Solar + Battery Owners
Resources for those who have solar & battery systems at home
Owner Resources
Have you already gone solar?
If you’re one of the millions already enjoying the benefits of clean, renewable energy via at-home solar, we can help you get the most out of your setup.
Power Payback
Get paid for your excess electricity
Would you like to make the most of the power you generate and don’t use? We pay you more than PG&E—about $1-2 monthly. It’s not a huge amount, but every penny counts. Why not get as much as you can?
Monthly true-up
If you’re like us, you don’t like surprises when it comes to energy and money. We believe you should get any money owed to you sooner rather than later. That’s why we do our true-ups monthly and not annually like PG&E. With our monthly true-up, you don’t have any end-of-year surprises.
Sample billing
If you’re a Solar Billing Plan or Net Energy Metering (NEM) customer, you may have months when you use more or less electricity than your solar panels generate. If you use more electricity than your panels generate, you’re a “net consumer” of electricity. If you use less electricity than your panels produce, you’re a “net producer” of electricity. It’s better to be a net producer than a net consumer.
If you’re a current solar customer, you can check your PG&E bill to see if you’re on Net Energy Metering (NEM) or Solar Billing Plan (SBP). If your solar application was approved after April 14, 2024, you’re probably on SBP. Click the buttons to learn more about these billing plans.
Solar Customers
Sample billing
Here is an example of a residential net consumer bill if you use more electricity than your panels generate and you have to pay for additional electricity. It compares what you pay for electricity if you're a PCE customer versus what you would pay if you were a PG&E customer.
ECO
plus
Monthly usage: *300 kWh / Summer Season
ECO
100
Monthly usage: *300 kWh / Summer Season
PG&E
Monthly usage: *300 kWh / Summer Season
**For PG&E NEM customers, billed charges are commonly settled on an annual basis with such customers subject to certain minimum monthly charges prior to the annual true-up process. In this example, the PG&E NEM customer would be sent a bill for approximately $10 (minimum monthly charge) with the balance of charges and credits tracked until the annual true-up period.
Solar true-up:
a straightforward explanation
Imagine your solar panels are like a mini electricity generation plant. When you make more electricity than you can use, your utility buys that excess energy from you. When your panels make less than you use, you buy electricity from your utility. This entire transaction is done over the grid.
To keep track of how much you sold to the utility and how much you bought from your utility, the utility regularly balances that account by doing what’s called a true-up. A true-up calculates the difference between the electricity your panels generated and the electricity you used.
We avoid end-of-year surprises by truing-up your account monthly. If you were with PG&E, you would have to true-up annually.
If you generated more than you consumed, you'll receive a credit or refund.
If you consumed more than you generated, you'll be billed for the difference.
For example:
- Let's say your panels generated 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in a year.
- You used 800 kWh.
- You have 200 kWh of unused electricity.
- At true-up, you'll receive a credit or refund equivalent to the value of those 200 kWh.
Adding Battery Storage & Backup
Achieve energy independence and even more savings
As a solar owner, you’re already ahead of the curve toward lessening the impact of rising energy costs, reducing your reliance on the grid, and doing your part for a more sustainable future. Here’s how adding batteries to your system can significantly amplify all those benefits.
Go All-Electric
How to get even more out of your solar investment
By owning solar, you have future-proofed your home. With California working to remove natural gas from residential and commercial buildings over the next several years, your solar system will continue to pay off in big ways.
Now is the time to take the next step and continue electrifying your home by replacing your old gas appliances. We know this can be costly and sometimes stressful, so we have rebates, incentives, financing, and installation partners to make it as easy and affordable as possible.
Our support extends to projects to upgrade to electric water heaters, cooktops, HVAC, EVs, chargers, batteries, and more.
Testimonials
What your neighbors are saying about going all-electric?
Here are some videos of PCE customers sharing their journeys to creating a clean electricity ecosystem right at home.
The Wilcox Home
An all-electric home
Local resident Michael Wilcox shares the economics of moving toward an all-electric home, plus some pleasant surprises he had along the way.
