Reglas de medición neta y compra de energía solar en San Francisco
San Francisco, California propietarios de viviendas y negocios que instalan energía solar deben seguir una combinación de permisos municipales y normas de la empresa suministradora para la medición neta y la compra de exportaciones. Esta guía explica cómo interactúan los pasos de permisos locales, la interconexión con la compañía eléctrica y las políticas de medición neta de la Comisión de Servicios Públicos de California (CPUC), además de quién hace cumplir el cumplimiento y cómo apelar o reportar problemas. Está dirigida a preguntas comunes sobre elegibilidad, pasos de solicitud, plazos típicos y dónde encontrar formularios oficiales y contactos para planificar una instalación conforme a los requisitos de la ciudad y del estado.
How the rules apply
Net metering determines how exported solar energy is credited and is governed by the CPUC and your retail utility; in San Francisco most customers interconnect with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E). Local city requirements cover building permits, inspections, and electrical work reviewed by the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) and other city agencies. For CPUC policy and state-wide program changes see the CPUC guidance linked below and for PG&E interconnection steps see the utility page.PG&E net metering[1] CPUC net energy metering[2] SFDBI solar permits[3]
Permitting & Local requirements
San Francisco requires permits for rooftop and ground-mounted PV systems and for associated electrical work. Permit review checks structural, fire, and electrical compliance; inspections are required before final sign-off. Work must be performed by licensed contractors where local law requires.
- Solicitud de permiso presentada al SFDBI con planos y diagramas eléctricos.
- Los plazos típicos de revisión e inspección del DBI varían según la carga de trabajo; consulte SFDBI para estimaciones actuales.
- Permisos eléctricos y certificaciones de electricista con licencia requeridos para instalaciones listas para interconexión.
Interconnection & compensation
Interconnection to PG&E requires an application, safety review, and approved equipment. Compensation for exported energy follows CPUC net energy metering rules and PG&E billing practices; export credit methods and rates are established by the CPUC and applied by the utility. Specific export or buyback rates are set by the utility under CPUC rules and may change; the cited CPUC and PG&E pages explain current policies and steps.PG&E net metering[1] CPUC net energy metering[2]
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for noncompliant installations can involve city code enforcement and building code actions; utility-level noncompliance (unsafe interconnection, unauthorized export) is enforced by the utility and regulated by the CPUC. Specific monetary fines or fee schedules for net metering violations are not consistently published on the city pages and may be set by code or utility tariff.
- Enforcer: San Francisco Department of Building Inspection for permits and inspections; PG&E enforces interconnection terms and safety standards.
- Fines: specific dollar amounts for solar/net-metering violations are not specified on the cited city pages; see SFDBI and utility tariff for details.[3]
- Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited pages; administrative orders or stop-work orders may apply.
- Inspection and complaints: report permit or installation concerns to SFDBI; report unsafe interconnection to PG&E safety contacts or file complaints with the CPUC.
Appeals and review: permit denials or enforcement orders from SFDBI have administrative appeal pathways; time limits for appeals are set in the code or permit notice and are not always listed verbatim on the public guidance pages. For utility disputes, customers can seek review via PG&E dispute procedures and file complaints with the CPUC; specific deadlines vary by process and are stated in the applicable notice or tariff.
Applications & Forms
Typical required forms and applications include the SFDBI building and electrical permit application packages and the utility interconnection application. SFDBI publishes permit checklists and submittal requirements; PG&E publishes interconnection application steps and required technical documentation. Specific form numbers or filing fees may be listed on those official pages; if a particular form number is required it is shown on the linked pages.SFDBI solar permits[3] PG&E net metering[1]
FAQ
- Who is eligible for net metering in San Francisco?
- Customers whose systems meet PG&E interconnection and CPUC program eligibility can apply; eligibility details are on the utility and CPUC pages cited above.[1]
- Do I need a city permit before interconnection?
- Yes. You generally need required building and electrical permits and final inspections from SFDBI before final interconnection approval; check SFDBI's solar permit guidance.[3]
- How are exported kilowatt-hours credited?
- Export credits are determined under CPUC net energy metering policies and implemented in PG&E tariffs; specific crediting methods and rates are provided by the CPUC and PG&E pages linked above.[2]
How-To
- Confirm system sizing and installer qualifications and gather site plans and electrical one-line diagrams.
- Submit building and electrical permit applications to SFDBI with required documents and fees; schedule inspections as directed by DBI.
- Apply for utility interconnection with PG&E, provide technical documents, and wait for safety review and approval.
- After passing inspections and receiving utility approval, finalize interconnection and confirm net metering enrollment on your utility account.
Key Takeaways
- Follow both city permits and utility interconnection rules; both are required for lawful operation.
- Compensation for exports is set under CPUC policy and applied by PG&E; rates and methods are on official pages.
Help and Support / Resources
- San Francisco Department of Building Inspection - Solar systems
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission - CleanPowerSF and customer programs
- PG&E - Customer service and interconnection resources
- California Public Utilities Commission - Net energy metering