Why are Your Utility Bills on the Rise?

Capacity market prices across the PJM region have skyrocketed, clearing at an incredible $269.92 per megawatt-day, a nine-fold jump from the previous year at $29.99. This surge signals a grid under severe strain as data-center demand rapidly consumes reserve capacity, triggering billions in required upgrades just to maintain reliability. As a result, utility costs in the region are already projected to rise by 8.5% in 2026, with long-term forecasts warning that rate increases could reach a staggering 70% as early as 2029 if new transmission and generation aren’t built quickly enough. Without swift investment, the region faces the very real threat of brownouts, blackouts, and runaway energy bills.

For homeowners in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, the impact begins almost immediately. Utilities are preparing for rate hikes of 5%–24%, hitting the supply portion of your bill—the actual cost of electricity production. The smartest defense is going solar. By generating your own power and benefiting from net-metering credits, you protect your home from volatile utility pricing and lock in long-term energy savings. In a grid facing steep and accelerating price pressure, solar offers stability, independence, and a shield against the coming surge.