How to Read Your PG&E NEM Bill

PG&E will install a net meter in your home to measure the difference between the amount of energy your system produces throughout the month and the amount of electricity you consume from the grid. This difference is called net energy, which PG&E uses to calculate your solar bill.²

When your panels generate more power than you need, the excess energy automatically flows via the electric meter to PG&E’s grid. And at times when your electricity use is higher than your solar system’s production, you will rely on that additional energy from PG&E.

Under a Net Energy Metering (NEM) agreement, PG&E reads your meter each month and sends you a statement summarizing the net amount of electricity your home consumed from or supplied to the grid during the billing period. Resulting in either a credit or a charge to your account.³

PG&E customers with a solar lease or PPA plan become part of their NEM agreement, and are automatically placed on a 12-month billing cycle to receive three types of statements:

PG&E Energy Statement (Monthly):

Delivered every month, and it only displays your amount due for the monthly service charge, plus any additional gas or non-energy costs. View a sample PG&E Energy Statement.

NEM Energy Statement (Monthly):

Delivered each month, and it shows a summary of your year-to-date solar charges and credits and how you are tracking towards True-Up. View a sample PG&E NEM Energy Statement.

True-Up Energy Statement (Yearly):

Delivered every 12 months, and it provides your net energy charges and credits over the whole year and shows any final balance due. The remaining costs must be paid, and any excess surpluses are typically reset to zero. View a sample PG&E True-Up Energy Statement.

With PG&E’s TOU rate plans, when you consume electricity is as important as how much you use, The cost you pay changes based on the time, the day, and the season.⁴ By shifting some of your electricity usage to times when prices are lower, and grid demand is down, you will reduce your bill while supporting a healthier environment.⁵ You can see how TOU works below:

With rooftop solar and a battery storage system in your home, PG&E’s TOU rate plans allow you to export the excess energy your system produces into the grid when rates are lower and use this electricity when prices are higher — I.e., in the afternoon or early evening. In these type of scenarios, you may get a credit for the month even if you used more energy than you exported.

If you decide to sell your home, at Sunrun, we have a team of Service Transfer Specialists standing by to help you sell your home and transfer your solar contract to the new owner. As soon as you notify Sunrun you are selling your property; you will be assigned to a Service Transfer Specialist who will work with you exclusively through the entire transaction.⁶

From educating realtors and potential buyers to working with home inspectors, escrow officers, title agents, and anyone else who should know about your system or solar contract, we have your back. Learn helpful solar contract transfer tips.