Yes — especially when paired with a battery. Under NEM 3.0, export credits are lower for California IOU customers (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E), so we design systems to maximize self-consumption rather than grid export. That means sizing your panels to what your home actually uses, and adding a battery to store midday solar for expensive evening TOU hours.

Higher-usage homes and homes adding storage still see strong returns. SMUD customers operate under a separate net metering program with different economics — we'll model both options for your specific utility. Get a free estimate tailored to your utility →

PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): A third party owns the panels. You pay only for the electricity the system produces — at a rate lower than your utility charges. $0 down, no ownership, no maintenance responsibility. Great for homeowners who want bill savings without the commitment of ownership.

Financing: You own the system. Loans through GoodLeap or EnFin with low interest rates — monthly payments are often less than your current utility bill. You build equity and lock in your energy cost long-term.

We'll show you both options side by side so you can compare total cost over time. Learn more about our $0-down PPA →

Every time PG&E, SCE, SMUD, or SDG&E raises rates, the value of every kWh your solar system produces goes up. Your solar rate stays fixed — your utility rate doesn't.

California utilities have approved significant rate increases through 2026 and beyond. Homeowners who locked in solar two years ago are already insulated from increases that non-solar customers are paying today. The longer you wait, the more you've already paid at the higher rate. See your projected savings →

SGIP (Self-Generation Incentive Program) is a California statewide program that rebates a portion of your battery cost. Rebate amounts vary by tier — priority tiers include homes in high fire-threat districts, medical baseline customers, low-income households, and homes with frequent PSPS outage history.

Standard incentives may also be available for homes that don't qualify for priority tiers. We screen your address, determine your tier, and handle the application on your behalf. See SMUD battery rebate details → or explore all battery options →

In some cases yes — a battery can charge from the grid during low-rate overnight hours and discharge during expensive TOU peak hours (typically 4–9pm on PG&E and SCE). This is called load shifting and it can meaningfully reduce your peak-hour imports.

That said, the economics are much stronger when paired with solar. A battery alone gives you backup and some bill optimization. Solar + battery gives you maximum self-consumption, TOU optimization, and protection from grid outages. See home battery options →

Not always — but if your roof has fewer than 8–10 years of life left, replacing it before solar is strongly recommended. Removing and reinstalling a solar system to replace a roof later costs $2,000–$5,000 and is entirely avoidable.

We can bundle a full roof replacement (Owens Corning® or GAF®) with your solar install through our partner Sequoia Roofing. One project, one timeline, one point of contact — and the roof is solar-ready from day one. Learn about solar + roofing bundles →

Most projects go from signed agreement to Permission to Operate (PTO) in about 30 days. Here's the typical breakdown: proposal review and signing takes 1–7 days, permit filing and approval takes 7–14 days, physical installation is usually completed in a single day, and utility interconnection and PTO takes another 5–10 days.

Some projects move faster depending on your utility and local AHJ (permit authority). We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific area when we build your proposal. Start your free estimate →

Owned solar systems typically increase home resale value. Studies have shown California homes with owned solar sell for a premium over comparable homes without it — and they tend to sell faster.

PPA systems are different — they transfer to the new buyer as a lease assumption, which some buyers prefer (instant savings, no upfront cost) and some don't. We'll walk you through how each financing structure affects resale before you decide. Get your free estimate and ask us anything →

We can show you your options, run your savings estimate, and build a full proposal — all without touching your credit score. A hard credit pull only happens if and when you decide to move forward with financing, and you'll always be told before that occurs.

This means there's genuinely zero risk to finding out what your home qualifies for. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds →

Warranty coverage depends on the equipment selected, but typical systems include a 25-year panel performance warranty, a 10–25 year inverter warranty depending on brand, and a workmanship warranty from our EPC installation partner Solar Savings Direct.

Battery warranties vary by manufacturer — Tesla Powerwall carries a 10-year unlimited-cycle warranty. We review all warranty terms in detail during your proposal walkthrough so you know exactly what's covered. Get your proposal started →