How Bay Area Homeowners Are Using Solar + Battery Storage to Beat PG&E Rate Hikes

Tired of PG&E Rate Hikes and Rising Bills? There’s a Better Way

PG&E rates have soared over 40% in the past few years—and they’re not slowing down. For Bay Area homeowners, that means higher monthly bills with little warning and fewer options. But thousands have already found a solution: solar + battery storage.

With solar panels and a home battery, you can generate and store your own power—saving money, avoiding peak utility rates, and gaining independence from the grid.

Why Batteries Are the Game-Changer Under PG&E’s New Rules

PG&E’s Net Billing Tariff (NBT) replaced traditional net metering in California. Under this new structure:

  • You get less money for the energy your solar sends to the grid.

  • Electricity prices change hourly, often peaking in the evening.

  • Batteries let you store solar power and use it when electricity is most expensive.

Translation? Without a battery, your solar system may save 30–50% less under the new rules.

How It Works: Saving Money with Smart Energy Timing

Let’s say your solar panels produce energy during the day when you’re at work. Under NBT, exporting that power to the grid earns you very little. But with a battery, that energy is stored and used later—like at 6pm when PG&E rates surge.

That shift alone can double your energy savings.

And during an outage, your battery automatically kicks in to power your lights, fridge, Wi-Fi and more—keeping your home running while the grid is down.

Which Battery Should You Choose?

Most Bay Area homeowners go with one of three top battery options:

  • Tesla Powerwall 3 – Higher power output and now includes integrated solar inverter

  • Enphase IQ Batteries – Modular, ideal for existing Enphase microinverter systems

  • Franklin Home Power – Strong whole-home backup with load management features

Not sure which one’s best for you? We’ll help you compare your options based on:

  • Backup needs

  • Existing solar setup

  • Budget and goals

What Kind of Savings Can You Expect?

Here’s a typical solar + battery savings scenario in PG&E territory:

  • Monthly electric bill before solar: $350

  • After solar + battery: $75–$125

  • Yearly savings: $2,500+

  • Federal Tax Credit (if installed in 2025): Up to 30% off system cost

⚠️ Important: The 30% tax credit may be eliminated after this year—so if you’re considering solar + storage, act now.

Ready to Save & Avoid PG&E Rate Hikes? Here’s What to Do Next:

  1. Get a Custom Solar + Battery Quote: Tailored to your roof, usage, and goals

  2. Secure the 30% Federal Tax Credit before it disappears

  3. Start Saving Immediately and take control of your PG&E bill

Bay Area homeowners are already switching to solar + storage. The sooner you act, the more you save. Get a free quote today!

Let's Change The Way You Pay For Power.

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