Coming in October 2027: Pioneer is expanding into 13 new territories. Learn More Today!
Coming in October 2027: Pioneer is expanding into 13 new territories. Learn More Today!
Pioneer supports customers who want to power their homes with electricity they generate. Through the GridGen program, customers can install an industry-leading Tesla solar-plus-storage system to their home.
Pioneer is partnering with Tesla to install rooftop solar and battery systems to customer’s homes with no up-front cost and no credit underwriting.
GridGen offers a variety of options — everything from full custom home systems to retrofitting battery storage to existing solar, so participants can power their home even when the power is out.
Customers will pay for the energy the system produces and a monthly battery payment on their regular PG&E bill. They will still have Pioneer Community Energy and receive one bill, with a line item for the GridGen program. Participants in the program will benefit from predictable energy costs, a low rate escalator, and long-term program agreement, providing savings for customers throughout the 25-year life of the program.
Solar and/or storage
Through Tesla
Solar-plus-storage through participating contractor
Battery only through participating contractor
Homes with rooftop solar use energy produced by the system during the day when the sun is shining. These homes pull less energy from the electricity grid, which helps save money on energy bills.
Homes with rooftop solar-plus-storage pull even less energy from the grid by using the solar generation to power their home during the day and charge the home’s battery for later use. Later in the evening when the sun is down and solar generation is not available, the home is powered by the energy stored in the battery.
Battery storage also supports a home’s power during power outages. The battery can continue to power essential loads (such as a fridge, lights, medical equipment, etc.) when the grid goes down.
Unlike other solar and storage programs, with Pioneer’s GridGen, solar-plus-storage system charges are added to the customer’s regular utility bill, making it easier for customers to manage.
Solar-plus storage through participating local contractor:
Customers pay for the system directly on their monthly utility bill through a special blended rate that includes the solar panel and battery charged per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate will include a similar, low annual increase, which aims to lock in stable rates over time. A bill example is not available, since rates vary based on several factors including but not limited to contractor specifications and system build.
Tesla Solar-plus-storage:
Customers pay for the system directly on their monthly utility bill through a special rate plus a battery charge. The rate for the program starts at $0.145 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with an additional $115 for the battery. The electricity rate per kWh will increase by 1.90% annually, locking in stable rates. See the bill below for a representation of how this will appear.
Battery only through a local participating contractor
Customers on a battery only plan pay a flat charge on their monthly utility bill, and the rest of their solar billing remains the same as it currently stands. Installation of a battery will not affect your rate plan.
“I chose the GridGen program over others because there were no upfront costs, no waiting eight years to break even, and it was extremely easy. I pushed a couple of buttons on the Tesla website and two months later I had solar.”
-Don B.
Lincoln, CA
Those interested must be Pioneer customers, own their home, and be considered “in good standing” through a history of on-time payments over the last 24 months. There are no other qualifications (no FICO score review, etc). If you live in Pioneer territory but are not currently a customer, please call (844) 937-7466 to re-enroll.
For renters: If the customer currently rents the property and wants solar installed, they should indicate their renter status, when submitting the online interest form https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/gridgen-submission-form/ and an advisor will reach out and explain the additional documentation that landlords need to execute. With the landlord’s consent, renters can also benefit from this amazing program!
Yes. When a customer enrolls in the GridGen program, they agree to buy the power produced and energy services provided by the system on a fixed long-term basis, locking in increasing energy savings over time. The program term is 25 years, which provides customers with 25-years of cost-effective energy and backup battery, with a low annual rate escalator of only 1.9%. Separately, they will agree to allow Tesla or a local certified installer to install and service the system.
Customers have the option to terminate or transfer the program terms after installation by either 1) purchasing the system at fair market value, or 2) transferring to another Pioneer customer who will reside in the location of system installation.
When a customer sells their home, the contract transfers to the new home buyer without any additional credit score (FICO) review and customer underwriting of any kind. Additionally, if the future owner wants to own the system themselves, they may purchase the system at “fair market value.”
With landlord and tenant approval, the landlord can give permission to install and keep the system at the home. The tenant must be enrolled with Pioneer Community Energy and agree to participate in the GridGen program.
The solar panels generate electricity that gets used by the home. At any given time, if the solar is generating more electricity than the house is using, then the excess electricity charges the battery for future consumption. Only if the batteries are fully charged and there isn’t enough load on site to consume the solar energy, then the excess energy will be sent back to the utility and credited to the customer under PG&E’s then-current Solar Billing Plan (SBP) program.
There are two options for this program: solar-plus-storage or battery retrofit. There is no option for solar-only systems.
A fund was established to own the system for the benefit of you and Pioneer Community Energy, which is managed by our financial partner, Participate.Energy.
Customers always have the option to terminate or transfer the program terms, either by 1) purchasing the system at fair market value, or 2) transferring to another CCA customer who will reside in the location of system installation.
