u/Creepy_Cheek_5867

Back in 2019, I installed solar panels plus three Tesla Powerwalls, expecting my PG&E bills to go down significantly.

Instead, my electricity costs have exploded.

Before solar, my annual electricity costs were around $1500/year. Now I’m paying roughly $2000 throughout the year PLUS another ~$1500 true-up bill on top of that. And this year is shaping up to be even worse - I’m seeing monthly bills of $600-$800 despite having solar + batteries.

At this point I’m seriously wondering what the point of solar even is in California anymore.

I’m honestly considering disconnecting from PG&E entirely and investing that money into additional battery storage instead. Not necessarily Tesla, given recent events, but I’d rather spend money increasing energy independence than paying endlessly rising PG&E bills.

Has anyone else here had a similar experience with solar/NEM/Powerwalls in the Bay Area?

Anyone actually living mostly off-grid around here?

The sandcrawler is an excellent tool, but how do you deal with the pesky worm?

Here’s a simple solution:

1. Drop your crawler in the middle of a large field and position the landing carrier next to it.
2. Enter the crawler, turn on the vacuum, and drive BACKWARDS away from the carrier while always facing it, along a radial line from the center to the edge.
3. Once you reach the edge of the rich sand, switch to auto-drive and let it drive forward.
4. While the crawler drives itself back to the carrier, check its storage.

Since you’re always facing your carrier, you’ll have ample time to return to it and take off, even if the worm breaches nearby. Don’t forget to turn off the vacuum or you won’t make it in time!!!

Typically, you’ll have enough time to make three to four (four is pushing it) trips from the center to the edge and back before the worm appears, so it’s best to get into your carrier, pick up the crawler, and hover ~500m off the ground after 3-3.5 runs - you’re likely gonna see a worm somewhere in the distance, heading for the field. Wait for it to leave (when you can no longer see the sand it kicks up) before proceeding.

Choose the richest “petals” to vacuum in both directions (back, then forward). You’ll have your crawler full in four to four and a half radial runs.

Cheers!
D.M.