A PG&E bill tells you how much electricity you bought over a billing period. A more detailed usage history helps show when you needed it. For a homeowner comparing solar, battery storage and a qualifying no-upfront-cost PPA, that timing can make the proposal more closely reflect daily life.
This guide uses official sources checked September 13, 2026. Start with your own account records and ask the provider to explain how it uses them.
How do you download PG&E usage history?
PG&E's energy usage tools page gives this route after signing in:
- Open Usage and rates.
- In the Bill period usage section, select View Usage Details.
- Select Green Button Download my data.
For a quote, gather a recent year of electric bills and the available detailed electric usage for the same dates. A full year helps the conversation include seasonal routines. Check that the file covers the correct home and electric service, and tell the specialist about missing periods. Keep gas consumption separate from the electric analysis.
PG&E also offers Share My Data, which lets customers authorize selected companies to receive usage information. A file download and ongoing authorized access are different choices. Review the company, services and access period before authorizing a connection. Do not assume a solar provider participates just because it requests a bill.
Why does timing matter for a solar quote?
PG&E's residential Solar Billing Plan explanation says customers are enrolled in its Electric Home time-of-use plan and may save by reducing grid electricity use from 4–9 p.m. The bill still includes applicable charges alongside export credits.
Consider two hypothetical homes that each use 600 kWh in a month before solar. One uses 120 kWh from 4–9 p.m.; the other uses 240 kWh during those hours. The monthly totals match, but their evening demand differs by 120 kWh. Those invented figures illustrate why an annual total alone cannot describe the opportunity to use stored solar later.
Ask the proposal to show expected solar use at home, battery operation, grid purchases and exports over time. Request the tariff assumptions and remaining charges, including the PG&E Base Services Charge. The example above is not a battery size recommendation or savings calculation.
What else should accompany the records?
Describe planned changes such as an EV, electric heating or more time at home. Label future use as an assumption rather than adding it silently to measured history.
Also provide an outage priority list. PG&E's battery guidance explains that backup duration depends on battery size, consumption and solar availability. Interval usage helps describe routines; it does not establish appliance starting requirements or which circuits support backup. Have the installer assess those separately. Solar recharge requires available sunlight and compatible backup equipment.
Turn the data into a complete PPA comparison
A qualifying no-upfront PPA can provide access to solar while preserving cash. Under the CPUC's PPA explanation, the provider owns the solar system and the homeowner pays for generated electricity.
Compare ongoing PPA payments, any battery charges and remaining utility costs. Confirm eligibility, the starting rate and escalator, term, maintenance, ownership of included batteries and home-sale provisions. Clear usage data improves the comparison; it does not guarantee savings or qualification.
Explore the homeowner journey with your bills, usage history and backup priorities to discuss a system suited to your PG&E home.