PG&E Solar Billing Plan Export Credits in Berkeley
Berkeley homeowners usually have Ava Community Energy for generation and PG&E for delivery, which makes Berkeley solar economics a little different from generic California solar advice.
Also known as Net Billing Tariff or “NEM 3.0” — how solar exports and credits work for Berkeley customers.
Last updated: May 2026
What Is the Solar Billing Plan?
The Solar Billing Plan (also called Net Billing Tariff) replaced NEM 2.0 for all new solar interconnection applications submitted on or after April 15, 2023, per CPUC Decision 22-12-056. Under this plan, the value of solar energy you export to the grid is based on time-varying rates — not the full retail rate you pay for electricity.
Self-Consumption (Most Valuable)
Energy you generate and use immediately offsets your bill at the full retail rate ($0.35–$0.55/kWh depending on time of use). This is by far the most valuable use of your solar energy under the Solar Billing Plan.
Grid Exports (Lower Value)
Excess energy exported to the grid earns time-varying credits that are significantly lower than retail rates. This is the key difference from NEM 2.0, where exports were credited at (or near) retail.
Source: CPUC – Net Billing Tariff
What this means for your Berkeley roof
Your payback depends on three Berkeley-specific levers: how much solar you self-consume, your PG&E rate plan (E-ELEC is the default for SBP), and whether you stack the Ava export bonus on peak hours. Get a personalized estimate using your address and a recent bill.
Run a free Berkeley estimate →Export Credit Values
Export credits under the Solar Billing Plan average approximately $0.04–$0.09/kWh during peak solar production hours. PG&E publishes hourly, daily, and monthly export credit values so customers can see exactly what their exports are worth.
When Are Export Credits Highest?
- • Midday (10 AM–2 PM): Lowest export value — this is when solar production across California peaks and the grid has the most surplus.
- • Late afternoon (3–6 PM): Higher export value — demand begins to rise while solar production starts to decrease.
- • Evening peak (4–9 PM): Highest grid value — but most solar systems produce little or no energy during these hours without battery storage.
The time-varying nature of export credits is why battery storage has become so important: it lets you store midday solar and use or export it during higher-value hours.
Source: PG&E – Solar Billing Plan
ACC Plus Export Adder
The ACC Plus Export Adder (also called the “Energy Export Bonus Credit”) is an additional credit on top of the base export value. It applies to residential PG&E customers who interconnect their solar system during the first five years of the tariff (2023–2027).
Key Details
- • Available for interconnections 2023–2027
- • Amount steps down each interconnection year
- • Locked in for 9 years from your PTO date
- • Code-required solar (new construction mandates) is excluded
Why It Matters
The ACC Plus adder meaningfully improves the economics of solar under the Solar Billing Plan. Since it steps down each year and is locked for 9 years, earlier interconnection means a higher, longer-lasting bonus.
Source: PG&E Solar Billing Plan; CPUC Net Billing tariff ACC Plus schedule.
E-ELEC: The Default Solar Rate Plan
Solar Billing Plan customers are automatically enrolled in PG&E's Electric Home (E-ELEC) rate plan. This is a time-of-use rate with a non-bypassable $15/month base services charge.
E-ELEC Time-of-Use Periods
Seasons: Winter (Oct–May) / Summer (Jun–Sep)
Other Rate Plan Options
While E-ELEC is the default, solar customers can also choose E-TOU-C (peak 4–9 PM daily), E-TOU-D (peak 5–8 PM weekdays), or EV2-A (favorable for EV owners). Comparing rate plans based on your usage patterns can optimize savings.
Source: PG&E Solar Billing Plan
Why Batteries Matter Under the Solar Billing Plan
Under the Solar Billing Plan, the gap between self-consumption value ($0.35–$0.55/kWh) and export credit value ($0.04–$0.09/kWh) makes battery storage significantly more impactful than under NEM 2.0.
Without Battery
Typical self-consumption rate of ~70%. Excess midday solar is exported at low credit values. You buy grid power at full retail during expensive evening peak hours.
With Battery
Self-consumption rate increases to ~90%. Midday solar charges the battery, then powers your home during peak hours (4–9 PM) when rates are highest.
