How do I reset a circuit breaker?

When a breaker trips, it's generally because too many things were plugged into one circuit. When this happens try the following steps:

1. Unplug the devices on that circuit
2. Find the panel (most often in the garage or laundry room) where the circuit breaker is.
3. In a lot of cases the breaker handle may look slightly out of line with the other breakers, but sometimes they may not look tripped at all. To reset the breaker, first move the switch all the way into the 'off' position. Once you feel it click, then you can switch it back into the 'on' position. This should restore power to the circuit again.

Important Note

If the panel is not labeled properly, it may be difficult to figure out which circuit breaker belongs to which circuit. This could pose a safety issue to you and your family in the event of an emergency where the power needs to be turned off.

Still Not Working?

If resetting the breaker does not restore power to the circuit, or if the breaker does not hold in the 'on' position, you may need to hire an electrician to troubleshoot the issue*. (*See resetting a GFCI for more information.)

What is GFCI, and how do I reset a GFCI outlet?

GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets protect you and your family from potentially deadly electrical shocks. They are most commonly found in places where moisture is a factor: kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, garage and the exterior of the home. GFCI outlets are distinguishable by their 'test' and 'reset' buttons, however these outlets can affect other standard-looking outlets further down the circuit.

If an entire group of outlets go out in one of these areas, follow these steps: 

1. Find the nearest GFCI outlet.
2. Press the 'test' button first.
3. Press 'reset'. This should restore power to the GFCI outlet and all others down the line.

If resetting a GFCI does not restore power to other outlets, there may be another GFCI outlet in or around that area (there should be at least two in every kitchen). Try resetting all GFCI outlets you can find.

Still Not Working?

If a GFCI outlet trips again immediately after being reset, or if power does not return to the GFCI, you may need to hire an electrician to troubleshoot the issue*. (*See resetting a circuit breaker for more information.)

Can Got Watts? connect my panels installed by another company to PG&E?

Due to liability reasons, we do not offer this service.

Does my new solar system have to be connected to PG&E?

For any new solar system to function, PG&E has to upgrade the meter attached to your residence. This process is handled by your solar contractor and, once completed, will ensure your new system functions properly.

How do I know how many solar panels I need?

This will be based on your annual electrical consumption. Your solar designer will help you decide the size of your system based on your usage and needs. Many customers opt in for a 100% coverage of their annual electrical usage, however plenty of customers only want partial coverage. Just move into you home and don't have any electrical data? We recommend gather some PG&E data for a few months to dial in the size of your system although it is not required.

How much does solar cost compared to PG&E?

To provide an accurate comparison, we'll need 12-24 months of your PG&E statements, your property's average energy usage, and whether or not you plan to finance or own your solar PV system.

Is there a difference between kW and kWh?

Yes! kW is the power generating capacity of the solar array whereas kWh is the energy produced from solar within an hour.

What is a microinverter?

Microinverters are essentially individual inverters attached to the underside of each solar panel. These microinverters convert DC energy produced by the solar arrays to usable AC energy that feed the home or the grid.

Will I still receive bills from PG&E?

Yes. Your solar cost projections should also include your 12-month settlement bill (true-up bill) that settles all credits and charges from PG&E. Any charges occur when your energy usage exceeds your panel's output.

Will my home stay on during an outage once the panels are installed?

No. The first reason is for the safety of PG&E crews. Solar PV systems are shut off during an outage to prevent workers from encountering live electrical currents that could result in electrocution.

The second reason is instability caused by the differing amount of energy collected by your panels could damage your home's electrical system. If your panels stayed on during an outage, this would result in damage to your appliances and possibly your electrical panels, as there would be no way to stabilize the solar energy produced.