Northern California Is Getting Burned by Utility Bills
Why Northern California Pays the Highest Electricity Rates in the U.S.
And how switching to solar could save you thousands
You’re Not Imagining Things—Your Electric Bill Really Is That High
If you live in Northern California—especially in areas like Sonora, Tuolumne County, or the Sierra Foothills—you’ve probably noticed your electric bill creeping up. Then spiking. Then staying high.
You’re not alone.
You’re not using more energy.
And no—you’re not crazy.
The truth is, Northern California now pays some of the highest residential electricity rates in the entire country. On average, 41¢ per kilowatt hour—nearly triple the national average.
So, why is this happening?
4 Reasons You’re Paying Through the Nose for Electricity
Let’s break it down. Here’s where your money is actually going:
1. Wildfire Liability Costs
PG&E and other utility providers have been found liable for billions in wildfire damages. Those costs? They're being passed directly to customers like you through rate increases.
2. Aging Infrastructure
Much of the electrical grid in NorCal is outdated, fragile, and dangerously overdue for upgrades. Instead of fixing it upfront, utilities patch it together—and charge you more to do it.
3. Profit-Driven Rate Structures
Many rate hikes aren’t tied to increased demand or energy shortages. They’re approved to fund executive bonuses, shareholder dividends, and bureaucracy—not better service.
4. NEM 3.0 Setbacks
California’s Net Energy Metering policy changed in 2023, slashing the value of solar exports back to the grid. That hurts homeowners trying to make solar pencil out—unless they use battery storage, which Central Solar installs with every system.
What Can You Do About It? Simple—Go Solar (the Smart Way)
Look, you can't control utility companies, legislation, or natural disasters. But you can control where your power comes from.
At Central Solar, we help homeowners and business owners take back control.
Here’s what going solar with us actually means:
Cut your bill by 40% to 90%, depending on system size and usage
Store your own power with batteries, so you’re protected from blackouts and grid surges
Lock in your energy rate, no more guessing what next month’s PG&E bill will be
Increase your home’s value and attract eco-conscious buyers
Get peace of mind knowing your system is covered with a 25-year performance warranty
One Local Family’s Bill Dropped from $437 to $53/Month
We recently helped a family just outside Sonora who was struggling with PG&E’s unpredictable billing. Their average monthly power bill was $437.
After we installed a customized solar + battery system, their bill fell to $53—and that’s before additional tax incentives kicked in.
Ready to See What Solar Could Do for You?
We offer a free, no-pressure solar savings analysis.
Just click below to schedule a time. We’ll run the numbers, evaluate your roof, and give you the facts—no gimmicks, no guesswork.
🔋 Schedule My Solar Savings Assessment Now »
Or just shoot us a message that says: “SOLAR” and we’ll take it from there.
You’ve got the sun. You’ve got the roof.
You’ve got options. Let’s put them to work.
