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Does your towel make you levitate?

Let me talk to you about my favorite towel of my entire life, Peshtemals. But I have to let you know, we’re not going to be talking about how plush it is. It isn’t the thickest towel. It isn’t the softest towel, but it’s still my favorite towel. And it’s for a number of reasons that you wouldn’t know unless you had these towels.

  • fast-drying
  • packable
  • durable
  • stylish
  • more hygienic
  • convenient

But what makes these towels most remarkable is how much they can help you save on your home electric costs!

Peshtemals, also known as Turkish towels, or hammam towels, were created during the Ottoman Empire in modern day Turkey. They are thin cotton towels that are the perfect do-it-all towel for home use, beach use, gym/ spa, etc., and have become popular globally because of their functionality and versatility.

Peshtemals are fast drying, packable and durable. The fabric is made using 100% Turkish cotton, regarded for its long fibers and softness, spun from manually operated looms in Turkey. The cotton is tightly woven, making it strong and highly absorbent without taking up too much space. The tightly spun fibers help repel sand and earth easier than other fabrics making it perfect for beach days or picnics. Their stylish designs make them perfect decorative pieces and furniture covers as well.

When you’re visiting someone’s house, the guest towels are sometimes the thickest, plushest towels, too thick to be useful. You wouldn’t take a thick plush towel to the swimming pool or the beach and put it down in the sand because it would pick up a lot of sand and grime in those thick plush fibers.

You’re already aware of a variety of towels and that certain towels serve certain purposes. Towels can be made of a variety of fabrics including cotton, cotton polyester blends, linen, bamboo, and synthetic microfibers. Cotton is common because it is soft and absorbent, linen is known for its durability, bamboo is prized for its sustainable softness, and microfibers are known to be quick drying.

Peshtemals are more hygienic

Doctors recommend that when drying ourselves off we pat ourselves dry rather than rub. With a plush towel, you can rub the thick sock fibers over your skin with some force to it. But you might not do that with a thinner towel because it might scratch your skin. If you’re not wanting to be abrasive, you would pat.

Doctors also recommend that we should be washing our towels after each use because dead skin and bacteria collect on the towel and grow when it’s hanging on the towel rack. We may be reusing the plush towel for days in a row and then try to dry it out between the days and that doesn’t work because it introduces new bacteria colonies to the skin. So instead of going that way and reusing thick towels, use these thin towels and wash them after each use – you can fit 2 to 3 times as many peshtemal towels in the washer!

Peshtemals are so convenient

You can take it anywhere! For example, in your carry on luggage, you can pack for about three or four days of clothes and towel for each day. You wouldn’t be able to fit four traditional bath towels and have any room left for your clothes. But you can take a peshtemal towel with you because it’s very lightweight. In fact, when I travel, I might take a whole week’s worth of peshtemals in my bag because I’m a swimmer. So I might swim two or three times on that three or four day trip. I might take four towels and clothes for three to four days, all in one carry-on bag. And you just can’t do that with any other towel.

Wanna FREE Makello towel? Come to Elementary Institute of Science Oct 24, 2026 @ 11am-2pm, and Book an Appointment for Energy Analysis, and securely share your utility data.

Utility Cost Savings

Understanding your energy profile is critically important for being able to take control of your energy independence, so that you don’t have to buy too much solar or too much battery to get to your goal, and your energy profile is affected by usage such as washing your towels.

I’m sure we’ve all experienced over loading the washer with thick, plush towels to the point the spin cycle stops working and the towels are left just sitting in still water. We’re forced to run another wash cycle and sometimes the final spin cycle doesn’t ring out enough water and then we have to leave them in the dryer longer, increasing energy costs even more!

Plush towels increase the electric bill more, especially at times of the year when the solar power isn’t producing as much. If you’re running all this extra power to dry your laundry when it didn’t need to be that wet anyways, there’s an incredible amount of savings in changing your towels.

Instead of three plush towels, you can now wash up to 15 peshtemal towels in one load and the washer will not be overloaded. And when it spins dry, it’ll be much drier. And then the heat pump clothes dryer doesn’t have to go through as long a cycle.

Wanna FREE Makello towel? Come to Elementary Institute of Science, 608 51st Street, San Diego, CA 92114, on Oct 24, 2026 @ 11am-2pm.

Register for Climate Action Week @ EIS here.

When you Book an Appointment for Energy Analysis, and securely share your utility data, you’ll get a FREE Peshtemal Beach Towel: Full length, lightweight, compact, sand resistant weave, and water & energy efficient. Up to 15 towels per large washer!

Book a FREE Call

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A Measured Impact of SDGE Devastating Export Credit Rate Drop

What changed with SDG&E rates?

