After you go solar, you are going to sign up for a Net Metering program. When you do that you are given electricity-pricing options. If you are a PG&E customer, the two most common plans are called E-1 and E-6.
E-1 is also known as the “Standard Pricing Plan.” For most electricity users, this is probably what you are currently on. In this plan, the cost of electricity does not vary by time or season.
E-6 on the other hand is called the “Time-of-Use Pricing Plan.” This plan provides pricing per kilowatt-hour based on the season and time of day that the electricity is used. During peak hours (see graphic below) the user pays more for their electricity. This sort of plan makes sense for people who work and aren’t home during the day, as electricity in off peak hours (evening/morning), is cheaper than in the standard E-1 plan.
As you can see, going solar not only helps you save money and help the environment, it gives you much more control over your energy use. Hopefully this has been helpful.
-Nat Smith
