How Much Can Solar Reduce a PG&E Bill?
With PG&E electricity rates remaining a major household expense, many Hayward homeowners are looking for ways to take control of their monthly energy costs. A professionally designed solar roof system can significantly reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from PG&E by generating power directly from your home.
But exactly how much can solar roofing save you? The answer depends on your home’s energy consumption, solar system size, roof orientation, electricity rate plan, and whether you include battery storage.
PG&E currently estimates that customers enrolled in its Solar Billing Plan can save up to 40% on electric charges compared with non-solar customers.
The reason is straightforward: every kilowatt-hour of solar electricity you use at home is electricity you do not have to purchase from PG&E. The more of your household’s electricity needs your system can supply, the greater your potential savings.
For example, a homeowner with a $300 monthly electric bill could potentially save a significant amount over the course of a year with a properly sized solar installation. However, actual savings vary from home to home, so homeowners should avoid relying on a generic savings estimate.
Why Does Your PG&E Rate Matter?
PG&E’s residential electricity rates change over time and vary according to rate plan and usage. As of March 1, 2026, PG&E reported an average residential bundled rate of 40.60 cents per kilowatt-hour for non-CARE customers.
That makes reducing purchased electricity particularly valuable. Your solar savings are influenced not only by how much electricity your panels produce, but also by when your household uses electricity and what you would otherwise pay PG&E for that energy.
Does a Battery Increase Solar Savings?
For many homeowners, adding battery storage can make a solar investment more effective. Solar panels produce the most electricity during daylight hours, while many households continue using substantial amounts of electricity in the evening.
A battery can store excess solar energy during the day and make that energy available later. This can reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid when solar production is low. PG&E’s Solar Billing Plan specifically encourages pairing rooftop solar with battery storage.
What About Excess Solar Energy?
If your system produces more electricity than your home needs, some of that energy may be exported to the grid. Under PG&E’s Solar Billing Plan, customers receive credits for excess energy sent to the grid, although export compensation is generally different from the retail price of electricity.
This is why proper system design is important. The goal is not simply to install the maximum number of panels possible. Instead, your solar roof system should be designed around your home’s electricity consumption and how you actually use energy.
How Can Hayward Homeowners Maximize Solar Savings?
The best place to start is with an analysis of your recent PG&E bills. An experienced contractor can evaluate your electricity usage, roof condition, available roof space, solar exposure, and potential system size.
Working with experienced solar installers in Hayward can also make it easier to coordinate roofing, solar installation, permits, and electrical requirements.
If you’re researching solar Hayward CA homeowners can depend on, Century Roof & Solar can help you understand how a customized solar and roofing solution may fit your home and budget. The right system can do more than put panels on your roof—it can help reduce your dependence on PG&E and provide long-term energy savings. Contact Century Roof and Solar today. See more of our work on our social media here.