Suggested electric solar-battery usage for Midday solar charging and Peak Rate electric battery consumption.

Effective May 1, 2026, SDG&E replaced the weekday Off-Peak rate with Super Off-Peak rate between 10am and 2pm year round. Previously those midday solar peak production hours were credited for Export to SDG&E at Off-Peak rate credit value, in every month except March and April.  SDG&E On-Peak rate remains 4pm to 9pm.  Weekends remain on the same Super Off-Peak rate as before during midday 10am-2pm. 

For a customer on grandfathered Net Energy Metering (NEM) tariff, moving the lowest cost Super-Off Peak rate to the peak solar production hours cuts the export value. Accounts with loads that consume solar power midday instead of exporting solar power to SDG&E, are unaffected or slightly better off, because the cost of importing electricity during those hours became cheaper.

SDG&E 10am-2pm Super Off-Peak Rate Change: Measured Impact Across the Customer Base

The Center for Community Energy and Makello.com analyzed 60 Green Energy EPC by Makello installed solar or solar-battery customer’s SDG&E metered interval data, which is slightly more than 10% of Green Energy EPC by Makello’s 550 installed customer base.  Fifty-four of the 60 accounts analyzed will pay more because of the change SDG&E made on May 1, 2026, and only 6 pay less. The combined increase is $6,456 a year, however the same 60 properties would save $43,655 a year with the addition of a 13.5kWh battery, which is about 7 times the cost of the Super Off-Peak midday period change that decreased the Solar Export Credit Value.

How were the numbers produced?

Each premise’s own metered intervals were re-priced twice, once under the Off-Peak rate, and once under the Super Off-Peak rate. The electric load, utility rate and the  solar or solar-battery system are the same in both runs. The only difference is which SDG&E rate the midday hours fall, so the difference between the two runs is caused by the period change and by nothing else. These are measurements, not estimates. 

Click to see our related article: "Utility Pirates Stole Your Solar Treasure"

See our related article:
“Utility Pirates Stole Your Solar Treasure”

Under Net Energy Metering (NEM), each period’s net kilowatt hours (kWh) settles at that period’s generation rate. Delivery is close to flat across periods and earns no credit on export, so it is unaffected by the change and drops out.

Did SDG&E devalue your solar export credits in ‘Midday Super Off-Peak’ rate change? Find out: send a utility bill PDF, Interval data CSV to info@makello.com

The whole bill moves by the amount shown below. 

SourceNumber of Meters MeasuredNumber with higher SDG&E billAnnual Cost Increase
Green Button 1111$1,253
UtilityAPI4943$5,203
Combined6054$6,456

The potential add-on battery figure is a separate simulation on the same interval data, for charging the battery from solar surplus, and discharging the battery against the 4pm to 9pm Peak Rate. 

Annual increase for Existing Solar SDG&E AccountsNumber of Meters MeasuredAnnual Utility Cost Increase for 10am-2pmAdd-On Battery Annual Savings for 10am-2pm
Over $3001$705$1,715
$200 to $3004$1,017$4,653
$100 to $20023$3,265$19,104
$50 to $10020$1,530$14,269
Under $5012-$61$3,914

