PG&E, or Pacific Gas & Electric Company, is a public utility company that provides electricity and natural gas to millions of customers in California. They has been a topic of controversy for many years due to its poor service to customers, lack of infrastructure upkeep, ever-increasing prices of electricity, and monopolistic tendencies. In this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at the total compensation of PG&E’s CEO Patricia K. Poppe and questioning whether it is truly justified.

According to recent reports, Patricia K. Poppe received a total compensation of $51.2 million in 2021. This includes her base salary of $1 million, bonuses, stock options, and other benefits. This amount is significantly higher than the average salary of a CEO in the utility industry, which is around $4 million.

Many critics have argued that this high compensation for the PG&E CEO is unjustified, especially considering the company’s track record with customer service, equipment negligence, and high cost. In recent years, PG&E has faced multiple lawsuits and fines due to its negligence in maintaining its infrastructure, resulting in wildfires and power outages that have left customers without electricity for days, weeks, months, or without a home at all.

Furthermore, the cost of PG&E’s electricity has been steadily increasing over the years, with some customers seeing their bills double or even triple. This has caused significant financial strain on many households, especially low-income families.

So why is Patricia K. Poppe receiving such a high compensation when the company’s service to customers has been continuously poor and the cost of electricity continues to rise? Some may argue that her leadership and decisions have led to improvements in the company’s operations. However, many critics believe that this compensation is excessive and unjustified.

In addition, it raises questions about how much PG&E spends on marketing and whether their priorities lie more in promoting their brand (and protecting their shareholders) rather than providing quality service to customers. This can be seen as a reflection of the corporate culture at PG&E, where profit and image are prioritized over the well-being of their customers.

As a consumer, it’s important to hold companies accountable for their actions and decisions. This begs the question: why are you not investing in yourself and your family and going solar? Solve your PG&E problem and learn more about solar today.

The cost-saving benefits of solar energy have been well-known for years. From reducing your carbon footprint to cutting down on monthly energy bills, solar power is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. However, with the introduction of the Net Billing Tariff (NBT) program, many homeowners are now looking towards batteries to maximize their savings on solar energy. In this blog post, we’ll explore the ins and outs of the NBT program and how adding a battery to your solar system can help you save even more.

Under the NBT program, Pacific Gas and Electric (PGE) pays homeowners wholesale rates for any excess electricity their solar systems generate and sell back to the grid. In return, PGE charges them retail rates for any electricity they purchase from the grid. The catch? The price PGE pays changes throughout the day, with the lowest rates paid when PGE needs the least amount of electricity and the highest rates paid when PGE needs the most.

This is where batteries come in. Solar panels typically generate electricity during the day, when energy prices are at their lowest, and homeowners tend to use the most energy in the evening, when electricity rates are at their highest. By adding a battery to their solar system, homeowners can store excess electricity generated during the day and use it to power their homes during peak hours, when energy prices are highest. This can significantly reduce their reliance on the grid, and subsequently, their energy bills.

Moreover, the State of California designed the NBT program to encourage homeowners to install batteries. Because of the imbalance between the times when solar energy is produced and when homeowners use energy, grid charges (the charge for kilowatt hours) are never reduced to zero. Therefore, most solar designers aim to produce roughly 100% of a homeowner’s historic consumption using a solar system, with batteries acting as an effective way to store excess energy – to be discharged in the evening.

In addition to cost savings, installing a battery provides homeowners with greater energy independence. In California, power outages are becoming increasingly common due to wildfire preparedness measures, and having a battery backup ensures that your home will have a reliable power source during these disruptions. Furthermore, batteries offer greater control over your energy usage, allowing you to monitor your energy consumption and adjust accordingly to optimize your savings.

The NBT program has been a game-changer for homeowners looking to maximize their savings from solar energy. By adding a battery to their solar system, homeowners can reduce their reliance on the grid and save money on energy bills. Moreover, batteries offer greater energy independence and control over energy usage, making them an increasingly attractive addition to solar systems. If you’re considering investing in solar energy, be sure to explore the benefits of adding a battery to your system.

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) just approved a rate increase of 12.8% for residential customers. This increase was approved on 11-16-23 and is set to start January 1, 2024. If you are wondering how this affects you and what you can do about it, please give us a call at 833-321-SUNN (7866).

This12.8% increase is in addition to rate increases totaling about 35% since early 2021. You read that correctly, rates are up 48% in three years. If your average monthly bill was $400 in 2021, expect it to be about $592 in January of 2024.

