Straight Answers

Should I Be on PSEG Long Island's Time-of-Day Rate With Solar?

PSEG Long Island moved most homes to a Time-of-Day rate. If you have solar, or are getting it, here's what that means for you.

By Steve Maroney, founder of Power House Home Energy · Updated October 2026

The short answer

For most solar homeowners without a battery, we recommend PSEG Long Island's flat Rate 180. PSEG moved most accounts to its Time-of-Day rate (Rate 194), which charges the most from 3–7pm on weekdays, exactly when solar production is fading and homes use the most power. On the flat rate, your solar credits are simpler to track and easier to use. You can opt out of Time-of-Day by calling PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0025. If you have a battery set up to cover the peak window, Time-of-Day can work in your favor.

How PSEG Long Island's Time-of-Day rate works

Peak: 3–7pm weekdays

Electricity costs the most during this four-hour window, Monday through Friday. Federal holidays count as off-peak.

Off-peak: everything else

All other weekday hours, plus every hour of Saturday, Sunday and federal holidays.

PSEG Long Island's rate plans on your bill: Rate 194 is the standard Time-of-Day (Off-Peak) rate, Rate 195 is the Super Off-Peak rate, and Rate 180 is the flat rate. Homes heated by a heat pump on Rate 580 were not part of the move.

Why we usually recommend the flat rate with solar

Solar peaks at midday; the rate peaks at 3–7pm. Without a battery, you're drawing from the grid during the most expensive hours.

Credits are harder to use. Moving solar credits between Time-of-Day rate periods is genuinely difficult, and mistakes are hard to correct after the fact.

Simplicity. On a flat rate, every kilowatt-hour your panels produce is worth the same, and you don't have to watch the clock to run the dryer or charge an EV.

When Time-of-Day makes sense

If you have a battery set up to power your home from 3–7pm and recharge from solar, you avoid the expensive hours almost entirely, and Time-of-Day can outperform the flat rate. That's a decision to make as part of your system design, with your real usage in front of you.

How to check your rate and switch

Look for the rate code on your PSEG Long Island bill: 194 or 195 means Time-of-Day; 180 means flat.

To opt out of Time-of-Day, call PSEG Long Island at 800-490-0025, or use the opt-out link in the notice PSEG emailed you.

If you're getting solar with us, we review your rate plan as part of your proposal and tell you which one fits.

Rate plans and terms are set by PSEG Long Island and can change. We'll confirm the right plan for your home during your energy review. See also our full Time-of-Day guide.

Common questions

Should I be on Time-of-Day rates with solar on Long Island?

For most homeowners with solar and no battery, PSEG Long Island's flat Rate 180 is the better fit. The Time-of-Day peak runs from 3–7pm on weekdays, when solar output is fading and household use is highest. With a battery set up to cover the peak, Time-of-Day can work well.

What are PSEG Long Island's peak hours?

On the standard Time-of-Day rate, peak hours are 3pm to 7pm, Monday through Friday. All other hours, including every Saturday, Sunday and federal holiday, are off-peak.

How do I switch back to PSEG Long Island's flat rate?

Call PSEG Long Island customer service at 800-490-0025 and ask for Rate 180, or use the opt-out link in the email PSEG sent about the change.

Which PSEG Long Island rate am I on?

Check the rate code on your bill. Rate 194 is the standard Time-of-Day rate, Rate 195 is Super Off-Peak, and Rate 180 is the flat rate.

Keep reading:Do I need a battery? →Time-of-Day guide →How much does solar cost? →Is solar worth it? →