Solar Savings in San Jose: Rates and 2026 Math

How Much Can You Save in San Jose?

San Jose homeowners on Pacific Gas & Electric pay an average of $250/month at 38.0¢/kWh (Tier 1) and 52.0¢/kWh (Tier 2). With 4.9 peak sun hours per day, a properly sized system can offset 80-90% of your usage, cutting the average bill from $250 to ~$0/month.

What Drives Savings in San Jose?

• Pacific Gas & Electric rate structure: At 52.0¢/kWh for Tier 2, every kWh your panels produce offsets your most expensive grid usage first. That is where the math gets compelling.
• 4.9 peak sun hours: Moderate sun. System sizing is important to maximize ROI.
• NEM 3.0 (since April 2023): Export credits are now ~~$0.05-0.08/kWh, so self-consumption matters most. Size your system for your daytime usage, not maximum export.
• Rate escalation: Pacific Gas & Electric rates have increased 104% (2015-2025, CPUC Public Advocates Office). Each year you wait, your baseline bill grows, making the solar investment more valuable in hindsight.