This is the link to the press release from the CPUC:

https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/news-and-updates/all-news/cpuc-prioritizes-safety-reliability-and-affordability-in-pge-rate-case-2023#:~:text=For%20the%20typical%20residential%20customer,%2438.73%20or%2017.9%20percent%20increase.&text=Customers%20can%20expect%20any%20changes,effect%20on%20January%201%2C%202024

What Is A Main Panel Upgrade?

WHAT – A main panel upgrade (MPU) is a new main service panel (MSP). The MSP is the meter panel located on the side of your home where all of your individual branch circuits are located. It is also the point of interconnection with your utility company. Remember when the bathroom lights flickered and turned off because the hair dryer and straightener were on at the same time? The MSP is where you went to reset the breaker.

WHY – When going solar, main panels are upgraded for numerous reasons often boiling down to the size of the solar and battery system. Most MSP’s are limited to 40 amps of over production – often called the “120% rule”. The 120% rule explained: 200 amp rated MSP x 120% = 240 amps, less the main breaker of 200 amps leaves 40 amps for solar. If a solar system is rated to generate anything more than 40 amps, the main service panel will need to be upgraded (or DeRated – see next blog post).

Another reason for an MPU is the existing electrical hardware in the house is simply not fit for solar. This includes aging hardware, failing hardware, inadequate space for the solar and battery, etc. Also, a main panel upgrade is a great way to future proof your home for future electrical needs. The world is rapidly becoming more electrified and homes do not have adequate electrical hardware or amperage in place to service modern electrical systems. Just think about adding two electric vehicles in the next decade and how that might have an impact on a 50 year old MSP.

HOW – Our in-house staff conducts a detailed load calculation and analysis. This is done so we have a clear idea of the need and ultimate scope of the MPU. Sunriver Solar then works with your utility company and building department to get the appropriate permits and approvals prior to the MPU. A date will be scheduled with the utility company to turn off your power. Sunriver Solar will be on site the same day to remove your old main service panel and install the new one. All circuits will be wired in an appropriate manner per building code. A building official from the county building department will then inspect the work (same day) and sign off and place a green tag on the new main panel. After the work is inspected and “green tagged”, Sunriver Solar will call the utility company to have them turn your power back on. An MPU can be completed in half a day. However, we always tell our customers to plan for a full day without electricity because so many independent, busy, parties are involved.

WHO – Any solar customer can be a candidate for a main panel upgrade. If you are evaluating your own solar project and it aligns with the information above, you are likely a strong candidate for a main panel upgrade. Please be sure to ask your solar provider any questions. Be sure you understand the amperage rating of the new main service panel, the number of circuits that can be installed, and WHY an MPU is even necessary in the first place. Note that not all solar customers need an MPU, so ask questions.

Today marks an important milestone for Enphase Energy as it celebrates the opening of a new factory in West Columbia, South Carolina through a contract partnership with Flex. With this expansion comes the ability to produce products locally and more affordably than ever before. The event is set to take place on July 6, with President Joe Biden and other national and state government officials in attendance.

Enphase has earned a reputation for providing reliable and cost-effective solutions to their customers all over the world. By having production based out of the United States, they are able to reduce shipping costs and increase customer satisfaction. This new facility will enable them to expand production capabilities as well as provide hundreds of jobs for local citizens – something that has been lacking in recent years due to economic hardship.

The ceremony today is a testament to Enphase’s commitment to create clean energy solutions that can make a difference in the lives of people. With this new facility, they are one step closer to becoming a leader in providing innovative and cost-effective products for many years to come. President Biden’s presence at the event shows his support for the company’s efforts and recognizes their determination to build something great in South Carolina.

The opening of the Flex facility will allow Enphase Energy to continue innovating and developing their products as well as reaching new customers all over the world. As one of three U.S. manufacturing hubs, it will help Enphase achieve an annual production capacity of 4.8-7.2 GWAC of U.S. microinverters per year.

U.S. made Enphase microinverters are proudly sold, installed, and serviced by Sunriver Solar in California.

833-321-SUNN

Introduction

Probably the most common question we hear is “How much does solar cost?” Luckily the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) publishes an annual study answering just this question. The study is entitled “Tracking the Sun, Pricing and Design Trends for Distributed Photovoltaic Systems in the United States”. https://emp.lbl.gov/publications/tracking-sun-pricing-and-design

This is by far the best study and analysis of the data. It is both rigorous and comprehensive. This study was published most recently in November 2019 and studied prices in the 2nd half of 2018 and the 1st half of 2019.

Solar systems are typically priced on a per watt basis. For example, if you purchased a system for $24,000 and it had 20 – 300 watt panels for a total of 6000 watts, you paid $4 per watt ($24000/6000 watts = $4/watt).

