Monitor and maintain your home’s renewable energy system
Use PG&E tools to track your energy use
With your online account, you can view and manage your net energy use. Net energy is the difference between the energy your home uses and the energy your renewable system produces. Make your online account your go-to resource for viewing energy savings and improving your system performance.
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From your online account dashboard, you can:
- View your bill including how you are tracking towards your solar True-Up.
- Pay your PG&E bill online.
- View graphs of your electricity use and solar summary views by selecting “Energy Usage Details.”
- Discover more ways to save with a PG&E Home Energy Checkup. Visit Home Energy Checkup.
Find out how to monitor your system more closely
Consider a professionally installed monitoring system if you want to track your solar panel performance more closely. When performance drops, the system monitors which panels aren’t working properly and identifies panels that need repair. Many solar contractors install performance monitoring services as part of your overall solar system package. If you need to add such a service, please note that most professional panel monitoring systems require a monthly subscription fee.
The State of California maintains a list of authorized performance monitoring providers (Performance Monitoring Reporting Services).
NOTE: If a leasing company or power purchase provider owns your system, performance monitoring and reporting may be included in your contract. Read your contract for specific terms and conditions.
Wildfire smoke impact on your solar panels
California continues to experience smoke and ash from large wildfires. These can cause a substantial drop in your solar system’s production. Smoke in the air can lower generation by blocking sunlight from reaching your solar panels. Ash and other particulates from wildfires can settle on solar panels and impede production until the panels are cleaned.
If you notice that your system’s performance is dropping, it may be time for a cleaning to ensure that you are maximizing solar bill savings.
Your personal safety is most important. You should not attempt to clean your system if it is not safe to do so. A licensed professional can perform cleaning, inspections, and maintenance. Consider scheduling an appointment if your system’s productivity is decreasing.
NOTE: If a leasing company or power purchase provider owns your system, maintenance and cleaning may be included in your contract. Read your contract for specific terms and conditions.
Get better performance through regular inspections
Regular cleaning can help optimize your solar system’s production.
Dirty solar panels can notably reduce the amount of energy your home generates. Solar panels can become soiled from dust, soot from air pollution, ash from wildfires, bird waste, plant debris (i.e. leaves and twigs from nearby trees), and other sources. Fortunately, regular cleaning can help ensure that your solar panels are generating at their potential.
Your personal safety is most important. You should not attempt to clean your system if it is not safe to do so. A licensed professional can perform cleaning, inspections, and maintenance. Consider scheduling an appointment if your system’s productivity is decreasing.
Have your solar panels regularly inspected and maintained.
We suggests that you have your panels inspected every two years, or when you notice a significant drop in performance during clear weather. Only a licensed professional solar contractor should perform system maintenance and inspections. Solar panel inspectors generally check that:
- Panels are free from soiling or damage
- Wires and connections are secure
- The inverter is functioning properly
- New tree growth or other obstructions shading panels
NOTE: If a leasing company or power purchase provider owns your system, maintenance might be included in your contract. Read your contract for specific terms and conditions.