Every measured meter, sorted by Annual Cost Increase

CustomerCityCCAScheduleSuper Off-Peak rate change Cost / (Benefit) per year 10am-2pmPotential Annual Battery Cost Savings 10am-2pm (13.5 kWh example)
C.B.El CajonSDCPDR-SES$705$1,715
E.L.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR$288$1,000
D.D.San DiegoSDCPDR-SES$267$1,702
P. F.EncinitasSDCPDR-SES$236$810
E.W.EscondidoCEADR-SES$226$1,141
K. J.La MesaSDCPTOU-DR1$194$728
M.D.EscondidoSDCPDR-SES$191$807
B.B.OceansideCEAEV-TOU-5$188$970
R.C.OceansideCEATOU-DR1$183$625
C.D.CarlsbadCEADR-SES$180$683
C.P.AlpineSDCPTOU-DR1$172$1,103
L.W.San DiegoSDCPDR-SES$168$509
S.P.La JollaSDCPDR-SES$157$1,351
G.S.San DiegoSDCPEV-TOU-5$156$873
R.W.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$154$1,032
J.Z.EscondidoCEATOU-DR1$150$1,164
C.C.San DiegoSDCPEV-TOU-5$131$1,208  
D.M.EncinitasSDCPDR-SES$127$768
G.B.San DiegoSDCPDR-SES$124$1,180
R.D.El CajonSDCPTOU-DR1$118$661
O.T.San DiegoSDCPDR-SES$113$938
E.H.La MesaSDCPDR-SES$113$568
S.B.Chula VistaSDCPDR-SES$113$482
M.D.Rancho Santa FeSDCPEV-TOU-5$112$864
R.G.FallbrookSDCPTOU-DR1$110$393
J.G.San DiegoSDCPEV-TOU-5$106$956
A.K.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$104$658
S.M.EncinitasSDCPEV-TOU-2$101$583
T.W.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1$99$638
L.G.CarlsbadCEAEV-TOU-2$96$544
D.Y.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1$96$698
D.M.EncinitasSDCPEV-TOU-5$89$254
E.M.CarlsbadCEATOU-DR$89$814
C.C.EscondidoSDCPTOU-DR1$89$900
J.S.La JollaSDCPDR-SES$88$430
J.O.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR$85$974
M.M.EncinitasSDCPEV-TOU-5$80$951
C.W.San DiegoSDCPDR-SES$79$675
E.B.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$76$634
E.S.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1$76$877
D.M.San DiegoSDCPEV-TOU-2$74$797
S.G.La MesaSDCPDR-SES$72$1,041
N.G.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1$68$628
T.G.EscondidoSDCPDR-SES$57$639
D.S.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR$56$587
A.J.EncinitasSDCPEV-TOU-5$55$655
A.S.EncinitasSDCPDR-SES$53$971
A.B.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$53$562
L.B.San DiegoSDCPEV-TOU-5$43$460
J.P.El CajonSDCPTOU-DR1$39$642
C.P.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$38$923
P.H.San DiegoSDCPTOU-DR1$35$360
T.U.Spring ValleySDCPDR-SES$26$84  
D.G.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1$12$437
S.M.VistaSDCPTOU-DR1($1)$299
B.R.Del MarCEATOU-DR1($4)$214
C.B.CarlsbadCEADR-SES($9)$12
B.G.La JollaSDCPTOU-DR1($27)$349
A.A.EncinitasSDCPTOU-DR1($63)$40
A.E.La JollaSDCPEV-TOU-5($150)$94 

What the numbers say- Only midday exporters are hurt, making a battery even more useful

The median SDG&E increase is $96 a year and the mean is $108. Clean Energy Alliance(CEA) customers are hit harder per meter, on average $122 annual increase, vs  $105 annual increase for San Diego Community Power(SDCP) generation customers.  The reason for the difference between the two Community Choice Aggregators (CCA) is because the gap between Clean Energy Alliance’s(CEA’s) Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak rates is wider than the gap between San Diego Community Power’s(SDCP’s) Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak rates. 

Only 6 utility meters are better off with the midday rate change, by as much as $150 a year, because they import or self consume at midday instead of exporting, so cheaper Super Off-Peak rate helps them. The dividing line is whether the array is sending excess solar power to the grid at midday, or otherwise that the electric loads are consuming the solar power. A battery is a load that absorbs the excess solar production and stores it for use later when utility rates are higher, or when there is a utility outage.  

How each customer’s CCA was determined

The generation provider matters, since Clean Energy Alliance(CEA) and San Diego Community Power(SDCP) price the affected hours differently. The pricing difference was resolved two ways. First, the best resolution is reading the generation supplier from their own bills. From our sample data, forty-one of the forty-nine UtilityAPI meters’ intervals were read directly from the supplier named on their own bills. That is ground truth and needs no assumption. The remaining 8 were assigned by town, on the basis that Community Choice Aggregator(CCA) membership enrollment is automatic and only 1%-2% of customers choose to opt out. 

The town to CCA map was derived from the bills of the other customers rather than from general knowledge, then checked against the identified customer. Cross checking the data this way caught two errors. The word Vista appears inside Chula Vista, which would have put seven San Diego Community Power customers into Clean Energy Alliance. Escondido turns out to be genuinely mixed, with both suppliers serving different Escondido addresses in the bill data, so the Community Choice Aggregator (CCA) cannot be reliably assigned solely by town name. Escondido and Vista addresses default to SDCP if billing information is not available, which produces a more conservative result.

Data that was excluded from our sample and why

Nine meters were not included in the analysis. Five meters did not have any interval data. Two meters did not have a resolvable supplier or a recognisable town indicated on their interval data. One meter is served by a third party rather than a CCA so these rates do not apply, and one meter was a duplicate.

Additionally, twenty solar exporters are on tiered or two period schedules that the recent SDGE Super Off Peak Hours change does not impact. Two solar exporters are on tariffs that could not be classified. Where a premise had several meters over time, through a meter change or a replacement, only the most recent was counted. For example, three different meters over time at one address would otherwise have counted that customer three times.

Analysis Assumptions

Whenever the numbers above are quoted we used annual netting rather than monthly banking with a true up. With regards to the battery impact, battery dispatch is a simple rule, charge from surplus and discharge against the on peak window, so it is a working figure rather than an optimised one. Delivery is treated as flat across periods, which the bills support. Battery savings are gross energy savings before equipment cost, so they are a savings side and not a payback. Where a customer’s interval history is shorter than a year, we scaled the result to a year, and the number of days behind each figure is in the underlying data.

