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Often yes — but the math changed. Under NEM 3.0 (also called NBT, Net Billing Tariff), export rates dropped roughly 75% from NEM 2.0. Solar-only systems no longer pay back well for PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers. The new economic reality is solar + battery storage paired with a Time-of-Use rate. Payback for a well-sized solar + battery system in California today typically runs 8-12 years for households with $200+/month electric bills. Our 60-second quote shows you specifically what makes sense for your bill, your utility, and your roof.

A typical 6 kW residential system runs $18,000-25,000 installed before any incentives, depending on equipment tier (Tier 1 vs premium), roof complexity, and your installer. Add $14,000-16,000 for a Tesla Powerwall 3 or similar battery. Federal tax incentive treatment for residential solar changed at the end of 2025 — verify what currently applies to your situation. Most California shoppers should plan as if the federal credit is gone for residential purchases. We'll send you a real per-watt figure based on your specific home, not industry averages.

The 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) treatment for residential solar changed at the end of 2025. Most California shoppers in 2026 should plan as if it no longer applies for purchases. There are still pathways via leases and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that may capture the commercial credit (Section 48E) and pass some savings through — but these come with their own trade-offs (you don't own the system; resale impact). Talk to a tax professional before assuming any specific incentive. We can refer you to a CA solar tax advisor as part of the quote process.

For PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E customers (the three big investor-owned utilities under NEM 3.0): almost certainly yes. Without a battery, you sell your daytime excess solar back at the low NEM 3.0 export rate (often 5-10 cents/kWh) and buy it back in the evening at the full retail rate (often 35-55 cents/kWh on TOU). The arbitrage destroys solar-only payback. For LADWP, SMUD, and other municipal utility customers: most still operate on net-metering equivalent to the old NEM 2.0, so solar-only can still pencil out. We'll tell you what your specific utility setup needs.

Almost always buy if you can. Owned systems (cash or paid-off loan) typically add $15,000-25,000 to resale value. Leases and PPAs often hurt resale because buyers don't want to assume your contract. Leases also cap your savings — the lessor keeps most of the upside. The case for leasing: if you don't have the cash, can't qualify for a sub-7% loan, and aren't planning to sell within 5-10 years. In 2026, leases also remain one of the few paths to capture remaining federal incentive value via Section 48E. We'll walk you through your specific math.

Federal Section 25D residential treatment changed at end of 2025 — assume the 30% credit is no longer available for residential purchases unless your tax advisor tells you otherwise. California state-level incentives remain (DAC-SASH for low-income households, SGIP for battery storage, property tax exemption on solar additions, local utility rebates). Specific dollar amounts vary by household and program. Your quote will surface what you specifically qualify for.

Plan for 75-105 days end-to-end from signed contract to system turn-on, even though the actual rooftop install is just 1-2 days. The slow part is permitting + utility interconnection — SCE and PG&E currently miss their interconnection timelines 55-73% of the time according to the CA Solar & Storage Association. We coordinate everything for you. You see your timeline upfront, with explicit milestones and dates.

Solar-only systems shut OFF during outages (anti-islanding requirement to protect utility workers). Your panels are producing but you can't use the power. Battery-backed systems keep your essential circuits running — typically refrigerator, lights, internet, and a few outlets for 8-24 hours per Powerwall. For California homeowners in PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) territory — much of PG&E, SCE, and SDG&E coverage — this is often the main reason to add storage. Your quote will tell you which circuits you can keep running and for how long.

Solar itself isn't a scam, but the industry has a real misrepresentation problem — door-to-door sales reps quoting 12 kW systems when you only need 8, leases pitched as 'free solar', undisclosed financing fees baked into per-watt pricing. Three things to verify on any quote: (1) per-watt price installed (target $3-4/W in California 2026), (2) ownership terms (cash, loan, lease, PPA — and resale implications of each), (3) what's NOT included (permitting? upgrades to your electrical panel? sales tax? interconnection?). We send you one quote from one installer with all four numbers spelled out. No swarm. No surprises.