Real answers, not marketing copy.
My utility feels like the safe, familiar choice. Isn't solar riskier than just staying put?
It's worth noting that you didn't choose your utility — it was assigned when you moved in. It's just a billing arrangement you've gotten used to, and that arrangement might be more expensive and less predictable than it feels. In California, residential electricity rates have roughly doubled in the last five to six years. The version of SCE billing you today is not the one that was billing you ten years ago. There's no reason to think 2030 rates will look like 2026 rates.
Solar doesn't replace your utility relationship. You stay connected to the grid. What it does is lock in a fixed, lower rate for the electricity your panels produce, so you're buying much less power from your utility at their rates.
The real questions are: Is my roof adequate? Do I qualify financially? Will the savings actually materialize? Those are legitimate concerns, and exactly what we want to help you answer. You get the real numbers first. If they don't work for you, nothing happens.
Staying with your utility isn't the "safe" choice — it's the choice to absorb 100% of whatever rate increases come next. Solar is what locks in certainty.
Can I still get the 30% federal tax credit?
The 30% federal tax credit is no longer available directly to homeowners who purchase their system outright. However, it was preserved for PPAs (Power Purchase Agreements) and similar financing arrangements under the "Big Beautiful Bill." In practice, the financier claims the credit and passes most of that savings on to you through lower rates. We also offer a financing structure guaranteed to roll into full homeowner ownership after five years. Either way, you still benefit. We'll walk you through exactly how it applies to your situation.
Is solar really affordable? I assumed it was too expensive.
Absolutely — solar is a real investment, but so is every electricity bill you're paying right now. The difference is that your utility bill builds no equity and never ends. In most cases we can get you into solar with zero upfront cost, and a monthly payment that is less than what you're currently paying your utility company. You start saving on day one. We just want you to look at the numbers — and then you can decide if it's worth a conversation. If this sounds different than what you've heard from other solar salespeople, it's probably because it is.
What is a PPA, and how is it different from a loan?
A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) treats solar like your new utility company — you're not buying equipment or taking out a loan. There's no lien on your home. You simply pay for the power the panels produce, at a rate lower than what your utility charges. If you qualify, a PPA saves you money immediately and protects you from your utility's future rate increases. There's also a hybrid option that guarantees you'll own the system outright after five years. Ultimately, the choice is yours — we'll build out quotes for any option you want to consider.
What financing options are available?
We have access to every major financing option on the market — PPAs, lease-to-own arrangements, solar loans, and more. Our first quote will lead with what we think is your best option based on your situation and goals. If you'd like to see how other options compare, just ask. Our goal is to get the best hardware into your home in the most economical way possible — but you drive this process. We're simply your consultants.
What warranties come with my system?
In a PPA or financed arrangement, your warranty comes from the financier or manufacturer — not the installer. This is a significant advantage: it means your coverage isn't tied to whether any particular installation company stays in business. Everything is fully covered, including your battery, for 25 years. This is the same protection you'd receive from a large national company like LGCY Power — because it comes from the same source. If you go the ownership route, panels and inverters carry a 25-year warranty; battery warranty is 15 years.
A neighbor or friend went solar and ended up unhappy. Why would this be different?
Most bad solar experiences trace back to a few of the same things — and we've built our process around each of them.
The first is overselling. Some companies quote numbers that look great on paper but don't hold up once the system is running. We use conservative, honest estimates. We also encourage you to comparison shop — if our numbers are better, we'd rather you find out for yourself than take our word for it.
The second is abandonment. A commission-driven rep has no financial incentive to pick up the phone after the deal closes. Your rep at CompareSolarPrices.net stays your point of contact after installation. If something comes up — a question about your bill, a monitoring issue, anything — you have someone who knows your system and is motivated to help.
The third is warranty confusion. Most homeowners don't realize their coverage comes from the financier or manufacturer, not the installation company. That means your protection doesn't depend on any one installer staying in business. Everything is covered for 25 years.
We can't promise a perfect experience — no one can. But our entire business grows through referrals, which means your satisfaction after installation matters to us as much as anything that happens before it.
I'm planning to move in a few years. Does solar still make sense?
It often makes more sense than people expect. Most people move within 8 years — and a PPA is fully transferable to the next owner. Someone will live in your home and they will need electricity. By locking in a low rate now, you're adding a real value proposition for a future buyer. A PPA doesn't affect your property taxes because you're not purchasing equipment or taking out a loan — you're simply paying for power, the same as a utility bill.
I've heard you end up with two bills — solar and the utility. Is that true?
Yes, and this is worth understanding clearly. With solar, you remain connected to the grid and will still receive a bill from your utility company. However, when you add your two bills together, the total will be less than what you paid before solar. Our goal is to cover most or all of your usage with solar at a significantly lower rate, so that you're buying little to no electricity from your utility at their high rates. Sometimes drawing a small amount from the grid at off-peak rates even makes financial sense. The math works in your favor — we'll show you exactly how.
Will my solar system also give me backup power when the grid goes down?
Yes — battery backup is available as part of a PPA, and in most cases your average monthly cost is still less than what you're currently paying for electricity. Backup power is not required, but it's a popular option. There's a good chance that even with battery backup included, the total monthly cost comes out significantly lower than your current utility bill.