Key Takeaways

California has the enviable position of producing so much excess solar at noon that there often aren’t enough loads to utilize the solar production being pushed out to the grid. Switching from a spinning the meter backwards to earn credits mindset to using a battery to capture excess production and discharge the battery during on-peak periods can be a game changer for solar customers now that those midday export credits have been devalued.

The goal is no longer to indiscriminately export excess to the grid during high solar production periods but rather to utilize energy storage to hold excess production onsite and discharge the battery during the periods of the day with the most expensive rates with onsite loads prioritized before excess is exported to the grid.

Thank you, Jose and Center for Community Energy, for the excellent research and analysis!

How much did SDG&E devalue your solar export credits in ‘Midday Super Off-Peak’ rate change? Find out: send a utility bill PDF, Interval data CSV to info@makello.com

Don’t know how to find your data?

Click here for a guide or here for a video.

Request a Quote for Energy Storage

Makello is an authorized distributor for Green Energy EPC by Makello, Inc. CA Lic #1110498

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    Utility Pirates Stole Your Solar Treasure!

    SDGE solar export credit value just dropped 11%-71% during 10am-2pm solar peak production hours

    SDG&E Changed the Rules – Is Your Solar Investment Losing Value?

    If you invested in solar power to lower your electric bills and gain more control over your energy costs, there’s something you need to know:

    Your solar panels produce the same clean electricity as always.  What’s changed is the solar export credit value just dropped 11%-71% during peak solar production hours, making a battery even more useful.

    With SDG&E’s newer time-of-use rate plans, the excess solar energy you send to the grid during the peak solar production hours of the day is worth far less than electricity you buy back during expensive evening and morning hours.

    So while your solar system may be performing as expected, many owners are finding their savings aren’t what they used to be and bills went up!

    If you are interested how the rate change may affect you, send us your utility interval data and a pdf of your most recent bill. A video with instructions can be found here or a written guide can be found here.

    The Rules Have Changed

    Utilities can change rate structures—even after you’ve invested in solar.

    That means the value of your solar overproduction credits can shrink while the cost of buying electricity later in the day continues to rise.

    “If my solar is producing the same energy, why are my bills increasing?”

    Keep More of What You Produce

    The solution isn’t necessarily more solar—it’s using more of the solar energy you already generate.  Run the loads during the solar production hours and add energy storage for the loads that must run after 4pm.

    A battery stores your excess daytime production so you can power your life during expensive evening hours instead of purchasing electricity from the grid.

    The more solar energy you use, the less you’re affected by utility rate changes.

    Protect Your Investment

    Your solar investment is still valuable – but today’s rate structures reward owners who maximize their own energy use.

    Produce it. Store it. Use it yourself.  If you don’t have battery, get it now!

    That’s how you keep more of your savings—and more control over your energy future.

    Don’t let changing utility rates determine the value of your investment. Keep your treasure where it belongs—with you.

    GET IN CHARGE OF YOUR ENERGY!

    Get a Free Energy Analysis

    Posted on

    Can Your Home-Based Business Qualify for Solar + Battery Tax Credits?

    If you own a business and work from home, your solar and battery installation may qualify for significant federal tax credits and rebates.

    Many business owners don’t realize that the business-use portion of their home can unlock commercial clean energy incentives through the federal 48E tax incentive structure, potentially allowing them to claim a substantial percentage of the system cost.


    How Business Use Qualification Works
    If part of your home is used for business purposes, the solar and battery system may qualify proportionally based on either:

    ● Square footage used for business

    ● Percentage of total energy use attributed to the business

    This means business use may qualify for up to 78% solar-battery incentives proportionally, depending on your tax structure and eligibility.

    For example:
    If 40% of your home’s energy use supports your business operations, your eligible incentives may apply to that 40% business-use portion.


    Incentives for Non-Profit Organizations
    Eligible non-profit organizations may qualify for:
    Federal Incentives

    ● 30% Solar Tax Credit (as a rebate)

    ● +10% Domestic Content

    ● +10% Energy Community

    Total Potential Benefit
    Up to 50% Rebate × Business Use %
    This can significantly reduce upfront costs for qualifying churches, schools, charities, and other nonprofit entities operating from owned properties.


    Incentives for For-Profit Organizations
    Eligible for-profit businesses may qualify for:
    Federal Incentives

    ● 30% Solar Tax Credit

    ● +10% Domestic Content Tax Credit

    ● +10% Domestic Content Tax Credit

    ● +15% to 28% Depreciation

    ● Based on tax filing category

    ● Gross income

    ● Depreciation method used

    Total Potential Benefit
    Up to 65%–78% Tax Credit × Business Use %
    This makes solar + battery systems one of the most powerful tax-advantaged investments available for business owners.