Battery Economics
- • Battery cost: $900–$1,200 per kWh of storage capacity
- • A typical 13.5 kWh battery: $12,150–$16,200
- • Note: The 30% federal tax credit expired Dec 31, 2025
- • Mid-life replacement typically needed after 10–15 years, which should be factored into long-term ROI calculations
Source: CPUC – Net Billing Tariff
Ava Community Energy Bonuses
Berkeley residents have a unique advantage: Ava Community Energy provides additional export credits on top of the standard Solar Billing Plan credits. These bonuses are available for 5 years (2024–2029) and are separate from the ACC Plus adder.
Non-CARE/FERA Customers
+$0.025/kWh bonus for solar exports during peak hours (3–8 PM). This stacks on top of PG&E export credits and the ACC Plus adder.
CARE/FERA Customers
+$0.01/kWh bonus on all solar exports (not limited to peak hours). Available for qualifying low-income households.
Berkeley-specific advantage: The combination of Ava export bonuses + ACC Plus adder + standard Solar Billing Plan export credits means Berkeley solar customers earn more per exported kWh than PG&E-only customers in neighboring cities.
True-Up and Cash-Out
Under the Solar Billing Plan, you receive monthly statements showing your energy usage, generation, exports, and credits. However, the financial settlement happens on an annual cycle.
Monthly Statements
Each month, your bill shows charges and credits. Any net credits roll over to the next month. You won't receive a payout until the annual true-up.
Annual True-Up
Your annual true-up typically occurs in April. At true-up, PG&E settles the balance for the full 12-month period. If you have surplus kWh, they're paid out at the Net Surplus Compensation (NSC) rate.
Cash-Out Rules
- • If the cash-out value is under $100, the surplus stays as a bill credit
- • If the cash-out value is $100 or more, PG&E issues a check (typically in June–July following the April true-up)
- • Most solar-only systems are designed to offset most — not all — of your usage, so large payouts are uncommon
Source: PG&E – Solar Billing Plan
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Solar Billing Plan in Berkeley?
The Solar Billing Plan (also called Net Billing Tariff or "NEM 3.0") replaced NEM 2.0 for all new solar interconnections submitted on or after April 15, 2023, per CPUC Decision 22-12-056. Under this plan, export credits are time-varying — significantly lower than retail rates — rather than near-retail as under NEM 2.0. Self-consumption (solar you use directly) is now the most valuable use of your solar energy.
How is Berkeley different because of Ava Community Energy?
Berkeley residents are automatically enrolled with Ava Community Energy for electricity generation. Unlike most PG&E customers, Berkeley solar customers receive additional Ava export bonuses on top of standard Solar Billing Plan credits: +$0.025/kWh for peak-hour exports (3–8 PM) for standard customers, or +$0.01/kWh on all exports for CARE/FERA customers. These bonuses run 2024–2029, making Berkeley solar economics more favorable than neighboring cities.
What is ACC Plus?
The ACC Plus Export Adder (also called the "Energy Export Bonus Credit") is an additional credit per kWh exported to the grid. It applies to PG&E customers who interconnect during 2023–2027. The amount steps down each year and is locked in for 9 years from your Permission to Operate date. Code-required solar for new construction is excluded. Interconnecting sooner means a higher, longer-lasting bonus.
Do batteries matter more under the Solar Billing Plan?
Yes, significantly. Under the Solar Billing Plan, the gap between self-consumption value ($0.35–$0.55/kWh) and export credit value ($0.04–$0.09/kWh) is much larger than under NEM 2.0. A battery lets you store cheap midday solar and discharge it during expensive 4–9 PM peak hours, increasing your self-consumption rate from ~70% to ~90%. Note: batteries typically need mid-life replacement after 10–15 years, which affects long-term ROI.
Are export credits the same as retail electricity rates?
No. This is the key difference from the old NEM 2.0 program. Under the Solar Billing Plan, export credits average $0.04–$0.09/kWh during peak solar production hours — far below the $0.35–$0.55/kWh retail rate you pay for electricity. This is why self-consumption and battery storage are so important for maximizing savings under the current tariff.
Get Your Free Berkeley Solar Estimate
See how the Solar Billing Plan affects your savings with a personalized estimate for your Berkeley home.
Get Your Free EstimateMore Berkeley Solar Guides
Sources: CPUC – Net Billing Tariff; PG&E – Solar Billing Plan; Ava Community Energy – Solar Billing Plan.