Question 1

How does solar work in simple terms?

Accepted Answer

Solar panels contain photovoltaic cells that turn sunlight into direct current electricity. An inverter then converts that into the alternating current your home uses, which flows into your electrical panel and powers your appliances. Anything you do not use immediately either flows to the grid or charges a home battery.

Question 2

Does solar work on cloudy days?

Accepted Answer

Yes — panels still produce electricity on cloudy days, just less of it. Production might drop to roughly 10–25% of a sunny day depending on cloud thickness. Solar systems are sized based on annual averages, so cloudy days are already factored in.

Question 3

How long do solar panels last?

Accepted Answer

Most quality panels carry a 25-year performance warranty and continue producing at roughly 80–85% of original capacity after that. Real-world panels routinely keep generating useful power for 30+ years. Inverters and batteries usually have shorter lifespans and may be replaced once during the panels’ life.

Question 4

Will solar completely eliminate my electric bill?

Accepted Answer

Usually not entirely. Solar can wipe out the generation portion of your bill, but fixed monthly utility charges generally remain. With a properly sized system — and often a battery under NEM 3.0 — many California homeowners do see dramatic reductions, sometimes to a near-minimum bill.

Question 5

What is NEM 3.0 and how does it affect my savings?

Accepted Answer

NEM 3.0 is California’s current solar billing structure, in effect since April 2023. It pays you only about 5–8 cents per kWh for excess solar exported to the grid, compared with the 30+ cents you pay to buy electricity. That makes batteries and right-sized systems much more important than under the old NEM 2.0 rules.

Question 6

Is the federal solar tax credit still available in 2026?

Accepted Answer

The 30% homeowner-claimed Investment Tax Credit expired at the end of 2025 for customer-owned systems. The 48E credit can still benefit residential leases and PPAs in 2026, where the solar company owns the system. Talk to a tax professional about your specific situation.

Question 7

What happened to the 30% federal tax credit?

Accepted Answer

It expired at the end of 2025 for systems purchased outright with cash or a solar loan. Lease and PPA structures may still capture federal credits indirectly through the 48E credit, which is reflected in pricing rather than on your tax return.

Question 8

Do I need a battery with solar in California?

Accepted Answer

For most California homeowners installing solar today under NEM 3.0, yes — a battery makes the economics work much better. There are exceptions, especially for homeowners with low bills or those who already have NEM 2.0. A specialist can run the numbers for your specific situation.

Question 9

What is a solar lease?

Accepted Answer

A solar lease is an arrangement where a third-party company owns the panels installed on your roof. You pay them a fixed monthly amount to use the electricity those panels produce. You don’t own the system, but you also don’t pay the upfront cost.

Question 10

What is a PPA or Power Purchase Agreement?

Accepted Answer

A PPA is similar to a lease, but instead of paying a fixed monthly fee, you pay a per-kWh rate for the actual electricity the panels produce — usually at a rate below your utility’s. The solar company still owns the system.

Question 11

What is the difference between buying and leasing solar?

Accepted Answer

When you buy (cash or loan), you own the system and capture the full long-term savings. When you lease or sign a PPA, the solar company owns the system and you pay for use. Buying typically delivers higher lifetime value; leasing/PPAs lower the upfront barrier and can shift maintenance responsibility.

Question 12

Does solar increase my home value?

Accepted Answer

Owned solar systems generally add value to a home, particularly in markets with high electricity rates. Leased systems are more complicated because the lease has to be transferred or bought out at sale. Appraisal practices vary, so the dollar amount of added value isn’t a guarantee.

Question 13

What happens during a power outage with solar?

Accepted Answer

A standard grid-tied solar system shuts off during an outage to protect utility workers — even if the sun is shining. To keep power during an outage you need a battery configured for backup. Without storage, solar alone does not keep your lights on when the grid goes down.

Question 14

How long does solar installation take?

Accepted Answer

Physical installation usually takes 1–3 days. The full timeline from contract to permission to operate (PTO) — including permits, inspections, and utility approval — typically runs 6–12 weeks in California, and can be longer depending on local jurisdictions and PG&E timelines.

Question 15

What maintenance does solar require?

Accepted Answer

Very little. Panels are mostly self-cleaning thanks to rain, though occasional rinsing in dusty areas helps. Inverters and batteries should be monitored, and most systems include monitoring software that alerts you to issues. Most homeowners do nothing routine year to year.

Question 16

Is my roof suitable for solar?

Accepted Answer

Most asphalt shingle, tile, and metal roofs in good condition are suitable for solar. The key factors are roof age, structural condition, sun exposure, and shading. A real on-site assessment is the only way to know for sure.

Question 17

What direction should my roof face?

Accepted Answer

South-facing roofs produce the most energy in California. East- and west-facing roofs still work well — typically with 15–20% less production. North-facing slopes are usually not strong solar candidates.

Question 18

How much shade is too much for solar?

Accepted Answer

There’s no single threshold — it depends on what time of day the shade hits and how much of the array is affected. Heavy shade during midday hours is a serious problem. Newer microinverter and optimizer systems handle partial shade better than older string inverters, but they don’t fix it entirely.