    Who May Qualify?
    Home office or business-related usage on a residential meter may qualify if the business generates income from one of the following:

    ● Self-employed individuals reporting business income on Schedule C

    ● Independent contractors

    ● Sole proprietors

    ● Single-member LLCs taxed as sole proprietorships

    ● Partners in partnerships (subject to specific rules)

    ● S-corporation shareholders (via corporate accountable plan reimbursements)

    Important Note
    A remote employee working from a home office cannot claim Business Use deduction. However, an employee-owner may qualify depending on structure and reimbursement setup.


    How to Reserve Federal Tax Credits


    To qualify for Federal Income Tax Credits and Depreciation for Business Use:

    Option A
    Pay a minimum of 5% of the Gross Cost by July 4, 2026
    to reserve the tax credit and install by 2030.

    Option B
    Pay a $1,000 Down Payment
    and install by December 31, 2027.

    These timelines may help preserve eligibility under current federal incentive programs.


    Why This Matters
    Solar + battery systems are no longer just energy upgrades—they are strategic financial tools. For business owners working from home, the right system structure may deliver:

    ● Lower utility costs

    ● Backup power security

    ● Major federal tax savings

    ● Accelerated depreciation benefits

    ● Improved long-term property value

    Understanding your business-use percentage can make a major difference in total savings.


    Disclaimer: Makello.com and Green Energy EPC by Makello, Inc. are not tax experts.
    This article is for informational purposes only and is not tax advice. We cannot guarantee incentive acceptance, fund availability, or final incentive amounts. Please consult your CPA or tax professional regarding your specific eligibility for business-use solar incentives on residential or commercial properties.

    Posted on

    Reserve Up to 78% Solar-Battery Incentives by July 4, 2026!

    Safe Harbor for Solar & Battery Incentives in 2026: What Owners Need to Know

    If you’ve been thinking about adding solar or battery storage to your property, 2026 brings a mix of opportunity and urgency. The landscape has shifted significantly over the past two years, and understanding what’s changed could make a substantial difference in your long-term savings.

    The Big Change: Tax Credits in 2026

    ● Residential personal-use 30% solar and battery tax credits ended in 2025.

    ● However, solar and battery systems tied to Business Use are still eligible for tax credits in 2026, and these projects can be reserved now and built through 2030.

    This means both commercial properties, and residential properties where homeowners who can legitimately classify part of their energy usage as business-related, such as a home office, rental activity, or EV used for business, may still qualify for meaningful incentives.

    Why Timing Matters

    There is a critical window to act. Contracts signed and a minimum of 5% Safe Harbor fee received before July 4, 2026 may still qualify for incentives, even if adjustments are made later through change orders. This gives owners flexibility while locking in potential financial benefits.

    Exploring Your Options in Residential Business Use

    Every home and energy setup is different, but most scenarios fall into a few categories:

    ● NEM Expansion (e.g., 3-module add-ons)
    Ideal for homeowners looking to expand an existing system without losing the cost savings from a grandfathered utility rate.

    ● Solar + battery combinations
    Increasingly popular due to rising electricity rates and grid instability.

    ● Battery-only installations
    A strong option for homes already equipped with solar.

    Within each of these, eligibility and savings can vary due to several factors.

    Here are some examples of common scenarios for comparison:

    ● Busine Use Percentage

    ● Availability of local rebates (like San Diego Community Power’s Battery Savings Program)

    ● Whether the system is designed for backup power vs. cost savings

    Battery Systems: A Growing Trend

    While the solar market has slowed, battery adoption is accelerating. Homeowners are prioritizing energy independence and protection against outages.

    It’s also worth noting:

    ● A battery designed purely for cost savings can be $4,000–$6,000 less expensive than a full backup system.

    ● Battery installations are more complex, requiring more labor, which affects pricing and margins.

    Market Reality: A Volatile Few Years

    The solar industry has experienced major turbulence:

    ● Equipment prices have fluctuated due to tariffs, inflation, and supply chain disruptions

    ● The market saw a sharp contraction in 2024–2025, with many companies shrinking or exiting

    ● 2026 is shaping up to be one of the lowest-volume solar installation years in recent history

    Credit: Ohm Analytics dashboard marketplace

    At the same time:

    ● Electricity rates have increased ~8% annually since 2018, doubling roughly every 7–9 years depending on rate structures

    ● The average solar PV cost/watt in 2025 ranged from $4.50 to $7.50 per watt, with regional averages around $6/watt, due to the 1kW CEC-AC add-on NEM Expansion limit.