The Garcia-Mendez home
(al español with subtitles)
Menlo Park resident Margarita Mendez shares how rebates made going electric more affordable than she thought, and how she’s saving money in a home that is now and how her home is even more comfortable, while also saving money.
The Szeto home
Using a 100 amp panel
Are you being told that you have to increase your main electrical panel to something more that 100 amps? The Szetos converted to all electric, added solar and a battery, and accomplished all of this with a 100-Amp electric service.
Solar, Batteries, and Electrification FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Adding batteries to your solar system is like having a personal energy bank.
It allows you to store excess solar energy generated during the day for use during the night or cloudy days.
This can significantly reduce your reliance on the grid, save you money on electricity bills, and even provide backup power during outages.
According to a recent study, homeowners with solar plus storage systems saw an average of 20% lower electricity bills compared to those with solar only.
Start by evaluating your household’s energy usage and backup needs, then match that to the battery capacity. If you’re not sure, a good rule of thumb is to start with 10 kWh for essential loads and 20+ kWh for more extensive coverage.
The cost of adding batteries to your solar system will vary depending on the size of your system, the type of batteries you choose, and any available incentives or rebates.
However, the price of batteries has been declining steadily in recent years, making it more affordable than ever to invest in energy storage.
As a general rule of thumb, expect to spend anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a basic battery system.
There are several types of batteries commonly used in residential solar systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
The most popular options include lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, and flow batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries are known for their long lifespan, high energy density, and low maintenance requirements.
Lead-acid batteries are more affordable but have a shorter lifespan and require regular maintenance.
Flow batteries are a newer technology that offers high storage capacity and deep discharge capabilities.
The lifespan of your batteries will depend on factors such as the type of batteries you choose, how frequently you use them, and how well they are maintained.
Lithium-ion batteries typically have a lifespan of 10-15 years, while lead-acid batteries may last for 5-7 years.
Flow batteries are still a relatively new technology, but they are expected to have a lifespan of 20 years or more.
Yes, adding batteries to your solar system can significantly increase the value of your home.
According to a recent study, homes with solar plus storage systems sold for an average of 4% more than similar homes without batteries.
This is because buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient and sustainable homes that can provide backup power during outages.
Replacing your gas appliances with electric or heat pump appliances can offer several benefits, including:
- Improved indoor air quality: Gas appliances can release harmful pollutants into your home, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. Electric and heat pump appliances produce cleaner air.
- Potential energy savings: Depending on your use and the efficiency of your new appliances, you may be able to save money on your energy bills.
- Incentives: PCE as well as the state and federal governments offer rebates, tax credits and financing for replacing gas appliances with electric or heat pump appliances.
The cost of replacing your gas appliances will depend on the specific appliances you need to replace, the efficiency of the new appliances, and any incentives you take advantage of.
However, the cost of electric and heat pump appliances has been declining in recent years, making them more affordable than ever.
There are a variety of electric and heat pump appliances available, including:
- Electric ranges and cooktops: These appliances are powered by electricity and offer a variety of cooking options, including induction, radiant, and ceramic.
- Heat pump water heaters: These appliances use electricity to extract heat from the air and transfer it to water, resulting in significant energy savings.
- Electric dryers: Electric dryers are more efficient than gas dryers and can help reduce your energy consumption.
- Heat pump space heaters: These appliances can provide both heating and cooling, making them a versatile option for your home.
The payback period for your investment in new appliances will depend on several factors, including the efficiency of the appliances, your energy rates, and any incentives you qualify for.
However, many homeowners find that they can recoup their investment in energy-efficient appliances within a few years.
Yes, replacing your gas appliances with electric or heat pump appliances can increase the value of your home.
Buyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient and sustainable homes, and having modern, efficient appliances can make your home more attractive to potential buyers.
Resources & Support
Get even more support for solar and electrification
Find rebates and financing for:
Learn about switching from gas to electric:
Newsletter
Keeping up with PCE
Would you like to stay informed about PCE’s efforts to bring clean, affordable electricity to your home?
