Learn about the PG&E energy grid

PG&E delivers electricity directly to you. PG&E delivers this power through our electric system to Northern and Central California. PG&E produces or buys energy from many sources. The sources include conventional and renewable sources. This harnessed power travels through our electric transmissions and distribution systems. This series of systems is called the energy grid.

Understand Grid Saturation

Solar panels which do not include on-site battery storage, allow consumers to send electricity back to the grid, which can cause rapid fluctuations in the amount of electricity flowing through the grid.

Solar panels can overload the electricity grid when they produce more power than the grid can handle, especially during peak sunlight. This can happen when solar power production is high but power consumption is low, like on weekends or holidays

Understand Inverter Overload

When the power input from the solar panels is more than the inverter can handle, it can cause the inverter to strain. This can lead to reduced efficiency, power losses, and a shorter lifespan for the inverter.

Properly positioned solar panels on east and west facades, can help avoid inverter overload on the PG&E energy grid by generating power in the morning and afternoon instead of at midday, then storing that power on-site to consumer during the evening when peak demand from the grid is highest.

How the FLEX program helps PG&E electric system

The electricity you are using right now was made less than a second ago. The amount of electricity put into the grid must always balance the amount of electricity that is being used.

The FLEX program allows homeowners to pay for only what they use, at a greatly reduced rate (typically less than half of current PG&E rates), while receiving whole-home battery backup on-site in the process.

Benefits For ALL PG&E Customers

FLEX program upgrades can benefit Californians with greater energy reliability thanks to on-site solar and battery storage. The micro-grids created by the FLEX program allow PG&E to gain more energy from renewable sources. This innovation is a win for customers, the environment and all of California.

To see if your home qualifies for the FLEX program click here

How To Apply For The FLEX Program

Incentive program applications are typically completed by your contractor. If you receive incentives, your contractor may discount your up-front costs with your incentive amount for immediate savings.

To search for a top-rated contractor that services your area click here.