    Credit: CALSSA member newsletter. Click to become a CALSSA Member
    Credit: Ohm Analytics dashboard marketplace

    What This Means for You

    Despite market uncertainty, the fundamentals still favor energy investment:

    ● Utility rates continue to rise steadily and SDG&E is already the highest cost utility power in the U.S., at $0.91/kWh Peak Rate (EV-TOU).

    ● Battery adoption is increasing due to real-world reliability needs

    ● Incentives still exist—but are now more nuanced and tied to usage type

    The key question is no longer just “Should I go solar?” but rather:
    “How can I structure my system to maximize savings under current rules?”

    Final Thoughts

    2026 isn’t the easiest year to navigate solar decisions—but it may be one of the most strategic.

    If you’re considering solar or battery:

    ● Evaluate whether any portion qualifies as business use

    ● Understand your rate plan and energy consumption patterns

    ● Act before key deadlines to preserve eligibility

    The opportunity hasn’t disappeared—it’s just become more tailored.

    There’s a variety of options available for Residential Business Use NEM Expansion, for existing solar. Green Energy EPC by Makello, Inc has many hundreds of Current Customers with Net Energy Metering registrations that are eligible for an Alumni Discount. Click on the option that best matches your add-on Solar Only, Solar-Battery, or Battery Only NEM Expansion cost summary, to see a contract that is available for you to fill out, sign and return by May 1, 2027. Of course, Makello.com will be glad to help you through the process.

    Solar Only Solar & BatteryBattery Only
    0% Business Use
    25 % Business Use
    100 % Business Use

    Remember you have until 2030 to build. You only need to pay a minimum of 5% before July 4, 2026 to Reserve your Solar Tax Credit and Depreciation incentives!

    Posted on

    How Do You Download Your 15 Minute Interval Data?


    You are working a solar company and they have a lot of questions to determine the optimal system size that best matches your energy goals. Now you’ve been asked to download your SDGE Energy Usage data. There’s Green Button Data, Utility API Authorization, Two-Factor Verification or any other number of options. What do you need to do and how do you do it?

    At Makello, we request either downloading Green Button data in 15 minute intervals from your SDGE account or to authorize Utility API collection of data on your behalf and this article will focus on those methods.

    Get an Ethical Energy Savings Report

    SDGE My Energy Center Login

    The first step to downloading your interval data from SDGE My Energy Center is to navigate to https://www.sdge.com/

    Click on Login in the home page if you have already set up an online account to view your SDGE bills. First Time Users of SDGE My Energy Center should click on Set Up Today and follow the steps to register. You may have to login after registration. If you have two factor authentication activated, you will be asked to enter in a code that is sent to the email or phone number you have on file.

    Green Button Data Download

    After successful log in, you will see your dashboard. The dashboard design may vary due to your enrollment in a Community Choice Aggregator or not.

    Click on the Usage tab at the top of the dashboard.

    You can download your data from your Usage page.
    1. Select Usage from the drop down menu in the Usage Tab.
    2. Select your electric Meter from the drop down menu on the right side of the page.
    3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
    4. In the bottom left corner, you will see button for Download Excel and Green Button Download.
    5. Click on Green Button Download to download data.  

    6. Set the date in the drop-down tab to download as many months of data as possible. Twelve (12) full months of data is preferred but one month of usage data is needed if  available.  
    7. Under the Select Format heading, click .csv button (this step applies to electric meters only), then click download.
    8. Under the Select Format heading, click .xml button, then click download (this step applies to both gas and electric meters for customers with both types of meters).
    9. Repeat steps 1-8 for each meter that services the property, gas and electric.

      

      

    Turning SDGE Two Step Verification Off or On

    Turn 2 Step Verification off or on by clicking on Account in menu bar.

    Then select My Profile from the drop down menu.

    Scroll to the Enable 2-Step Verification section and click on the blue button on the right side of the screen to turn off the 2 Step Verification.

    Click on Confirm in the pop up menu.

    You have turned off the 2 Step Verification. Please note: 2 Step Verification must be completed prior to authorizing Utility API data collection.

    To Turn 2 Step Verification back on, simply return to your Account, select My Profile, scroll down to Enable 2-Step Verification and click on the grey button on the right side of the screen, click on Confirm.  

    Authorization of Utility API Data Request via Link


    Please click on the Utility API Authorization link provided by Makello in the email you received.

    You should be brought to a screen similar to the picture below. Please provide the requested information and click Authorize Access and Data Sharing.

    You should receive an authorization receipt similar to the picture below after authorization has been completed.

    If your SDGE account has  two-step verification, you should then receive a two-step verification code from SDGE sent via text message.  Please enter the code in the space provided.  An example of  the screen  where you enter the two-step verification code provided in the image below.

