Customers Can Now Go 100 Percent Solar with PG&E's Solar Choice Program

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/newsdetails/index.page?title=20160203_customers_can_now_go_100_percent_solar_with_pges_solar_choice_program

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Customers Can Now Go 100 Percent Solar with PG&E's Solar Choice Program[/font]

Release Date: February 03, 2016
Contact: PG&E External Communications [phone]

[font size=3]SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today launched PG&E's Solar Choice program, extending the option for 100 percent solar power to customers who are not planning to install rooftop solar panels. Customers can purchase half or all of their electric power from solar energy locally sourced in Northern and Central California, reducing their carbon footprint and driving the development of new solar resources within the state.

Approximately half of U.S. households and businesses are unable to install rooftop solar due to space, lack of sun exposure or ownership limitations¹. For a modest charge, PG&E's Solar Choice program extends solar access and benefits to residential and business customers regardless of their location or ability to physically install rooftop solar. As the program develops, the solar energy purchased by customers will be sourced from new solar projects built by developers across PG&E's service area, bringing new green jobs to Northern and Central California.

"PG&E's Solar Choice program is all about giving customers more choice and control over their energy, and bringing the benefits of solar to our communities. Our customers already enjoy some of the cleanest power in the country. Now, they can directly contribute to bringing more renewable energy onto the electric grid – a win for our customers and for California," said PG&E Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Laurie Giammona.

PG&E's Solar Choice can help renters, homeowners, businesses and cities meet their own sustainability, clean energy or climate goals. Additionally, participating organizations could qualify for LEED points for green building leadership as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Power Partnership for electricity generated from renewable resources.

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[Agnosticsherbet]

1. This looks like a PG&E Advertisement.

[OKIsItJustMe]

2. I suppose it is

If I could, I’d sign up!

[still_one]

3. I guess too many folks are installing rooftop solar or they wouldn't be doing this

Last edited Mon Mar 7, 2016, 07:51 PM - Edit history (1)

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. I'm among the many who cannot install rooftop solar

I would gladly contract with a utility for community solar.

[still_one]

5. I understand that, but I also am skeptical that the price structure on solar from PG&E would

provide any cost savings.

Also, roof-top solar is not for everyone. The ones who advertise the most, like solar city or sun power are not cheap, even with the tax credit, which doesn't always make sense for everyone.

The energy savings could take 12 years or more to break even, so that needs to be taken into consideration.

A lot of the solar companies offer lease programs, which save the expense from buying the panels, but the ones I have seen didn't seem particularly cost effective.

There are reputable local dealers who provide very competitive pricing, but one really needs to do their homework, such as neighbors, and friends recommendations, and even Angies list might provide a place to start.

One interesting thing, if someone needs to replace their roof, that may be the time to consider solar panels, because not only is their a tax credit from the solar panels, but the portion of the roof the will be covered by the solar panels, will also receive the a tax credit for the roof that is covered by the solar panels.

It has to be analyzed very carefully, and it may not be feasible or cost effective

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. Frankly, I don’t care about “cost savings”

I’m interested in planet savings.

I’m already paying a premium for “green” electricity (which includes wind and hydro) but I want to encourage more solar farms (even though, at this point, wind is cheaper than solar.)

[still_one]

7. many folks have a hard time making ends meet, and where they can save is a big deal

[OKIsItJustMe]

8. I understand that

Rooftop PV is not a source of big savings for them, but if it was, this move by PG&E does not prevent them from installing it.

http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
http://www.pvvalue.com/

[still_one]

9. I know you do