Work with PG&E and your contractor


PG&E is here to help you through the process of installing a renewable energy system for your home and connect it to our electric grid. Though your contractor handles most of the steps, we recommend that you, as homeowner, play an active role. Understanding the key steps and the roles and responsibilities can help you set expectations and communicate effectively with your contractor.

STEPS TO INSTALL AND CONNECT

STEP 1Prepare your home and find a contractor

Key Roles: You
Start by making your home more energy efficient. It will allow you to install a smaller renewable energy system and save money. Here’s where to begin:

  • Complete a free PG&E Home Energy Checkup. The results will be a helpful guide in making choices about how to reduce your overall electricity consumption and water usage. Take the Energy Checkup.
  • Find a contractor who meets your needs and budget requirements. PG&E can help you locate experienced contractors in your area and choose from competing bids. Find a contractor.

STEP 2Prepare the Interconnection Agreement

Key Role: Your Contractor
After you and your contractor choose the appropriate renewable energy system for your home, the contractor fills out an application to connect your system to the PG&E electric grid. Your contractor processes the application paperwork and you must sign the Interconnection Agreement. Here’s what to do next:

  • Decide on a rate schedule. When applying, you can keep your current rate schedule or select a new one. Talk to your contractor or PG&E about the best option for your home. Learn about rate options.
  • Check on rebates. Find out about PG&E incentive programs and ask your contractor whether you qualify for rebates. Learn about clean-energy incentives .


Timeline

Ensure that your contractor fills out the Interconnection Agreement application early so that you can start generating energy shortly after your system passes local city or county inspections.

STEP 3Complete installation

Key Roles: Your contractor
Before installation, talk to your contractor to choose a delivery date and get a time estimate for completion. Your contractor ensures the delivery of the energy system and completes the installation at your home.

Timeline

Installation generally takes a few days to a few weeks to complete, depending on any unique conditions of your home or system.

STEP 4Get your system inspected by the city or county

Key Roles: Your contractor and city or county inspectors
To obtain a final building permit, your renewable energy system must pass city or county inspections for safety and code compliance.

For safety reasons, don’t turn on your system until PG&E gives you official written permission to operate it.

Timeline

The timeframe depends on the city or county requirements. Help avoid delays by ensuring that your contractor has arranged for the building permit and scheduled the inspections.

STEP 5Get permission to operate your system

Key Roles: Your contractor and PG&E
To get permission to operate your system, your contractor submits all required paperwork to PG&E. The paperwork includes the Interconnection Application, a line diagram of the system and a copy of the final building permit. After PG&E approves the documents, we’ll upgrade your meter and send you official written permission to operate.

Timeline

After PG&E receives the required paperwork from your contractor, permission to operate your system typically takes 5 to 10 business days, up to a maximum of 30 business days. TIP: Include your email address on the Interconnection Application to receive approval faster by email.

PLEASE NOTE: During the PG&E engineering system review, we may determine that upgrades are needed to support your renewable system. These upgrades may incur a cost and cause delay.