PG&E tracks your usage on a monthly basis and charges you more as your demand increases. A family with any significant electric appliance could easily see their rates double and be stuck using expensive electricity the last few weeks of the month. Solar benefits homeowners by producing enough energy to stay in PG&E’s lowest energy rates, Tiers 1 and 2.  Replace Tiers 3 and 4 with solar and save thousands of dollars over time.

Whether you purchase a solar system, use financing, or lease a solar system, producing your own electricity is the fundamental that reduces your electricity bill and saves you money. It is time to take control of your energy and demand cleaner sources at lower prices; it is time to demand solar.

Solar Saves

Homeowners Save

California energy policy is designed to reduce power consumption; which is why energy rates actually increase as you use more energy. On the Central Coast, PG&E is the sole provider of electricity meaning homeowners experience rate increases when consumption reaches a certain amount of energy.  In the Central Coast, rates generally spike after a family uses around 500 kWh, i.e. uses $60 of electricity. A solar system reduces the amount of electricity purchased from PG&E and keeps in lower billing tiers.  Solar typically can produce electricity at $0.12 to $0.18 per kWh.

Businesses Save

Business rate structures are even more complex than residential rates. PG&E has flat rate, time of use, peak day, and demand charge rate structures for businesses. Whether you own a farm, liquor store, or car wash; energy rates and costs will vary by region and time of use. Often times electricity rates peak during business hours. Businesses often see the greatest benefit and savings through solar because they can produce their own energy when it is the most expensive to purchase from PG&E.

Every business is different. It is common to have energy costs be a businesses’ largest expense. From keeping a comfortable work environment to powering a submersible pump or refrigeration facility, electricity costs can add up. Solar energy reduces operating costs for businesses and can improve the bottom line. Walmart, Verizon, Warren Buffet, Apple, and PG&E all invested in solar. Don’t pay retail rates for energy; produce your own energy for your business and Save.

Solar Stimulus

Solar Companies Spend

Solar energy produces electricity. Electricity requires wire, conduit, service panels, breakers, and many other expensive components. Hardware stores, delivery services, electrical distributors, and other enterprises all benefit from supplying equipment and materials. Office supply, print service, advertisement, and insurance companies are also needed to market and communicate what solar can do for homeowners and businesses. All in all, solar creates economic activity through business spending.

Solar Jobs Created

Professional engineers, electricians, and solar experts are needed to design, permit, and build a solar system. Each of these jobs require advance training and living wages; wages that will be spent living and working in our Central Coast communities. Everyone benefits when a homeowner invests in clean energy.

Every solar company needs to track and process paperwork for clients and business operation. Administrative, marketing, sales, customer service, and human resource costs all add up. Solar companies often have more people working inside the office than outside on a rooftop. Building a solar system is half the effort; many jobs are created in the office generating service agreements, assisting potential clients, and dealing with PG&E and building departments. People are needed to build a solar system, meaning more local jobs.

Big Picture

Publicly traded energy companies and privately held corporations have shareholders. Shareholders are paid by the businesses; in PG&E territory that means 14-16% of your monthly bill goes to pay dividends to shareholders. PG&E now has competition for electricity on the Central Coast. Solar energy offers homeowners a way to control electricity costs and prevent shareholder dividends from increasing monthly bills.

Solar saves money, creates jobs, and stimulates the local economy.