    Alternatively, you may manually deactivate and reactivate the multi-step verification for your SDGE by following the steps previously outlined.

    Please note: 2 Step Verification must be completed prior to authorizing Utility API data collection.

    Utility API Data Collection Refresh Historical Data

    When Utility API Refreshes Data via a new collection, you may receive a message informing you of the activity on your account.

    You may find out more about Utility API https://utilityapi.com/

    SDGE Utility Bill Download Instructions

    Next document needed is a .pdf copy of your bills

    A. Click on Billing drop down menu at the top right of your dashboard.

    B. Click on Your Bill from the Billing drop down menu.

    C. Click on the link for Billing & Payment History from the menu on the right side  of the menu.

    D. Click on the drop down menu arrow on the right side of the screen to display your bill.

    E. Click on the View Your Bill PDF link.

    F. Click on the folder icon on your computer’s menu bar to download the file. Save the .pdf file to the folder of your choice.

    G. Return to the Billing & Payment History Screen and repeat the download process detailed in steps D-F for as many of the most recent months of Bills available, up to twelve (12) months of Bills.

        Green Energy EPC by Makello CA Lic # 1110498

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    Makello Research Assistant in UCSD ESYS Capstone

    AuroraSolar solar design model energy analysis irridiance

    I was going into my last quarter of undergrad at UCSD when I started interning at Makello. The internship was part of my Senior Project, and I enjoyed working with a diversely skilled team.  I worked with people with experience in many fields including software/electrical engineering, solar installation, non-profit organizations, management experience, and GIS systems all united by a common goal: clean energy.

    I recently completed my B.S. in Environmental Systems and Earth Sciences with a minor in Marine Sciences. I am pursuing a career to combat climate change to preserve our planet as we know it, but there is also a part of me that feels a societal obligation to help elevate the standard of living (if they want it) for people who do not have equal access to opportunities such as education, community resources, healthy foods, etc. I believe we live in a society to take care of each other, and generally, disadvantaged communities could use additional resources, so I was excited to work with a company that works closely with non-profit organizations, especially non-profits in disadvantaged communities, such as Groundwork San Diego. I am thrilled to be in a position, right out of college, where I can help combat both social and environmental justice.

    Makello Team City Heights 5k run
    The Makello Team (left to right) Agustin, Ola, Linda, Charlie

    During my internship, we attended many events as both attendees and presenters, sometimes with Groundwork San Diego or our solar installation team. Examples of events were community activities, such as organized runs or home and garden shows, where we would provide information about electric vehicles and solar. We also attended car shows and electric vehicle focused events to stay current with new electric vehicle technology and to help explain their benefits to the public.

    Click here to see how I discovered Makello.  

    Get a FREE Energy Analysis!

    Book a FREE 15 minute appointment to: 1) Find out how Makello can help you. 2) Discuss your energy needs. 3) Get a FREE Energy Savings Estimate.

    Part of my initial training was how to use solar design and cash flow analysis software, the site survey measurements and the customer’s goals to determine the Optimal System Size. I grew up doing home remodels and renovations during summers, so I enjoyed visiting different homes and seeing different styles of architecture and landscaping throughout San Diego. It was cool to see some existing solar arrays that customers had already installed too. It was also nice to be able to put a face to the customers whose proposals we were working on. 

    • AuroraSolar solar design model energy analysis irridiance
    • AuroraSolar solar design model energy analysis irridiance
    To estimate the production of a designed solar energy system, we used an online program, Aurora Solar. The program allows users to create 3D models of the house and surrounding area . Obstructions like trees or taller buildings could contribute to shading and loss of production. After the site is created, it is then possible to determine the optimal location for the modules, and the system can be designed with different module and inverter combinations and arrays. Then the model can be simulated to estimate the solar production for the first year.

    Working on customer proposals and site surveys was my favorite part of the internship because it was a combination of computer design and modeling, hands on physical labor, and critical and analytical thinking. I still enjoy the same work, but now my Research Assistant position is 100% remote because we follow CDC guidelines to keep ourselves and our community safe. We used Makello’s software model to create the custom trade-off study proposals for each customer and automatically generate the correct price, ethically, without sales gimmicks.

    Makello’s honesty and knowledge of energy efficiency, utility rates, solar power, electric vehicles, and battery storage, as well as assessing the needs of individual customers and their families, is what drives the high win rate with customer proposals.  On more than one occasion, customers wanted to purchase more solar than they needed, or wanted a battery because they believed it would increase cost savings. Using Makello’s model, our team showed that, in fact, a smaller solar system is needed if replacing inefficient appliances, or changing the times the appliances are in use.

