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PG&E Proposes 22% Rate Hike. Are you ready to get a solar quote now?

October 19, 2023

3 Minute Read

PG&E Announcement on Rate Hikes

I was doing some casual reading about the solar industry, searching for articles about utilities and cost rises throughout the nation when I came across this one, right here in beautiful California. Well, it shouldn't really be a surprise to those of us that live in the Golden State with all the recent fires that have devastated communities for the past few years. Couple that with evidence that the utility company was to blame in some of the incidents and their main source of revenue comes from us the consumer-- we are all in this together having to pay to legal bills. Actually, that isn't necessarily true if you switch to solar, right?

Here's a summary of the news on the proposed rate hike. If you are a PG&E customer in Northern California, the utility company has asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a 22% increase in rates, which would take effect in 2024. PG&E says it needs more revenue to cover the costs of inflation, wholesale natural gas prices, and risk reduction projects, such as burying power lines underground to prevent wildfires.

CPUC Response

However, not everyone is convinced that PG&E's proposal is justified or fair. The CPUC has countered with a lower increase of 12%, which would still allow some undergrounding but also focus on insulating power lines. Customer advocates have argued that both proposals are too high and would burden customers who are already struggling with high energy costs. They have also questioned PG&E's track record of safety and reliability, especially after the company's equipment was found to have caused several devastating wildfires in recent years.

The CPUC is expected to make a decision on PG&E's rate request at its next meeting on Nov. 2. Until then, customers can voice their opinions and concerns by contacting the CPUC or attending public hearings. As a former PG&E customer myself (of course, I have a solar system on my home now!), I hope that the CPUC will balance the need for safety and reliability with the affordability and fairness of rates. I also hope that PG&E will be more transparent and accountable for its spending and performance.

But while we wait for the CPUC's decision, there is another option that you can consider: investing in solar energy. Solar energy systems can generate significant electricity savings while reducing reliance on the grid. The state's net metering program allows solar owners to receive credits for excess electricity they generate, further enhancing financial benefits. This is known an NEM 3.0 (take a look at NEM 3.0 info here).

Options to Go Solar Look Even Better

California also offers various incentives for solar energy, such as tax credits, rebates, financing options, and property tax exemptions. These incentives can lower the upfront cost of solar panels and increase the return on investment over time. According to Forbes, California solar incentives can save homeowners up to 50% on their solar panel costs. As the writing of this article, California still has funds available to homeowners purchasing new solar panels such that instant rebates of $26,400 can be applied to Tesla Powerwall Batteries. The details for application of this program can be pretty complicated. I have heard that many companies aren't even discussing this when quoting solar because of the complexity. We go to great lengths to help see if you qualify. We know how awesome solar batteries can be in adding value to your solar system. Check out some of the qualifying details right here on our website.

Solar energy is not only good for our wallets, but also for our environment and health. Solar energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, which contribute to climate change and respiratory diseases. Solar energy also supports local jobs and economic growth, as California is home to many solar companies and manufacturers.

What Renewable Solutions Can Do To Help

With PG&E's rate hike looming, now is a great time to explore investing in solar energy. Solar energy can help us save money, protect the environment, and gain energy independence. If you are interested in going solar, you can start by getting quotes from different solar companies and comparing their offers. Are you ready to make yourself the utility company, keep your rates in check for the next 25+ years, and relax knowing that rate hikes are no longer your concern? Put us to work getting a solar estimate put together for you. Click here to request a quote today!

