Is there an alternative to PG&E?
05-17-2012, 09:26 AM
#16
You can NOT not have pg&e. unless you go propane or solar.
As mentioned you have to still use pg&e even you have have solar.
If you have "extra" electricity in your grid you can then sell it back to pg&e, they will not pay you as much as they sell it for.
THEN say if you need to pull electricity back from their grid in the same billing cycle that you have sold them your electricity they will sell it to you for even more than they would if you were just using it normally.
My environmental science teacher used to always talk about this, they have a 1kw system on their house. they have a meter installed that turns both ways. you can stand out side of their house and watch it spin backwards.
As mentioned you have to still use pg&e even you have have solar.
If you have "extra" electricity in your grid you can then sell it back to pg&e, they will not pay you as much as they sell it for.
THEN say if you need to pull electricity back from their grid in the same billing cycle that you have sold them your electricity they will sell it to you for even more than they would if you were just using it normally.
My environmental science teacher used to always talk about this, they have a 1kw system on their house. they have a meter installed that turns both ways. you can stand out side of their house and watch it spin backwards.
05-17-2012, 09:44 AM
#17
If you lived in Santa Clara then you would have the option of silicon valley power. I'm freshly back on PG&E, will be interested to see what my bill is like PG&E vs SVP for similar sized apts. The confounding variables being I have a washer/dryer in my new apt, but the appliances are newer & more energy efficient.
Lowend, how is the energy efficiency in your condo in terms of building materials? Got newer dual pane, low-e, vinyl framed windows? Or single pane, aluminum framed, uncoated glass windows? Having gone from the latter to the former, I can tell you it makes a HUGE difference in your heating/cooling costs as well as comfort. Also, look how you're powering electronics like tv's, computers, garage/basement lights. Are any of those on smart power strips? Using incandescent bulbs or CFE's/LED's? Have you contacted PG&E to have them do an energy audit of the condo? They'll have some of the same hints as well as rebates/programs for energy saving.
Lowend, how is the energy efficiency in your condo in terms of building materials? Got newer dual pane, low-e, vinyl framed windows? Or single pane, aluminum framed, uncoated glass windows? Having gone from the latter to the former, I can tell you it makes a HUGE difference in your heating/cooling costs as well as comfort. Also, look how you're powering electronics like tv's, computers, garage/basement lights. Are any of those on smart power strips? Using incandescent bulbs or CFE's/LED's? Have you contacted PG&E to have them do an energy audit of the condo? They'll have some of the same hints as well as rebates/programs for energy saving.
05-17-2012, 09:54 AM
#18
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If you have "extra" electricity in your grid you can then sell it back to pg&e, they will not pay you as much as they sell it for.
THEN say if you need to pull electricity back from their grid in the same billing cycle that you have sold them your electricity they will sell it to you for even more than they would if you were just using it normally.
My environmental science teacher used to always talk about this, they have a 1kw system on their house. they have a meter installed that turns both ways. you can stand out side of their house and watch it spin backwards.
THEN say if you need to pull electricity back from their grid in the same billing cycle that you have sold them your electricity they will sell it to you for even more than they would if you were just using it normally.
My environmental science teacher used to always talk about this, they have a 1kw system on their house. they have a meter installed that turns both ways. you can stand out side of their house and watch it spin backwards.
This is 100% incorrect.
Your meter spins backwards yes... but you are not selling electricity to PGE for any less than you are buying it at tier 1 base level costs.
In fact, you arent selliing it to them at all... you are building "credits" (either dollars or Kwh) by your meter spinning backwards. As soon as the sun goes down, your meter starts spinning forward again and you use the "credits" that you just generated during that days sunlight.
Last edited by Harry Maneuvers; 05-17-2012 at 09:59 AM.
05-17-2012, 10:17 AM
#21
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Hopefully you dont dip into the 3rd or 4th come summer or you will be seeing a MUCH higher bill.
05-17-2012, 10:45 AM
#24
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^ this is not an exaggeration or one off...
I have a customer in El Dorado Hills who was able to put a massive system on her home.
Her monthly bill went from $400+ to $8!!!!!!!!
I have a customer in El Dorado Hills who was able to put a massive system on her home.
Her monthly bill went from $400+ to $8!!!!!!!!
05-17-2012, 12:45 PM
#25
This is 100% incorrect.
Your meter spins backwards yes... but you are not selling electricity to PGE for any less than you are buying it at tier 1 base level costs.
In fact, you arent selliing it to them at all... you are building "credits" (either dollars or Kwh) by your meter spinning backwards. As soon as the sun goes down, your meter starts spinning forward again and you use the "credits" that you just generated during that days sunlight.
Your meter spins backwards yes... but you are not selling electricity to PGE for any less than you are buying it at tier 1 base level costs.
In fact, you arent selliing it to them at all... you are building "credits" (either dollars or Kwh) by your meter spinning backwards. As soon as the sun goes down, your meter starts spinning forward again and you use the "credits" that you just generated during that days sunlight.
and building credits is basically the same thing. its not like they cut you a check.
jeez Fing ***** on here.
05-17-2012, 12:54 PM
#27
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No worries. I was just setting the record straight because your first post made it seem as though PG&E will pay you less for the energy you put on the grid then what you are paying to them for the same energy.
05-17-2012, 02:09 PM
#29
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actually with SMUD, if you sell back more then you use, they will square up with you at the end of the year.
there were people in my subdivision that received checks back at the end of the year.
there were people in my subdivision that received checks back at the end of the year.
05-17-2012, 02:23 PM
#30
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hell yeah, just got a $200 PG&E bill, Im totally ready for solar panels, at this rate they would pay for themself in less than 3 years 
Cost of a Home Solar Power System
Cost of a Home Solar Power System