PG&E has increased rates for all customers to support their poles and wires (T&D). This affects Pioneer and non-Pioneer customers equally – everyone’s rates will go up the exact same dollar amount.
Don’t be misled. We guarantee that Pioneer’s savings over PG&E have not changed. Calculate your savings in El Dorado and Placer County.

Solar Customers Can Enroll Early with Pioneer to Take Advantage of Lower Rates

Woman with Dog and solar home

Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer) will begin enrolling solar customers starting September 2018, based upon the customer’s true-up date. Solar customers interested in taking advantage of Pioneer’s lower electric rates and monthly billing cycle, do not have to wait to enroll. Solar/Net Energy Metering (NEM) customers can enroll early by calling 1 (844) 937-7466.

Pioneer’s generation rate for residential E-1 customers are 7.5% less than PG&E’s. Pioneer also offers a slightly higher net surplus compensation rate for customers who generate more than they consume. Commercial accounts also see savings (visit https://pioneercommunityenergy.org/pioneer-rates/ for a rate comparison).

Pioneer sent a general notice to all solar customers with information about the NEM program for solar including how enrollment, net surplus compensation and billing work. The notice also explains how solar customers retain their current and grandfathered NEM rates. The notices were sent the week of June 25.

Solar/NEM customers will be automatically enrolled on the following schedule, based upon their true-up date:

  • September 2018 (August/September true-ups)
  • November 2018 (October/November true-ups)
  • January 2019 (December/January true-ups)
  • March 2019 (February/March true-ups)
  • May 2019 (April/May)
  • July 2019 (June/July)

Customers will receive four notices starting 60 days before enrollment (two prior to enrollment and two after enrollment). Solar/NEM customers may enroll early or they may wait to receive their notice of automatic enrollment. Receipt of a notice means the customer is scheduled for enrollment and can now decide how they would like to proceed: enroll early, choose to do nothing and automatically become a Pioneer customer, or notify Pioneer that they would like to remain with PG&E for electric generation.

Once enrolled, customers will continue to receive a PG&E bill that will show Pioneer’s generation charges. All payments will continue to be sent to PG&E. Pioneer will provide the electricity, while PG&E will continue to transmit and deliver the electricity, to maintain the power lines, and respond to all service needs, such as power outages. For more information please contact your Pioneer Community Energy team by email at info@pioneercommunityenergy.org or by phone at (916) 758-8969 or 1 (844) YES-PIONEER.

More News from Pioneer

More News from Pioneer

Solar Customers Receive Annual True-Up

Pioneer issued checks to solar customers with a cumulative net surplus of energy (known as Net Surplus Generators) during May for the March/April billing period if their credit balance (calculated at the Net Surplus Compensation Rate) for the past 12 months exceeded $25.00. Credit balances of less than $25.00 were rolled forward and applied to the next bill.

A few of our clients have contacted us to confirm the check’s authenticity. Rest assured, it is indeed real! If you receive a Blue or Orange check from Bill.com with a reference to Pioneer, it is safe to deposit. 

We take pride in helping our solar customers save; Pioneer pays $.005 (1/2 cent) per kWh more than PG&E for any over-production sold back to the grid (Net Surplus Compensation Rate or NSC).Â