How Much Can You Save? Breaking Down Solar Energy Savings for Fresno Homes

PG&E Residential Electricity Rates (As of March 1, 2025)

Before you can calculate what solar might save you, you have to understand what you’re currently paying for electricity.

Here’s what PG&E’s residential rates look like today:

• Tier 1 (baseline usage): $0.41 per kilowatt hour
• Tier 2 (above baseline): $0.51 per kilowatt hour
• Time-of-Use (TOU) Peak from 4–9 p.m.: $0.63 per kilowatt hour
• TOU off-peak (baseline/off-season): $0.40–$0.50 per kWh

Blended Cost:

• Summer average: ~$0.44 per kWh
• Winter average: ~$0.40 per kWh
• Annual blended average: ~$0.42 per kWh

If you use more power during peak hours (4 to 9 p.m.), your effective rate can be even higher—closer to $0.45–$0.46 per kWh. That’s nearly double what solar power can cost when designed and financed correctly.

The Cost of Power with Solar

Let’s compare those utility rates with a real-world solar scenario we often install here in the Central Valley:

Example Solar + Battery System:

• 25 solar panels
• 3 batteries
• System size: 120% offset of customer’s annual usage
• Production: 17,000 kWh/year
• Monthly solar loan payment: $263/month
• Annual cost: $3,156/year
• Cost per kWh (solar): $0.185/kWh

That means this homeowner is paying 18.5 cents per kilowatt hour for solar power—less than half of what they’d pay with PG&E.

What’s Included in That $0.185/kWh?

• Panels
• Batteries
• Inverters
• Installation
• Permitting
• Utility interconnection
• Warranties
• Monitoring
• Zero money down (through financing)

This isn’t just for panels—it’s the total cost of producing your own power, with backup storage and full installation.

How to Evaluate Your Own Solar Savings

Step 1: Know Your Usage

Pull your last 12 months of electric bills. Add up the total kWh you used for the year. That’s the number your solar system needs to offset.

Step 2: Know Your Current Cost per kWh

Look at the total amount you paid, and divide it by your annual usage. If you’re not on CARE or other discounts, your average will likely land between $0.40 and $0.46 per kWh.

Step 3: Compare Solar Cost

Take your monthly solar quote and multiply it by 12. Divide that by the estimated annual production (in kWh). That’s your solar price per kilowatt hour—and your baseline for savings.

What Kind of Savings Can You Expect?

Here’s how the math shakes out for a typical Fresno homeowner using 17,000 kWh per year:

That’s a 44% monthly savings—and it includes everything: equipment, installation, labor, and battery backup.

Over 25 years, those savings add up to nearly $100,000 in avoided utility costs.

What Makes Solar So Much Cheaper?

1. No Utility Overhead

You’re not paying for power plants, transmission lines, or utility executive bonuses. You’re just paying for the equipment and installation.

2. Locked-In Rates

Unlike PG&E rates that rise every year, solar gives you a fixed monthly payment. Financing terms are typically 20–25 years, and most offer zero down.

3. Time-of-Use Protection

Solar + battery systems let you avoid those expensive peak-hour rates by powering your home with stored energy from your batteries during 4–9 p.m.

What If You’re on the CARE Program?

If you qualify for CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy), your PG&E rates are reduced by roughly 30%. That means you’re paying closer to $0.30/kWh instead of $0.42.

Does Solar Still Save You Money?

Yes—but your savings will be smaller. You might see a 20%–25% reduction instead of 40%–50%.

Important note:
You get to keep your CARE program when you go solar. That means:

• If your battery ever runs out, you’re still paying the discounted CARE rate
• CARE pricing applies to any grid power you use (which is rare with the right battery system)

So while the monthly savings are smaller, solar still saves you money—and gives you the added benefit of battery backup and protection from rate hikes.

What Determines If You Can Go Solar?

Solar isn’t just about savings—it’s about whether your home is even a good fit.

Here are the main things we look for:

1. Roof Condition

Your roof should be in good shape and have at least 10–15 years of life left. If not, we can coordinate a re-roof during your solar install.

2. Sunlight Exposure

Your roof needs solid sun exposure—ideally south, west, or east-facing with minimal shade. If not, a ground mount might be a better fit.

3. Electrical Panel Capacity

We check your main breaker and bus bar rating to make sure your system can connect safely. If needed, we can upgrade the panel or install a power control system to meet code.

4. Battery Storage Space

We look for space near your main panel or in your garage to install batteries. Most homes can support 1 to 3 batteries depending on your usage and goals.

Are the Savings Real?

Yes. And we have the customers to prove it.

Hundreds of Central Valley homeowners are already producing their own power for under 20 cents per kilowatt hour—well below PG&E’s rates—and are locked in for the next 25 years.

That means no surprises, no rate hikes, and no more frustration every time the utility bill shows up.

How Long Until You Break Even?

If you’re paying cash, the average solar system in Fresno pays for itself in 5 to 7 years.

If you’re financing, you’re saving from day one—because your monthly solar payment is already less than your utility bill.

Even better? Once the loan is paid off, your cost to produce power drops to nearly zero—because your panels keep producing power for 25 to 30 years.

Summary: How Much Can You Save with Solar?

Let’s recap:

• PG&E average rate: $0.42/kWh
• Solar with battery: $0.185/kWh
• Typical savings: 30%–45% per month
• Long-term savings: Up to $100,000+ over 25 years
• CARE customers still save, just not as dramatically

With financing, you save immediately—no upfront cost

Ready to See Your Solar Savings?

If your roof gets sunlight, your electrical panel is ready, and you’re tired of unpredictable utility bills, you’re in the perfect spot to go solar.

At Supreme Solar and Electric, we design custom solar + battery systems based on your real usage and show you the exact savings—no fluff, no gimmicks, just the math.

Let’s get started. Contact us for a free solar quote today and find out how much you could be saving each month.