Solar Guide for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Customers

If you're a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customer considering solar energy, you're making a smart financial decision. With residential electricity rates averaging 39.62 cents per kWh, solar panels can dramatically reduce or even eliminate your monthly electric bill. The typical Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customer spends approximately $317 per month on electricity — money that could be working for you instead of going to the utility.

California service area

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has a reduced rate net metering policy. While the buyback rate of 27.73¢/kWh is lower than the 39.62¢/kWh retail rate, solar remains highly economical. The key is to size your system to match your daytime consumption as closely as possible, maximizing direct savings at the retail rate. Any excess generation still earns you credits, just at the reduced buyback rate.

An 8kW solar system for a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customer costs approximately $22,560 before the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit. After the ITC, your net cost drops to about $15,792. This system produces enough clean energy to save you approximately $5,704 per year, resulting in a payback period of roughly 2.9 years.

After your system pays for itself, you'll enjoy 19+ years of dramatically reduced electricity costs. Over a 25-year period, total savings for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers are estimated at $142,600 — and that's without accounting for the likely 2-3% annual increase in electricity rates that would make your savings even greater.