If you have a solar system on your home or you want to install a solar system on your home, take action before the end of February 2016 to make sure you are on the best rate schedule. PG&E is making big changes to its residential time of use (“TOU”) rates. For an explanation of how TOU rates work with solar, click here.
Effective March 1, 2016 PG&E will:
- close its solar friendly E-6 TOU rate schedule to new customers;
- eliminate its even more solar friendly E-7 TOU rate schedule;
- launch two new E-TOU rate plans – E-TOU-A and E-TOU-B – which are less beneficial to solar.
Note: If you are on E-8 a seasonal pricing rate plan which has been closed to customers for a number of years, you should have received a letter from PG&E letting you know that rate plan is being eliminated. If you have solar or want solar, consider moving to the E-6 rate before it closes to new customers.
Those on E-6 before the new TOU rate goes 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 (877) 743-4112 to talk about your rate plan 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 since 2008 will be eliminated. PG&E will be sending a letter out to those on E-7 in early February. 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 have until the end of February 2016 to change rate plans to E-6.
Comparison of E-7, E-6, E-TOU-A and E-TOU-B 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
E-TOU-B
PEAK: 4pm to 9pm 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.