“Upon the first day that Schedule E-TOU-A and E-TOU-B become available for enrollment in 2016, Schedule E-6 shall be closed to new customers.” – PG&E Settlement Agreement in A.13-04-014 adopted last week by the CPUC.
PG&E will be ending its solar friendly E-6 and E-7 time of use (“TOU”) rate schedules in 2016 and launching new TOU rate schedules. See the bottom of this post for a comparison of E-6, E-7 and the new E-TOU-A hours. The new E-TOU rate schedules are expected to be less beneficial for solar customers. For an explanation of how TOU rates work with solar, click here.
The exact date has not yet been set for the launch of the new TOU rates. We do know it will be in early 2016 and no later than June 1, 2016. We also know that you will not be able to go on E-6 once the new TOU rates are available to customers. That means you need to be on E-6 before the new TOU rates become available. In other words, when the new TOU rates go into effect, it will be too late to switch to E-6.
Those on E-6 before the new TOU rates go into effect will be allowed to remain on E-6 until January 1, 2023. If you are on E-6 you can stop reading this.
Should you switch to E-6 before it closes?
If you are not on E-6 and have a solar system or will be installing a solar system in the next year, now is the time to decide whether you should change your rate schedule to E-6.
E-6 is the most common time of use rate schedule for solar customers and is the most beneficial rate schedule for many who have solar. It may, however, not be the best rate schedule for you. Call PG&E at (800) 743-5000 to discuss your rate options and decide whether moving to E-6 is the best option for you.
Important information for those on E-7
E-7, a solar friendly TOU rate schedule which has been closed to new customers for a number of years, will be eliminated. PG&E will migrate customers on E-7 to E-TOU-A. If you are on E-7, consider changing your rate with PG&E to E-6. Customers on E-7 who have submitted an E-6 rate change request one month prior to the date on which E-6 is closed to new customers, will be allowed to move to E-6.
Comparison of E-7, E-6 and E-TOU Hours:
E-7 Hours
PEAK: noon to 6pm Monday through Friday, All Year
OFF-PEAK: all other hours
E-6 Hours
Summer (May 1 through October 31)
PEAK: 1pm to 7pm Monday through Friday
PARTIAL-PEAK: 10am to 1pm and 7pm to 9pm Monday through Friday
plus 5pm to 8pm Saturday and Sunday
OFF-PEAK: All other times, including Holidays
Winter (November 1 through April 30)
PARTIAL-PEAK: 5pm to 8pm Monday through Friday
OFF-PEAK: All other times, including Holidays
E-TOU-A
PEAK: 3pm to 8pm Monday through Friday
OFF-PEAK: All other times, including Holidays
Holidays are on the legally observed day of each of the following: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.