Turning the switch on to solar: Tips to make it successful

When Raymond Boisvert invested around $50,000 to install a 42 panel solar energy system at his home in Templeton, he did it with the intention of saving energy. He had wells, pressure pumps, electrical heaters...all high electricity users. He wanted to try and offset some of those costs. However, when he put his solar system on line back in the fall, his bills didn't go in the direction he thought they would.

"Something went wrong somewhere, because our bill just went through the roof...It's just frustrating....you say ok, you've got this unit and it should help us," said Mr. Boisvert.

The problem lies with the actual switching over process. PG&E spokesman Kory Raftery noted that Mr. Boisvert's completed application wasn't received until January 29, several months after he began using his solar energy unit. "We understand that a customer can be frustrated when it seems like paperwork is holding them up from having a successfully installed solar system."

Another problem that Mr. Boisvert had was that the type of meter needed was not in place initially. An "e-net" meter is installed at customers' homes that use solar power. This allows customers to get credit for the solar generation that their panels are providing.

Now that Mr. Boisvert's paperwork is on file and the necessary changeover to being charged a lower energy rate for the solar power is in place, hopefully his latest billing cycle will show better results. PG&E will be looking at his energy use as his billing cycle ends later this month and have also been in contact with him to offer a free energy audit of his home.

Raftery encourages folks wanting to switch to solar that they call PG&E ahead of time to go over the necessary requirements to make it a smooth transition. The information is also available on their website, along with a section on the site that allows homeowners to do their own free energy audit.

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