Many of these customers who zero out their bills still rely on SDG&E’s grid for power when the sun goes down and their panels aren’t producing power. That deal, known as net energy metering, allows solar customers to immediately see reduced or even nonexistent energy bills from SDG&E once they install panels. The additional parts, namely, the battery backup necessary to disconnect from SDG&E, aren’t cheap (or simple to hook up) and solar companies are more interested in pushing the billing arrangement that currently makes going solar such an environmental and financial win. The reason so few people have cut ties with SDG&E are simple. SDG&E only monitors those who remain on the grid, and it estimates about 13 percent of its solar customers produce more power than they need.

It’s not clear how many San Diego County residents have actually gone off grid. “Anybody who’s doing this for financial reasons will look at this and see it doesn’t make any financial sense and won’t do it,” Davis said. Solare Energy co-founder John Davis said his company has helped only two customers go off the grid though dozens more have expressed interest.ĭavis and other solar executives say customers often change their minds when they learn going off the grid will cost them at least twice as much as a regular system. “It’s one of those things it sounds like a great idea because the power company isn’t in charge of you anymore but the reality is the price of independence is very high,” Stellar co-founder Michael Powers said.Įven companies open to helping folks go off the grid aren’t seeing many customers go through with it. Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Sullivan Solar Power and Stellar Solar, two of the region’s largest solar installers, won’t take on those jobs. Many solar businesses aren’t interested in selling an off-the-grid option. Going completely off the grid requires more cash, more equipment and for the average solar customer, a company willing to help. They aren’t paying SDG&E anymore but they’re still relying on it for backup. Most people end up doing something akin to Off-the-Grid Lite. Going off the grid means producing all your own energy, including supplying your own backup power when your solar panels don’t produce enough to support your needs rather than relying on a utility, like SDG&E. But you’ll need more than just solar panels to actually cut the cord. It’s true that a large enough solar panel system will produce as much or even more power than you need, and can offset your SDG&E bills entirely. Many solar converts brag that they’re going to cut their ties with San Diego Gas & Electric and go off the grid. Brews & News: Voice of San Diego Live Podcasts.Few Solar-Powered Homes Are Truly Off the Grid Close

Going Off Grid by S.J.D. Peterson