Question 19

What credit score do I need for solar financing?

Accepted Answer

Solar loan lenders typically look for at least mid-600s, with the best rates reserved for scores in the 700s. Lease and PPA providers may have more flexible thresholds. Cash purchases require no credit check at all.

Question 20

Can I get solar if I have an HOA in California?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The California Solar Rights Act broadly protects homeowners’ ability to install solar despite HOA opposition. HOAs can impose reasonable aesthetic requirements but generally cannot block a system outright or impose costly restrictions that significantly reduce performance.

Question 21

Are there California solar incentives in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but fewer than in past years. The California property tax exclusion, the DAC-SASH program for low-income homeowners, and limited SGIP/RSSE battery funding are the main programs in 2026. Some local utility and city-level incentives also exist.

Question 22

What is the DAC-SASH program?

Accepted Answer

DAC-SASH provides $3.00 per watt for qualifying low-income homeowners installing 1–5 kW solar systems through PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E. Income limits run roughly $52,875 (1–2 person households) to $94,125 (larger families) through May 2026. It’s one of the strongest remaining incentives for those who qualify.

Question 23

How do I read my solar production data?

Accepted Answer

Most modern systems include an app or web dashboard from the inverter manufacturer (Enphase, Tesla, SolarEdge, etc.). It typically shows daily, monthly, and lifetime production, plus how much you’re consuming and exporting if you have whole-home monitoring installed.

Question 24

What happens if I sell my home with solar?

Accepted Answer

Owned systems generally transfer with the home and can add to value. Leased systems require either a buyout or a transfer of the lease to the buyer, which adds friction to the sale. PPAs work similarly to leases. Document everything and disclose the system clearly to buyers.

Question 25

What happens if my solar company goes out of business?

Accepted Answer

Your panels keep producing electricity regardless. Manufacturer warranties on the panels and inverters are generally honored directly by the equipment manufacturer, not the installer. Workmanship warranties from the original installer can be harder to use, which is one reason choosing an established company matters.

Question 26

How do I find a reputable solar installer?

Accepted Answer

Look for a CSLB-licensed C-46 or C-10 contractor with a strong local track record, real reviews, and clear written contracts. Get multiple quotes. Avoid high-pressure door-knockers, vague pricing, and anyone who refuses to give you written specs and warranties.

Question 27

What questions should I ask a solar installer?

Accepted Answer

Ask about system size and expected production, exact equipment brands and warranties, total out-the-door cost, financing terms, NEM 3.0 design strategy, battery sizing rationale, timeline, who handles permits and PTO, and what happens if production falls short. A good installer welcomes detailed questions.

Question 28

What is net metering?

Accepted Answer

Net metering is the rule that determines how your utility credits the excess electricity your solar system sends to the grid. Under California’s current Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0), exports earn far less than retail, which is why self-consumption — usually with a battery — is now the smart strategy.

Question 29

What is a true-up bill?

Accepted Answer

A true-up bill is the annual reconciliation of your solar account with PG&E (or your utility). Throughout the year, your monthly statements track credits and charges. Once a year, the utility settles up the net total — that final bill is the true-up.

Question 30

Will solar work for my home in Fresno?

Accepted Answer

Fresno is one of the strongest solar markets in California — long sunny seasons, very high PG&E rates, and high summer consumption from air conditioning. Whether it works for your specific home still depends on your roof, shading, bill, and ownership situation.

Question 31

How does solar affect my PG&E bill specifically?

Accepted Answer

Solar offsets the generation portion of your bill. Fixed delivery charges and program fees usually remain. Under NEM 3.0, sizing your system to match your usage and adding a battery to cover the 4 PM–9 PM peak hours typically delivers the strongest bill reduction for PG&E customers.

Question 32

What size solar system do I need?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your annual electricity usage, your roof’s available space and orientation, shading, and your goals. Under NEM 3.0, sizing the system to your actual usage — rather than oversizing for export credits — is the smarter strategy. A specialist should design based on your last 12 months of usage.

Question 33

Can I add solar to my home if I have a flat roof?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Flat roofs are common candidates for solar. Panels are mounted on tilted racking to angle them toward the sun. Flat roof installations sometimes have higher labor costs and the racking adds wind-load and waterproofing considerations, but they work well.

Question 34

What happens to solar panels after 25 years?

Accepted Answer

They typically keep working, just at slightly reduced output — usually 80–85% of original capacity. Many panels continue producing useful power well beyond 30 years. Recycling programs for end-of-life panels are growing as the industry matures.

Question 35

Is solar worth it in 2026 without the federal tax credit?

Accepted Answer

For many California homeowners — especially those on PG&E with high bills — yes, but the answer is more situation-dependent than it used to be. With the 30% federal homeowner credit gone, your specific bill, roof, financing, and battery design matter more than ever. Anyone giving you a confident yes or no without looking at your numbers is guessing.

Solar Questions. Real Answers.