What if my roof isn't in great shape?
Your roof does need to qualify, but we inspect it for free. If it needs work, there are situations where we can roll the cost of a re-roof into a PPA. Some homeowners end up with a new roof, battery backup, and lower monthly electricity costs — all with no upfront payment. Even if something unexpected came up with your roof after installation, you would not pay anything for any related repairs or damage.
Do I need to upgrade my electrical panel for solar?
Most homes don't require a panel upgrade, but it does come up — particularly in older homes. If your panel needs an upgrade to support the system, we can roll that cost into the project, so there's still no money out of pocket. Because it requires an on-site assessment, it's not something we can price in advance — so it won't appear in the initial quote we email you. If an upgrade is needed, we'll walk you through the cost and options before anything moves forward.
I already have solar — can I add more panels or a battery?
Maybe — it depends on your current net metering agreement, your existing production and usage numbers, your roof, and your goals.
If you're already on NEM 3.0: It primarily comes down to how much extra energy you're using and when you're using it.
If you're grandfathered on NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0: Your export rate is significantly better than NEM 3.0, so protecting that status matters. There are two ways to add capacity without losing it:
- Small addition: Under CPUC Decision D.22-12-056, you can add up to 1 kW or 10% of your original system size — whichever is greater — without triggering a new interconnection.
- Non-export system: Under Rule 21, you can add panels configured to not send power back to the grid. Because the additional capacity stays on-site, your original NEM agreement is unaffected — no size cap.
To put together a Solar Savings Report for your situation, use the comments field at the bottom of the submission form and include as much information as possible about your current situation and goals.
How long is the contract for a PPA?
A PPA contract is typically 25 years. At the end of the term, you'll have three options — all of them potentially great. Our favorite is the ability to purchase all the equipment at a nominal fee and own it outright. Another option is to renew, and a third is to have the panels removed and the roof restored to its original condition. We'll explain all three in detail before you sign anything.
What happens if a panel, inverter, or battery breaks?
The system is fully covered for 25 years in most cases. You don't have to worry about maintenance or repairs — if something breaks, it gets fixed. We'll explain the full coverage details before you sign anything, so there are no surprises.
My electricity bill is actually pretty low. Does solar still make sense for me?
It might surprise you. Have you noticed your rates going up? Electricity costs have roughly doubled in the last five to six years in much of California. Even if your bill is manageable today, a PPA lets you lock in a low, predictable rate and stop being at the mercy of future utility increases. It's worth at least seeing the numbers.
I've been waiting for the technology to improve before going solar.
That may have been exactly the right call — and your wait may be over. Panel efficiency is higher than it's ever been, and research suggests there's limited room left for major improvements at the consumer level. Meanwhile, the federally funded PPA program gives you a fixed electricity rate with a full 25-year warranty on everything. If you were waiting for solar to get really good, it's worth taking a look at what's available now — if you qualify.
What happens after installation?
Installation is almost always completed in a single day. But installation day is not the finish line — it's the start of the approval process. After your system is installed, it goes through a city or county inspection, and then your utility company must grant Permission to Operate (PTO). PTO is the official green light that allows you to turn your system on and start generating power. The timeline from installation to PTO is typically a few weeks, depending on your city and utility. We manage the entire process and keep you updated at every step. You don't need to chase anyone down.
What if I have questions or problems down the road?
Your sales rep from CompareSolarPrices.net is your single point of contact. You'll also have direct numbers for your financier and battery manufacturer — but in most cases, we can handle what comes up ourselves, and we're glad to do it. Our entire business is built on referrals, which means your satisfaction isn't just good manners — it's our business model.
I'm too busy to deal with this right now.
That's completely understandable — and the good news is we handle almost everything. You'll invest a small amount of time upfront to get qualified and make sure you understand the details. After that, we take care of everything: installation, city or county permitting, and all paperwork with your utility company. You'll be kept in the loop, but we do the work. Our goal is to get you to PTO (Permission to Operate) with as little burden on you as possible.
How accurate are the price ranges you show?
The ranges on this site reflect real market pricing in California as of 2026. Your specific price depends on your roof, system size, equipment selection, and whether you add battery storage. A personalized quote will give you an exact number — the ranges here are meant to help you understand what's reasonable before you start talking to anyone.
What's net metering and how does it affect my savings?
Net metering (NEM) is the policy that determines how your utility credits you for excess solar energy you send back to the grid. California's current NEM 3.0 rules changed in 2023 and affect the pace of payback. We factor the current NEM structure into every savings projection — unlike some companies that still quote under old NEM 2.0 assumptions.
How long does installation take?
We are motivated to get your system up and running quickly. Installation itself typically takes a day, but the full process also involves local permitting and electric company approval. We take care of every step for you. In most cases, we will get you all the way to PTO (Permission to Operate) in under three months.
I want to do more research first.
You absolutely should — and we encourage it. Here are a few places to start:
solenenergyco.com (our installation partner), their
Yelp reviews, and
coachtraub.com for background on the person behind this site. Do your own research too — we're confident it will bring you back.