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Let's Make Sense of Nem 3.0

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NEM 3.0: A New Era for Solar in California Net energy metering (NEM) is a policy that allows solar customers to offset their electricity bills by sending excess solar power back to the grid. NEM has been a major driver of solar adoption in California, and it has helped to make the state a leader in clean energy. In December 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved NEM 3.0, a new version of the NEM program. NEM 3.0 makes some significant changes to the way that solar customers are compensated for their excess energy, and it is expected to have a major impact on the solar industry in California. What is NEM 3.0? NEM 3.0 is based on a concept called "avoided cost," which means that solar customers are compensated for the amount of energy that they save the utility. This is in contrast to NEM 2.0, which was based on a concept called "retail rate," which meant that solar customers were compensated for the amount of energy that they exported to the grid at the same rate that they paid for electricity. The avoided cost rate is lower than the retail rate, which means that solar customers will receive less compensation for their excess energy under NEM 3.0. However, NEM 3.0 also includes a number of new benefits for solar customers, such as: A 20-year grandfathering period for customers who install solar before April 15, 2023. This means that these customers will be able to keep their NEM 2.0 rates for 20 years, even after NEM 3.0 goes into effect. A new demand charge credit for solar customers with battery storage. This credit will help to offset the cost of the demand charge, which is a fee that utilities charge customers based on their peak electricity usage. A new program called the Solar Self-Generation Incentive Program (SSIG). This program will provide financial assistance to low-income customers who install solar. How will NEM 3.0 affect solar adoption in California? The impact of NEM 3.0 on solar adoption in California is still uncertain. Some experts believe that the lower compensation rates under NEM 3.0 will discourage some people from installing solar, while others believe that the new benefits under NEM 3.0, such as the 20-year grandfathering period and the demand charge credit, will offset the lower compensation rates. It is also important to note that NEM 3.0 is only one factor that will affect solar adoption in California. Other factors, such as the cost of solar panels and the availability of financing, will also play a role. Overall, NEM 3.0 is a significant change to the NEM program in California. It is too early to say what the long-term impact of NEM 3.0 will be, but it is clear that it will have a major impact on the solar industry in the state.

What can solar batteries do?

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What Can Solar Batteries Do? Solar batteries are a relatively new technology, but they are quickly becoming more popular as people look for ways to reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on their energy bills. Solar batteries can do a lot of things, but here are some of the most common: Store excess solar energy. Solar panels produce electricity during the day, but most people use more electricity at night. Solar batteries can store excess solar energy during the day and then use it to power your home at night. This can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your energy bills. Provide backup power during outages. If there is a power outage, your solar panels will stop producing electricity. However, if you have a solar battery, you can still power your home from the stored energy. This can be a lifesaver during a power outage, especially if you have medical devices or other essential appliances that need electricity. Increase your self-consumption. Self-consumption is the amount of electricity that you generate from your solar panels and use in your home. Solar batteries can help you increase your self-consumption by storing excess solar energy during the day and using it at night. This can help you reduce your reliance on the grid and save money on your energy bills. Earn money from the grid. In some states, you can earn money by selling excess solar energy back to the grid. Solar batteries can help you maximize your earnings by storing excess solar energy during the day and then selling it back to the grid at night.

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How Long Should a Solar System Work?

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Purchasing Solar Energy for Your Home Should be a Long Term Investment Solar panels are a great way to generate clean, renewable energy for your home or business. But how long should you expect a solar system to work? The lifespan of a solar system depends on a number of factors, including the quality of the solar panels, the climate you live in, and how well you maintain your system. However, most solar panels are expected to last for 25-30 years. In the first few years of operation, solar panels will produce the most electricity. The amount of electricity they produce will then decline gradually over time. After 25-30 years, solar panels will still produce some electricity, but they may not be able to meet all of your energy needs. There are a few things you can do to extend the lifespan of your solar system: Choose high-quality solar panels. There is a wide range of quality in solar panels. It is important to choose panels from a reputable manufacturer with a good warranty. Install your solar system properly. A well-installed solar system will be more likely to last for the long term. Maintain your solar system regularly. This includes cleaning the solar panels and inspecting the system for any damage. By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your solar system will work for many years to come. Here are some additional factors that can affect the lifespan of a solar system: Weather conditions. Solar panels can be damaged by extreme weather conditions, such as hail, snow, and high winds. If you live in an area with harsh weather, it is important to choose solar panels that are designed for your climate. Solar irradiance. The amount of sunlight that your solar panels receive will affect their output. If you live in an area with low solar irradiance, your solar panels may not produce as much electricity as they would in an area with high solar irradiance. Shading. Solar panels that are shaded will produce less electricity than solar panels that are in full sunlight. If your solar panels are shaded by trees or buildings, you may need to trim the trees or install shades to improve their output. Overall, solar panels are a long-lasting investment that can save you money on your energy bills for many years to come. By choosing high-quality solar panels, installing them properly, and maintaining them regularly, you can help to ensure that your solar system will work for many years to come.

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