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PG&E · California · Updated August 2026
Why your PG&E bill is so high
What PG&E charges, why it moved, and what a roof produces against it.
~35.0¢All-in rateRanked #1 by Solar Power World · Inc. 5000 · 20,000+ installations
The number
What PG&E actually charges
PG&E residential service runs about 35.0¢ per kilowatt-hour all-in as of August 2026 — supply, delivery and riders together. At 1,000 kilowatt-hours a month that is roughly $350 before fixed charges and taxes.
| Monthly usage | At 35.0¢ |
|---|---|
| 750 kWh | ~$262 |
| 1,000 kWh | ~$350 |
| 1,500 kWh | ~$525 |
| 2,000 kWh | ~$700 |
How that compares in California
| Utility | All-in rate |
|---|---|
| Southern California Edison (SCE) | ~34.0¢ |
| San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) | ~42.0¢ |
You do not choose your utility — it is set by your address. This is context, not an option.
Why it is high
Three causes, in the order worth checking
Usage
Pull twelve months of kilowatt-hours from your PG&E account. Dollars hide whether the problem is how much you use or what you pay for it. Electric heat, a heat pump in shoulder season, an EV or a second refrigerator will all show up here.
Rate increases
Rate changes are filed with the state commission and take effect on a published schedule. Your bill will note the reset.
Your rate plan
PG&E bills supply and delivery together, so there is no supplier to switch. Ask whether a time-of-use plan fits your usage better than the standard residential rate.
What a roof does against it
Production against a 35.0¢ rate
This part of California averages about 5.4 peak sun hours a day, so a kilowatt of panels produces roughly 1,577 kilowatt-hours a year. A 9 kW system makes around 14,193 kilowatt-hours annually — about $4,968 of PG&E electricity a year at the current rate.
That is production value, not a savings figure. What you actually keep depends on how much of it you use directly versus export, what PG&E credits exports at, and what you pay for the system. Under a power purchase agreement there is no upfront cost and you buy the production at an agreed rate instead.
The residential federal tax credit (25D) ended for systems purchased after December 31, 2025.
You will still see ads promising a 30% credit that “ends December 31.” Read the date on them. If you buy a system today as a homeowner, you cannot claim that credit. What remains under 48E applies to the owner of the system — which, under a PPA, is us. SolarAmerica does not provide tax advice; talk to your tax professional about your situation.
Every figure here is an estimate built from published rates and modeled production. It is not a savings guarantee, and no solar company can honestly give you one. Your actual result depends on your roof, your usage and what your utility charges next year.
Who you would be working with
SolarAmerica
We design your system and manage the project; installation is performed by vetted licensed partners in your area. SolarAmerica is not itself the installing contractor.
Questions
The things people actually ask
Why is my PG&E bill so high?
PG&E residential service runs about 35.0¢ per kilowatt-hour all-in, so 1,000 kilowatt-hours costs roughly $350 before fixed charges. If your usage has not changed and the bill has, the cause is the rate or a change in your rate plan.
How much is PG&E per kWh?
About 35.0¢ all-in as of August 2026, combining supply, delivery and riders. Your own bill divided by your kilowatt-hours is the exact figure for your account.
Can I switch away from PG&E?
No. PG&E is your utility for both supply and delivery, and that is set by your address.
Would solar cover my whole bill?
Almost certainly not all of it. You stay connected, you keep a customer charge, and you draw at night. Solar offsets a portion of usage, and how large a portion depends on your roof.
Compare a fixed rate to PG&E
About 60 seconds. No cost, no obligation, and we will tell you if solar does not make sense for your home.
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