Chico homeowners face higher PG&E bills as persistent fog dims solar power generation
Action News Now reporter Jerry Olenyn reports on the impact that the thick and persistent tule fog that has been appearing in the valley over the past two weeks is negatively impacting those with solar panels.
CHICO, Calif. — Many Chico homeowners — including those who rely on solar power — are seeing higher-than-expected utility bills this month as cold weather and persistent fog reduce energy efficiency.
The drop in temperatures is driving up the natural gas portion of PG&E bills as families heat their homes. But the dense fog that has lingered over Chico for two weeks is also cutting into solar production.
Royal Aire, a local company that installs solar systems, analyzed output during the recent foggy stretch and found a significant decline.
“We saw solar production drop about 30 percent,” said Tiffany Daarud, the company’s solar project manager. “Your panels are still doing something. You might not see the sun, but the sun still comes through.”
Daarud said the reduction in output forces homeowners to draw more energy from the grid, which increases costs. She noted that production can fall even further during wildfire season, when thick smoke can block sunlight entirely.
“For some perspective, during heavy wildfire smoke, there’s about a 100 percent drop because the sun is completely obstructed,” she said.
While Chico remains covered in dense fog, a short drive up the ridge paints a different picture. In Paradise, skies have been clear and solar panels are operating at normal levels.
Action News Now meteorologist Sade Pullen said the fog pattern is typical following significant rain.
“This is Tule fog,” Pullen said. “It’s common from late fall into winter across the Central Valley and Sacramento Valley.”
The fog is expected to continue until weather conditions shift, leaving many solar users in Chico waiting for clearer skies — and lower bills.