The rising complexity and cost of electricity can be challenging for consumers to navigate. At Peak Power, we strongly believe in educating consumers about how utilities impact them and helping them understand their options. Without this knowledge, consumers risk wasting tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime by overpaying for energy. This is why we emphasize an educational sales process, ensuring that all parties are well-informed and comfortable with their decisions.
Every three years, Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs) like SCE, SDG&E, and PG&E submit rate increase applications to the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC). These applications aim to recoup costs necessary for maintaining infrastructure while meeting the state’s renewable energy policy demands. However, the primary focus of these utilities is to maintain profits for their investors, which means rate increases are not solely driven by inflation but occur regardless of it.
Rate increases, coupled with Net Metering programs, are deliberately designed to influence consumers’ energy usage habits and purchasing decisions towards Solar + Battery solutions. The goal is to create a stable grid mix, with Battery Energy Storage Systems at solar system locations forming microgrids of firm energy. This firm energy supply alleviates grid stress caused by the inconsistent ramping of renewable energy sources.
The ongoing evolution of rate schedules and costs will continue to drive consumers toward Solar + Battery solutions as a means of ensuring more reliable and stable power delivery.
In summary, electricity users are already paying for solar, whether it’s installed on their roof or not. So, it makes sense to take control of your power at the point of use by installing a solar system with accompanying battery storage.
Matt Stoutenburg, Founder and President of Peak Power Solutions, has been a resident of Tustin, California, for over 50 years and a prominent figure in the Southern California electrical industry for more than 35 years.
In 1989, Matt began his journey by enrolling in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 5-year apprenticeship trade school, graduating in 1995. This marked the start of a successful career. In 2000, he founded Stout & Burg Electric, followed by Peak Power Solutions in 2004. While Stout & Burg Electric operates as a traditional electrical contractor, Peak Power Solutions stands out as a General Contractor specializing in the development of solar and battery renewable energy systems for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
This extensive background sets Matt and Peak Power Solutions apart from many others in the solar industry. Their deep roots in the trades provide a genuine understanding of the design, engineering, and construction of electrical and solar projects—an edge over much of the competition, which often focuses solely on sales and marketing.
