PGE Wants to Give You a Free Generator With New Rebate Program

Generators, file photoPhoto byGado Images

PG&E is offering a $300 rebate to customers who purchase a qualifying generator or battery, aimed at helping residents prepare for power outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), according to an email reviewed by the Bay Area Telegraph.

Screenshot of email from PGEPhoto byBay Area Telegraph

Customers participating in PG&E’s CARE or FERA programs may be eligible for an additional $200 rebate.

To qualify for the rebate, customers must have an active residential or business PG&E account and be located in a Tier 2 or Tier 3 High Fire-Threat District (HFTD) or be serviced by an Enhanced Power Safety Settings (EPSS) circuit.

Only one rebate per household is allowed, and applications must be submitted within 12 months of purchase or by December 31, 2024, whichever comes first.

Eligible products include portable generators listed on PG&E’s qualified product list and California Air Resources Board (CARB) compliant, as well as certain portable batteries that do not fall under specific exclusions.

PG&E emphasizes that they are not responsible for providing backup power during outages but aim to support customers in finding energy solutions.

For more information and resources, including a list of qualified products and program terms and conditions, customers can visit PG&E's official website.

Here's the catch: it's very hard to find a generator that meets PGE's air quality and emissions guidelines, yet costs under $300. The closest thing I could find is a PowerSmart 2500-watt generator selling for around $359 on Amazon.

Assuming PGE honored the rebate, that would mean getting a gas generator for under $100. Not a bad deal! One could also wait until the holiday season, and see if any generators are discounted below the $300 maximum rebate offered by PGE.

If you think you might qualify, take a look at the PGE website and think about submitting an application.