How can a Tesla Powerwall earn you $3.47 per kilowatt-hour by selling power back to PG&E during peak times?
The episode opens with host Adam Durand and solar expert Jamie Durand noting a heat wave in Northern California, which is causing a surge in solar inquiries due to high electricity bills. Jamie shares a Halloween-themed solar horror story about a client who has a solar lease for 25 years but no operational system, leading to bills without benefits and a roof leak. He explains that the installing company from Texas is out of business, leaving the homeowner with costly repairs. Jamie then introduces the net billing tariff program, available through PG&E, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric, which pays battery owners for discharging during peak times. He details how Tesla Powerwall 3 uses AI to optimize this, with rates reaching $3.47 per kilowatt-hour in September, potentially earning $1,000 monthly. The discussion covers the trade-offs of switching from NEM 2.0 to NEM 3.0, where excess power credits drop to about 7 cents but battery revenue becomes possible. Jamie notes that PG&E's rising rates, up to 70 cents per kilowatt-hour in Southern California, are making solar more attractive. He advises listeners to carefully consider expansion and highlights Tesla's innovation in battery technology, despite its exit from solar installation. The episode concludes with a call to explore past episodes and recommend the podcast for unbiased solar information.
