Understanding PG&E Solar and Battery Incentives

Harnessing solar power and storing energy using home batteries not only helps reduce fossil fuel consumption but can significantly diminish your carbon footprint. By making use of these systems, customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) can lower their monthly electricity bills, boost their home resale value, and ensure power continuity during outages. PG&E, a prominent energy company, has been serving around 16 million people in California for over 115 years and has a range of incentives for those keen on going green.

Understanding PG&E Incentives

PG&E offers a variety of incentives for customers looking to invest in solar power and battery storage systems. From solar storage batteries to rebates for installing solar systems in new homes, these incentives are designed to make the transition to renewable energy more affordable. Additionally, if you live in a designated high fire-threat district, or have experienced public safety power shut-offs, you may qualify for free or discounted solar storage batteries through the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP).

For income-qualified customers, PG&E also offers the Single-family Affordable Solar Homes (SASH) program and the Disadvantaged Communities - Single-family Solar Homes (DAC-SASH) program, which provide additional incentives to make solar power more accessible and affordable.

The Solar-Battery System Benefit

PG&E customers who install a solar-battery system can benefit from the energy generated by their solar panels, which can be stored in the home battery. If you don't have a battery, you would need to sell surplus solar energy back to the grid at lower rates than the retail price of electricity. A battery can help store this surplus, reducing the need to buy electricity from PG&E during peak pricing hours.

PG&E's Solar Program: A Two-Way System

PG&E has a solar program which allows solar energy generated from your own system to be used to power your home, stored in a home battery, or sold back to the electricity grid. If you sell power back to the grid, this energy goes against the cost of the retail electricity you use when you cannot supply yourself with enough solar energy, which is known as net metering. This way, you can offset your electric bill to near zero.

PG&E's SGIP: Battery Incentive Program

PG&E offers the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP), which provides free or discounted solar storage batteries for those who qualify. To be eligible, you must live in a high fire-threat district or have experienced a public safety power shutoff event at least three times. Other qualifications include having life-supporting medical equipment, using water from an electric well pump, or meeting specific income-qualified criteria.

PG&E's Solar Incentives

In addition to SGIP, PG&E offers several incentive programs that aim to reduce the upfront costs associated with solar system installations.

In summary, PG&E provides a comprehensive suite of incentives to make solar and battery technology more accessible. These programs can help you transition to renewable energy, reducing both your carbon footprint and monthly bills. An energy advisor from EnergyPal can help you navigate these incentives and help determine which best suit your needs.