electric rate. Anyone have any ideas or experience with this?
Between this and the tariffs, it seems like much of my business planning was a waste of time.
I had to put down a $1,100 electric deposit with LADWP based on the usage of the previous tenant. I thought this was high, but I didn't know what exactly they were doing so I figured it was a one time expense with no alternative.
My electric bills for the last two months have averaged out to about $0.47 per kilowatt hour. The average house in this region uses around 900 kWh per month and my shop is using less than half of that. The average residential rate is around $0.18 per kWh in southern California.
So I'm paying 4-5 times the national average for electricity, and I realized this is literally the highest in the world (except for a few small island nations). I know many forum members here have shops in the LA/soCal area; are you guys also paying this ridiculous rate?
I'd like to know if anyone on this forum has gotten solar panels or any alternative to grid power for their shop. I'm seriously considering buying some solar + big battery system but I need 3 phase 220v. I know the return on investment is a debatable subject, but I think that's for people paying a normal electric rate. Anyone have any ideas or experience with this?
Between this and the tariffs, it seems like much of my business planning was a waste of time.