Solar Customers
Solar Billing Plan
If you applied for solar after April 14, 2023, you will be on the Solar Billing Plan.
The program contracts last for 20 years and feature the following:
Credit for Excess Export:
When your solar system generates more energy than you use, you are credited for this surplus electricity production at the standard Energy Export Credit (EEC) rates. These rates can be found on PG&E’s website here.
Annual cash-out:
After your April billing cycle, any remaining EEC credits left in your SBP credit balance will be cashed out. If your annual cash-out exceeds $500, we’ll send you a check. If it’s under $500, you will receive a bill credit.
Better Value:
We’ve simplified our SBP cash out policy to provide the same clarity as our NEM cash out policy, so you’re cashed out for the SBP credit balance you’ve earned at the Energy Export Credit price rather than the limited wholesale NSC price.
ECO100:
At this time PCE is unable to offer ECO100 service to customers enrolled on the Solar Billing Plan.
NEM 1
Transitioning from NEM 1
If you are transitioning from NEM 1, the Solar Billing Plan will be valuable, but the credit amount for power your produce has changed. Compared to NEM 1, most solar producers will earn less for their power and will consequently see an increase in their electric bill. If your solar system produces more energy than you typically consume annually, Peninsula Clean Energy’s version of the Solar Billing Plan pays more for your excess production than PG&E will.
On December 15, 2022, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a ruling that changes the way new solar customers will be compensated. The new program is the Solar Billing Plan (SBP) and it succeeds the NEM (Net Energy Metering) programs. This plan is designed to improve grid reliability by incentivizing solar customers to export electricity to the grid during on-peak hours when their exported electricity will be credited at the highest rates. Under the new Solar Billing Plan, the CPUC expects new solar customers to save roughly $100 per month on their electricity bill when compared to customers who do not have solar installed.
Customers who applied for solar interconnection prior to April 14, 2023 will remain on their existing NEM tariff until their 20 year legacy period expires, which is effective at the date at which their system was connected to the grid. During this period, existing solar NEM customers will receive the same retail compensation rates that they do currently. After their 20-year NEM period ends, they will then be enrolled into the new Solar Billing Plan.
The Solar Billing Plan is the only solar compensation plan for customers who apply for solar panel interconnection on or after April 15, 2023.
Under the Solar Billing Plan, imported electricity charges (when you use power from the grid) and exported electricity credits (when your solar system sends excess energy to the grid) will be calculated separately. Imported electricity charges will be based on the customer’s regular PCE electric generation rate schedule. Every kWh consumed at a customer’s home from the grid will be charged based on their regular PCE generation rate, and every kWh exported to the grid from their solar system will be credited at the separate EEC rate. To view the EEC rates, please visit PG&E’s charts here.
Energy export credits can accumulate and be carried over month-to-month in your SBP Credit Balance until the PCE Annual Cash Out. Monthly PCE charges can be offset by your SBP credit balance until your April billing cycle, where any remaining credit balance is cashed out and does not roll-over.
Annual Cash-Out
Under the Solar Billing Plan, the annual cash out that takes place in April of each year is similar to that of our NEM program. The Solar Billing Plan annual cash-out value is determined by your SBP credit balance, which is made up of energy export credits you’ve earned month to month. Any remaining SBP credit balance after your April billing cycle will be cashed out and does not roll over. Annual Cash-Out payments of $500 or more will be issued via check from PCE, while payments below $500 will be applied as an on-bill credit.
Annual Cash-Out checks
Customers with solar credit balances below $500 may request to receive their credit via check during the April Annual Cash-Out. Note: If your solar credit balance is above $500, you will automatically receive a check during the April Cash-Out.
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