I'm based in the Bay Area, California, and I'm thinking about using my new Ford F150 Lightning's 7.2kW outlet to power my house. I've got solar panels and a double throw, neutral switching manual transfer switch that I received permits for, completely eliminating the risk of backfeeding. I could potentially reduce my electricity bill to zero for about 300 days a year, which seems more cost-effective than installing a traditional home battery. However, I've come across information suggesting that I need PG&E's permission for this setup and to file for permits. I'm concerned that if my electricity costs drop to zero, PG&E might investigate and even fine me or take legal action. What's the deal with this situation?
4 Answers
If you're connecting a generation resource like your truck, permits are important to make sure everything's set up to prevent backfeed. That way, line workers stay safe, and they know what to expect if there’s a power issue. It's not just about personal safety; it's also about protecting the folks who work on the electrical lines.
Honestly, PG&E can't fine or jail anyone over this. You just need to make sure you’ve got all the right permits from your city or county. But if you’ve already done that with your transfer switch, you should be in the clear. You’re using your equipment as it’s meant to be used without going rogue about it.
You've done a great job setting up a safe system, so you might be fine using that transfer switch. Technically, you can just say your grid is off at night because you’re not pulling from it. However, keep in mind that it might be a good idea to invest in home batteries. Using your truck for this could wear down its battery pretty quickly and replacing that will likely be more expensive than a home battery.
But isn't it unrealistic to expect to leave the truck at home 24/7?
It's just a bunch of bureaucracy really. This red tape isn't unusual when it comes to building permits. Ford is probably pushing for a bidirectional charger, and PG&E might require that too. Just ensure you have everything up to code and you should be fine.
But my transfer switch is already permitted, so that should cover it, right?