PG&E Rates Changing Again. And What To Do About It.
With residential electricity rates higher than every state in the nation except Hawaii, PG&E is already near the top of the U.S. pricing charts. On the E-TOU-C rate plan — where most Marin homeowners land prior to going solar — peak summer pricing is already pushing the upper 50¢ per kWh range. That’s not inexpensive electricity.
In March of 2026, PG&E is reshuffling the deck yet again.
The CPUC has approved a Fixed Base Services Charge that will cost most residential customers approximately $24 per month. You will pay this charge even if you use zero electricity. Of course, you will still pay per-kWh charges on top of that fixed fee.
PG&E notes that per-kWh rates may be reduced slightly under this restructuring, and they explicitly state that your total bill may or may not decline depending on your usage profile. Time will tell. With rates now more than double what many of us were paying pre-pandemic, history suggests that meaningful long-term reductions are unlikely.
So what is the hedge?
Solar + Energy Storage has long been the protection against PG&E’s rate trajectory. Even after the elimination of the 30% Residential Federal Tax Credit at the end of 2025 under the One Big, Beautiful Bill, residential systems still pencil with cashflow paybacks typically in the 7–10 year range for traditional cash purchases.
That said, we have been proactive.
Earthwise Energy has partnered with an established Capital Tax Equity firm that allows us to recover approximately 20–25% of the savings lost with the expiration of the Residential ITC.
In simple terms, this firm aggregates a portfolio of residential solar + storage projects and treats the bundle as a commercial asset. The 30% Investment Tax Credit remains in place for commercial projects, and commercial owners are also able to depreciate 100% of the asset value.
By capturing both the commercial ITC and accelerated depreciation benefits, the firm is able to pass through a 20–25% reduction in system cost directly to the homeowner (depending on product origin and structure).
There are additional benefits:
- No tax appetite required on your end
- Third-party monitoring and performance guarantees
- Six years of production oversight and support
It is a compelling financial structure that meaningfully offsets the loss of the residential tax credit while maintaining strong long-term ownership economics.
PG&E’s rate structure is not getting simpler. It is not getting cheaper. And it is certainly not getting more predictable.
If you’re looking to hedge against continued rate escalation while gaining energy independence and backup protection during outages, give us a call. We’re happy to build a custom electric-use analysis and show you exactly how solar + storage can work for your home.
For more information on Energy Saving Solutions and solar options, contact Jason Hamilton at Earthwise Energy Solutions by calling 800-396-6949 or visiting www.earthwiseenergysolutions.com.