Note that this is not the amount of electricity your system will produce which is a much more important number. The amount of electricity produced from any given system depends on size, orientation, tilt, location, weather patterns, and shade. Calculating production is a complex calculation best handled with software. This calculation is discussed in a separate companion article.

The Price of Solar

The most important variables in price for residential installations include location (the state in which the system is installed), inverter type (micro inverter, optimizers, or string inverter), and system size.

The LBNL study found that the median price for solar in the U.S. is $3.70 per watt. The study also found that the median price in California is 10 cents per watt higher than the national average. Adding micro inverters or optimizers adds another 10 cents per watt to the price. Finally, the survey was conducted one year ago, and prices have dropped over the year by 10 cents per watt. Summing these numbers results in a current median price in California for a system with micro inverters/optimizers of $3.80 per watt.

$3.80 per watt is the median price for the median size system. But few systems are exactly 6.4 kw (the median sized system in the study). System size affects price too. Larger systems cost less than smaller systems, primarily due to fixed costs being a larger part of the total cost for smaller systems. For example, in Northern California fixed costs include a $145 fee to PG&E, a building permit fee, drafting of permit ready plans, labor hours for a person to process the permit, and miscellaneous expenses. On average these fees total just under $1000 per system regardless of size. For a smaller system of 3000 watts, this would equal 33 cents per watt. For a larger system, say 12000 watts, this would equal 8 cents per watt.

The LBNL study presents averages. As with all home improvements, prices will vary with each particular installation. For example, if a service panel upgrade is required, this will increase costs. If the roof is a particularly complicated architecture, this too will increase costs.

Conclusion

For a median price system installed on an average home, you should expect to pay approximately $3.80 per watt. For smaller systems the cost per watt will generally be higher and for larger systems the price per watt will generally be lower.

Because each home is different, it is important to get at least 3 quotes. The proper way to compare proposals is to compare guaranteed production (not wattage), cost, the financial wherewithal of the component manufacturer (because they all offer 25 year warranties and you want to be sure they are around to honor the warranties), and the reputation of the installer. Then pick the installer with the best proposal and GO SOLAR. It is almost always cheaper than the utility company.

If you would like more information about adding solar to your home please go to https://www.sunriversolar.com/solar-specials and fill out the contact form or call us at (530) 798-4722.

The Advantages of Going Solar in California: An Introductory Guide

Are you tired of skyrocketing PG&E bills and looking for an alternative source of energy that is cost-effective and eco-friendly? Solar power is the perfect solution to your problems. By harnessing the power of the sun, you not only help the environment but also save thousands of dollars per year. In California, going solar is easier and more beneficial than ever before. In this blog post, we will highlight the many advantages of solar power in California.

Solar is a drastically cheaper than the utility company: It’s no secret that electricity bills can be a major expense in the average California household. By switching to solar power, you can dramatically reduce your energy bills and save money in the long run. There are also various tax incentives and rebates available in California for homeowners who invest in solar panels, making the initial cost of installation much more affordable. In fact, homeowners who install solar panels with battery storage typically see a payback period of 5-7 years.

Coupling solar with energy storage: Another significant advantage of going solar in California is the ability to couple solar panels with energy storage solutions. Battery technology has significantly improved over the years. Now homeowners can store excess energy generated by solar panels for use during peak hours or even during power outages by utilizing a battery. This further increases the value of solar system and provides homeowners with even more control over their energy usage and consumption.

Increase the value of your home: Installing solar panels on your property can significantly increase the value of your home. According to one study, adding a solar panel system increases a homes value by $15,000.00 (see here).

Reduce your carbon footprint: Solar power is not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly. By installing solar panels, you’re making a conscious effort to reduce your carbon footprint and be more environmentally sustainable. By using clean energy, you significantly reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment.

Rebates, Incentives and Tax Credits: Apart from the cost-effective benefits of going solar, there are financial incentives in California that make going solar even more worthwhile. For instance, the federal solar tax credit provides homeowners with a 30% credit for the cost of installing a solar panel system. EX: A solar system costs $25,000.00. 30% of the total spend or $7500.00 will come back to the homeowner in the form of a federal income tax credit (more info here). The state of California also has incentives for backup batteries (more info here). By going solar, you can save thousands on your energy bills while taking advantage of the tax and energy storage incentives available.

Going solar + battery storage is a smart investment for homeowners looking to save money on energy bills, increase the value of their homes, and reduce their carbon footprint. By harnessing the power of the sun, you’re not only contributing to a cleaner environment but also taking control of your energy usage. Take the first step towards a brighter future today. Give us a call to learn more.

