Lower Your Electricity Cost with Hourly Flex Pricing
With VCE’s Hourly Flex Pricing pilot program, you can save money on your electric bill by taking advantage of lower-cost energy periods during the day.
Benefits of Hourly Flex Pricing
VCE and PG&E will announce hourly electricity rates 24 hours in advance. When you enroll in the pilot program, you can
- Decrease your energy usage during high-demand periods
- Connect your smart thermostats, irrigation systems, or EV chargers to automatically run during lower-cost times of day
Support Cleaner Energy and a More Reliable Grid
The growing demand for electricity can put a strain on the electric grid. When customers avoid using electricity during hours of peak demand, they can help prevent issues on the grid, while saving money on electric bills.
Shifting electricity use to times of lower demand also helps to ensure that cleaner forms of energy (like wind and solar) are being supplied, minimizing the need for fossil fuel-based energy.
Quick Q&A
What is Hourly Flex Pricing?
Hourly Flex Pricing is a pilot that offers a way to lower energy costs while promoting cleaner energy and a more reliable grid.
How long is the Hourly Flex Pricing pilot?
The Hourly Flex Pricing pilot runs through late 2027.
Is the pilot open to all customers?
The Hourly Flex Pricing pilot is available to qualifying agricultural, commercial, and residential customers.
Are there any risks to joining the pilot?
During this pilot phase, customers never pay more on Hourly Flex Pricing than they would on their regular PG&E bill and can cancel at any time.
Does the pilot impact billing?
Billing is based on the customer's current rate plan. If you do better on the pilot rate, you receive a credit once annually (after 12 months).
Hourly Flex Pricing Eligibility
Agricultural Customers
Agricultural customers that can shift the timing of their electricity use could benefit from this pilot.
Examples include energy use related to irrigation pumping, electric vehicle (EV) charging, or agricultural processes.
Eligibility:
Agricultural customers must be on or switch to one of the following rate plans:
- Ag <35 kW Low Use (AG-A1)
- Ag <35 kW High Use (AG-A2)
- Ag 35+ kW Medium Use (AG-B)
- Ag 35+ kW High Use (AG-C)
Business Customers
Hourly Flex Pricing is open to small, medium and large business customers.
Eligibility:
Businesses must be on or switch to one of the following rate plans:
- Business Low Use Alternative (B6)
- Business Medium Use (B10)
- Business Medium-High Use (B19)
- Business High Use (B20)
Residential Customers
Residential customers may also take advantage of savings from Hourly Flex Pricing.
Eligibility:
Residential customers must be on or switch to one of the following rate plans:
- Electric Home (E-ELLEC) rate plan
- Home Charging (EV2-A)
Ready to Join the Hourly Flex Pricing Pilot?
Start taking advantage of Hourly Flex Pricing savings today. Contact PG&E to learn more about the pilot program.