u/Ill-Ad8378

I’m looking for some advice on upgrading my solar setup to reduce or eliminate my PG&E true-up bill.
Current setup:
• 3.5 kW solar system (older) under NEM 2 under PG&E Electric Home Rate Plan (E-ELEC) in the Central Valley
• Produces ~9 kWh on a good day
Household usage:
• 1 Tesla Model Y (BEV)
• 1 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (PHEV)
• On charging days, I use ~87 kWh total (mostly overnight)
What I’m trying to do:
• Offset as much of my annual true-up as possible
• Ideally add a battery system
• Prefer a hybrid setup where:
• Solar charges the batteries
• I can still pull from the grid when needed for load shedding and storm and cloudy weather
• System is flexible/manageable (not overly complex)
I’ve attached my yearly bill and a typical time-of-use chart.
Questions:
• What size solar system should I be looking at?
• How much battery storage would make sense for my usage?
I prioritize more panels vs. more battery capacity?

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on upgrading my solar setup to reduce or eliminate my PG&E true-up bill.
Current setup:
• 3.5 kW solar system (older)
• Produces ~9 kWh on a good day
Household usage:
• 1 Tesla Model Y (BEV)
• 1 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (PHEV)
• On charging days, I use ~87 kWh total (mostly overnight)
What I’m trying to do:
• Offset as much of my annual true-up as possible
• Ideally add a battery system
• Prefer a hybrid setup where:
• Solar charges the batteries
• I can still pull from the grid when needed for load shedding and storm and cloudy weather
• System is flexible/manageable (not overly complex)
I’ve attached my yearly bill and a typical time-of-use chart.
Questions:
• What size solar system should I be looking at?
• How much battery storage would make sense for my usage?
• Any recommended systems (Ecoflow dpux w/ smart panel 3 ,ECO-WORTHY Powermega 48V 314Ah
etc.) ?
• Should I prioritize more panels vs. more battery capacity?
Appreciate any guidance or real-world experiences!