If you would like a no obligation quote, please use our free quotation tool here.

833-321-SUNN (7866)

Northern California recently experienced it’s hottest period in recorded history. Sacramento shattered its previous record and reached a searing 116 degrees Fahrenheit on September 6th. PG&E customers and electricity users statewide were asked to conserve energy or risk the chance of rolling blackouts. Furthermore, utility companies asked electric vehicle (EV) owners to reduce the numbers of miles driven or not charge their cars during this period. You might be wondering, why did these blackouts not occur?

The answer is simple – the worlds largest distributed battery. According to CALSSA, “California had more than 80,000 customer-cited batteries connected to the electric grid capable of providing 900MW of solar power”. For perspective, a medium sized natural gas power plant is capable of producing 250MW. These batteries are pre-programmed to discharge at specific times during the day, often times when the need for electricity on the grid is greatest. These batteries reduce the strain on the grid and help keep the lights on for all Californians.

“Solar and storage homes and businesses are like Flex Alert superheroes. They not only reduce strain on the grid, they can go a step further and share surplus electrons with their neighbors,” says CALSSA.

Please click here for the full CALSSA article.

Sunriver Solar is certified to install Enphase IQ Batteries, LG RESU Home Batteries, and SolarEdge Energy Bank batteries. For more information regarding battery power for your home or business please contact sales@sunriversolar.com or dial 833-321-7866 (SUNN).

Five things we do that other companies don’t. They may do some of them, but we are the only company that does them all.

1. We offer a performance guarantee, guaranteeing the amount of electricity production. This is critical to your return on investment. After all, it is the electricity that you want, not panels, or aesthetics or anything else. It is electricity that gives you a return on your investment.
2. Our panel recommendation is based on the financial strength of the manufacturer, nobody else does that. Financial strength of the manufacturer is paramount because everyone provides a 25-year warranty. You want to be sure they will be around in 25 years. So do we.
3. Shop local and save. When you buy from us, you reinvest in your community spending locally and employing people who work here. You aren’t sending the money off to some distant corporate HQ.
4. We are a high touch personalized service company. We don’t have elaborate voice mail systems, phone trees, or chats lines. If you call us, you will get a human on the phone, not a computer.
5. Each project is custom designed to fit your exact needs and budget. Solar is not a one size fits all commodity to us. We take the time to deliver exactly what you want and need.
6. We may not be the lowest priced company (even though we probably are), but we absolutely will deliver the most value.

Reading the headlines, one would think PG&E rates went up anywhere for 1.5% to 3.4% in January. But if you take a close look at your bill, you will see that rates went up a whole lot more than that for most residential customers.

Most residences are on PG&E’s E-1 rate. In the chart below you will see the rate you paid on January 1, 2019 and what you are now paying as of January 1, 2020. So why do the headlines say different? The answer is that PG&E averages their rate increases over the entirety of their customer base including businesses, industrial users and others. Those averages are what get reported in the media.

So, what is the real effect on you, the average residential user? Look below to find out. In some cases, your electricity cost went up as much as 19.8% year over year compared to January 2019. And more is coming.

PG&E has more rate increase applications in front of the Public Utility Commission as we speak.

Nothing in your daily life compares to the inflation now seen in electricity rates.

January 1, 2019

Tier 1 21.2 cents/kwh

Tier 2 28.0 cents/ kwh

Tier 3 43.4 cents/kwh

March 1, 2019

Tier 1 21.8 cents/kwh

Tier 2 27.4 cents/kwh

Tier 3 48.0 cents/kwh

January 1, 2020

Tier 1 23.6 cents per kwh

Tier 2 29.7 cents/kwh

Tier 3 52.0 cents/kwh

Annual Increase from January 1, 2019 to January 1, 2020

Tier 1 = 11.3%

Tier 2 = 6.1%

Tier 3 = 19.8%

Tier 1, also called baseline, is for the initial chunk of electricity you buy from PG&E each month. As your monthly consumption goes up, the amount you pay per kwh also goes up.

Tier 2 applies to electricity that you purchase between 100% and 400% of baseline.

Tier 3 applies to electricity purchased in excess of 400% of baseline.

Current PG&E E-1 residential rates can be found at:

https://www.pge.com/tariffs/assets/pdf/tariffbook/ELEC_SCHEDS_E-1.pdf

Historic E-1 rates can be found at

https://www.pge.com/tariffs/electric.shtml

Applications for rate increases yet to come can be found at:

https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/General.aspx?id=10432

If you want to get off the PG&E treadmill, the time has never been better to go solar. Give us a call today to learn more! (530) 798-4722