December 2006 - The California Public Utilities Commission has issued an Order to Re-Open Rate Schedules E-7 and EL-7 on a temporary basis beginning January 1, 2007, until new Time-Of-Use rate schedules go into effect later next year. Read more about this under "Electric rate tariffs" (below).

Electric rate tariffs

As part of preparing a solar proposal for residential solar systems that will be interconnected with the electric power grid, CCEnergy analyzes historical electricity usage to determine which electric rate tariff will provide the best financial incentive for going solar.

Switching to a Time of Use (TOU) rate tariff is frequently the best choice for residential solar energy system owners. In a Time-Of-Use rate structure, higher prices are charged during the utility's peak-load times and rates are lower during off-peak times. TOU rates are intended to provide an incentive for consumers to curb power use during peak times, but the higher rates also apply to customers generating power. Since utility customers are charged or credited based on time of day that their electricity is used or generated, TOU has generally worked to the advantage of Pacific Gas & Electric utility customers with solar PV systems.

So what's the difference between the basic residential service rate and the Time-of-Use rate?

• E-1 Standard Service - The cost per kWh does not vary by season or time of day.


• E-6 Time-of-Use (TOU) Service - Summer (service from May 1 through October 31) Peak: 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Partial Peak: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, plus 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Off Peak: All other times including Holidays.
  
  Winter (service from November 1 through April 30) Partial-Peak: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Off Peak: All other times including Holidays

In May 2006, PG&E discontinued its established E-7 Time-of-Use rate schedule and replaced it with the newer E-6 TOU rate tariff. This change removed vital financial incentive for residential customers to invest in solar PV systems. CCEnergy joined other solar parties in filing protests with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) based on procedural issues as well as public policy concerns. CCEnergy provided direct testimony and solicited additional supporting testimony demonstrating the deleterious effects of removing the E-7 rate schedule for utility interconnected solar customers.

As a result, in December 2006 the CPUC issued an Order to Re-Open Rate Schedules E-7 and EL-7 on a temporary basis beginning January 1, 2007, until the new TOU rate schedules go into effect later next year.

More about PG&E electric rates or tariffs »

Technical and procedural utility requirements

Solar systems purchased through CCEnergy that will interconnect to municipal or investor owned utilities comply with all utility and state requirements including use of certified equipment and required safety measures. CCEnergy field representatives handle all utility paperwork on our members' behalf.

More details about PG&E's
Net Energy Metering (NEM) requirements »

PG&E NEM forms and publications

PG&E NEM Generator Interconnection Process
The Net Energy Metering (NEM) program, formerly known as the E-NET program, allows customers to install their own generation equipment so that they can offset part or all of their electric needs. Includes links to application forms and instructions.

PG&E Standard NEM Generator Interconnect Application (Form 79-994)
This application form includes instructions and requires general information about your project. On your application, you may indicate whether you desire to be placed on a Time-of-Use (TOU) rate.
PG&E Form 79-994 (275K pdf) | Apply online

PG&E Standard NEM Generator Interconnection Agreement (Form 79-854) (41K pdf)
You must sign a copy of the "Interconnection Agreement for Net Energy Metering for Residential and Small Commercial Solar or Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 10 Kilowatts or Less".

PG&E NEM Generator Interconnection Agreement Checklist (11K pdf)
A handy checklist for completing the "Interconnection Agreement".

PG&E NEM Generator Interconnection Single Line Drawing Example (11K pdf)
Your single-line drawing should show all the devices for the system equipment ratings, wire sizes, and a visible, accessible lockable disconnect switch ("safety switch").

PG&E Rule 21 Retail Generator Interconnections
Retail generators operate in parallel with PG&E, and the interconnection requirements are determined, in part, by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Rule 21 specifies the interconnection, operating and metering requirements for these generators.
Text of Rule 21 (pdf)

PG&E Tariff Schedules
The utility Tariff Schedules for rates based on different plans.

Sample PG&E NEM Utility Bill (pdf)
Fully annotated example of residential utility bill for customers on net metering (E-Net). (Note: If you're a post-installation solar customer trying to decipher your electricity usage, you may want to contact your CCEnergy field rep to help interpret your specific information.)