McFarland, CA · Kern County · PG&E Territory
McFarland PG&E Bills Hit
$380–$480 Every Summer.
Solar Changes That.
McFarland sits in the heart of the Central Valley with 270+ sunny days a year and summer heat that pushes A/C costs through the roof. Solar production peaks exactly when your cooling load peaks — and $0-down options mean you can start saving without spending a dollar upfront.
McFarland Has the Sun. PG&E Has the Bill.
McFarland sits in the heart of Kern County's agricultural belt — a tight-knit community where families have worked the land for generations and know the value of a dollar. The San Joaquin Valley sun delivers over 270 days of solar production per year, and summer temperatures regularly top 100°F. The average McFarland homeowner pays $230–$260/month to PG&E, with summer bills spiking to $380–$460 when the A/C runs hard. Solar makes the same kind of sense here it always has — strong resource, measurable return, lower monthly costs.
Central Valley Sun. Lower Monthly Costs. Real Savings.
Under NEM 3.0, PG&E pays only 5–8¢/kWh for excess solar you export midday. But every kWh your system produces and your home uses directly is worth $0.30–$0.42/kWh in avoided charges. In McFarland, your A/C runs hardest June through September — the same months your panels produce the most. That alignment means most of your solar production gets consumed by your home at full retail value. A battery captures whatever A/C doesn't use and discharges it during PG&E's expensive 4–9pm window — maximizing savings on every single day of summer.
Your Options. Real Numbers. No Pressure.
Every McFarland home is different — roof size, summer usage, credit profile, and household goals all matter. Here's a plain-English breakdown of every available option and who each one fits best. A free estimate gives you exact numbers for your specific home and bill — no obligation.
- 13.5 kWh usable capacity
- Integrated solar + battery inverter
- Time-Based Control for NEM 3.0
- 20% backup reserve protected
- 9.7 kWh usable · stackable
- Works with SolarEdge inverters
- Strong monitoring platform
- 5 kWh per unit · stackable
- Microinverter-based system
- Per-panel monitoring
Questions McFarland Homeowners Ask Us
Straight answers on PG&E rates, NEM 3.0, summer bills, battery storage, financing options, and what going solar actually looks like for McFarland families.
Is solar worth it in McFarland under NEM 3.0?
Yes. McFarland is a strong NEM 3.0 market because of the summer heat. Under NEM 3.0, the value shifts from exporting power to self-consuming it. Every kWh your panels produce and your home uses directly is worth $0.30–$0.42 in avoided PG&E charges.
In McFarland your A/C runs hardest June through September — the same months your panels produce the most. That alignment means most of your production gets consumed directly at full retail value. Add a battery and you capture virtually all of it — including during PG&E's expensive 4–9pm peak window. The math works better here than most California markets.
What utility serves McFarland — PG&E or SCE?
The majority of McFarland residential addresses — approximately 87% — are served by PG&E. A smaller portion of the city is served by Southern California Edison (SCE). This page is built for PG&E customers.
If you're unsure which utility serves your address, check your electric bill — your utility name appears at the top. Both PG&E and SCE customers in McFarland are eligible for solar and battery storage. Your free estimate will be tailored to whichever utility serves your home.
Why is my McFarland PG&E bill so high in summer?
Two reasons: extreme A/C load and PG&E's time-of-use rate structure. McFarland regularly hits 100°F+ in July and August, and air conditioning can account for 50–60% of annual electricity usage concentrated in just four months.
PG&E's TOU rates charge more during the 4–9pm peak window — exactly when most families are home and the A/C is still running full blast. A solar + battery system attacks both: panels handle the daytime cooling load and a battery covers the expensive evening hours.
Do I need good credit to go solar in McFarland?
It depends on the financing option. For GoodLeap and EnFin PPA products, a 650+ credit score is typically required. For the best loan rates (5.99% APR), a 720+ score is needed.
However, PACE financing requires no minimum credit score — approval is based on home equity and property tax payment history. The Prepaid Solar Lease can also be paid with cash or financed through Credit Human or Wheelhouse Credit Union, both of which may have more flexible terms. We'll find the right option for your situation during your free estimate — no obligation to proceed.
The federal solar tax credit is gone — does solar still make sense?
Yes. The Prepaid Solar Lease is specifically designed for the post-ITC environment. A third party owns the system, claims the federal 48E tax credit, and passes a 30% discount directly to you at signing — no personal tax liability required.
Retirees, farmworkers, W-2 employees, and fixed-income households all qualify equally. The 30% discount at signing combined with McFarland's summer bills and strong solar production means the economics still work well in 2026.
How much can I save on my PG&E bill with solar in McFarland?
Most McFarland homeowners with a properly sized solar + battery system reduce their annual PG&E spend by 70–90%. The exact amount depends on your roof size, system design, and how much of your production is self-consumed versus exported.
The biggest savings come in summer — when your $440–$460 monthly bills are driven almost entirely by A/C load that solar directly offsets. The months your bill hurts most are the months your panels produce the most — that timing alignment is what makes McFarland such a strong solar market. Run your numbers in 60 seconds →
Will solar keep my home powered during a PG&E outage?
Only if you have a battery. Solar panels alone shut off during a grid outage — a safety requirement to protect utility workers on the line. A Tesla Powerwall paired with your solar system creates an automatic backup circuit that keeps essential loads running — A/C, refrigerator, lights, medical devices — during any PG&E outage including PSPS events.
In McFarland's summer heat, losing power means losing A/C. For families with young children, elderly parents, or medical equipment at home, a battery isn't just a financial upgrade — it's peace of mind.
How long does solar installation take in McFarland?
From signed agreement to panels on your roof, the typical timeline in McFarland is 30–45 days depending on Kern County permitting schedules and PG&E interconnection timing. Physical installation takes one to two days.
Solar With Watts handles all permitting, PG&E utility coordination, and interconnection applications. You don't manage any paperwork — we handle it start to finish.
Does solar increase my property taxes in McFarland?
No. California's Active Solar Energy System Exclusion prevents solar installations from triggering a property tax reassessment. Your property taxes will not increase because you installed solar — even though a solar system adds real resale value to your home.
For McFarland families investing in their property for the long term, solar adds value without adding tax burden — a straightforward benefit for multi-generational homeowners.
Kern County Solar Coverage
We Serve All of Kern County — PG&E Territory
Solar With Watts covers Bakersfield and surrounding communities across Kern County. See solar options and pricing for your city — or visit the full Bakersfield hub for complete program details.
Stop Sending $245/Month to PG&E Every Summer.
McFarland families work hard for every dollar. Solar puts that money back where it belongs — in your household budget, not PG&E's pocket. Tell us about your home and bill and we'll show you every option available, real numbers, no pressure. Takes 60 seconds.