    • solar installation San Diego
    • rooftop solar San Diego
    It was cool to meet customers and see awesome, unique solar arrays while on site surveys. We took measurements of the site area and roof slopes and evaluated the integrity of the roof, electric panel, and other necessary requirements to install solar. We also observed appliances and lighting and would make suggestions for appliance or behavioral changes to reduce energy consumption and costs.

    I was excited to work on a diversely skilled team to create community pages for our website. We ended up creating a valuable tool with important information and graphics for San Diego communities. The pages had GIS Maps that displayed information on a variety of issues such as air quality, electric vehicle charging station locations, rebate eligibility, etc. We also included a list of different rebates and incentives for solar, electric vehicles and battery storage as well as information as to why they are beneficial to the environment and how they can save money. Click here to view the community pages. 

    Request a Quote

    Are you ready to save money on solar power, EV charging or Energy Storage? Get an instant quote from Makello!

    Posted on

    Makello Aids NPOs & NGOs in Environmental Justice

    EV Association of SD at Groundwork San Diego’s EarthLab

    I met Charlie, the CEO and founder of Makello, during the summer while I was interning at Groundwork San Diego’s EarthLab in partnership with UC San Diego’s Center on Global Justice. While at the EarthLab, I was a college mentor for Groundwork’s High School Green Team. We were learning about electric vehicles, and Charlie was one of the guests who volunteered his time to come speak to us about the benefits, technology, and affordability of Plug-In Vehicles.

    Get Makello’s Ethical Energy Savings Report

    Book an appointment to receive Makello’s Ethical Energy Savings Report, which is the result of a detailed trade-off study of discount utility rates, grants, rebates, tax credits, and equipment options, to determine the fastest payback and highest return on investment to meet your home, business and vehicle energy needs.

    The fee for the Ethical Energy Savings Report is refundable (less the 3rd-Party $15 utility data access charge) or credited towards our installation services, after you attend the presentation meeting and complete a 5 minute survey after permission to operate.

    Includes up to 5 hours research by the Makello team, and 1 hour Q&A, by Makello’s Ethical Energy Efficiency Expert.

    The first time I met him was with the Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego. Charlie and other members of the EV Association came to the EarthLab and spoke to us about electric vehicles, their experiences with them, why they loved them, and allowed us to ride along in their vehicles!

    EV Association of SD at Groundwork San Diego’s EarthLab
    Charlie and other members of the Electric Vehicle Association of San Diego met with Groundwork San Diego’s High School Green Team.

    Charlie volunteered his time on four occasions during the four week program. The second time I met him, he and Songxuan came to the EarthLab to do a solar and electric vehicle demonstration. We used solar ovens, metal sheets that reflect sunlight into a concentrated location, to heat up solar chili and cornbread. It was so good! He also gave us a quick presentation on “What to Know About Plug-In Vehicles”. The presentation was really cool because he demonstrated how the car, a MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid, could be used as a battery bank, using it to power the laptops and monitor, and explained how solar could charge up the car. We also got to look at the battery packs for his converted Plug-In Prius.

    You don’t need a ton of solar to save money.

    During his presentations to us, he acknowledged that he was a small business owner, but never tried to sell us on his products. Instead he explained how the technology worked, why the technology is more environmentally and community friendly, and how the technology could, in fact, be made affordable to families in disadvantaged communities. Solar and electric vehicle adoption contributes to safer, cleaner communities. Less greenhouse gases and smog are emitted from cars and power plants, leading to better air quality in communities.

    Northgate Market Public EV Charging Stations grand opening
    Makello, Groundwork San Diego, and EVgo grand opening at Northgate Market at 1410 S 43rd St, San Diego, CA 92113; 4 CCS/SAE 50kW and 5 CHAdeMO 50kW EV Chargers.

    Get a FREE Energy Analysis!

    Book a FREE 15 minute appointment to: 1) Find out how Makello can help you. 2) Discuss your energy needs. 3) Get a FREE Energy Savings Estimate.

    Charlie was also at the grand opening of the EVgo public charging stations at Northgate Market in the Chollas Creek Community that Groundwork helped sponsor and EarthLab’s Green Team attended.

    Groundwork San Diego EarthLab presentation UCSD internship
    The final presentation for my Groundwork San Diego/EarthLab internship that Charlie attended. Also in attendance were UCSD professors, Groundwork San Diego staff, EVgo staff, and Chollas Creek Community members.

    Charlie also attended the final presentation for my summer internship at Groundwork San Diego. I appreciated how Charlie volunteered so much of his time to EarthLab and the Green Team, and I could see myself working for someone whose business motivation does not come from maximizing profits, but is rooted in education, conservation, and community well being. I exchanged contact information and soon had an internship with Makello! More information about my Makello internship is available here.

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