Solar Quotes for San Diego Homeowners

Yes, but less than most people expect. Coastal neighborhoods like Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, and La Jolla experience morning marine layer — especially in May and June, which locals call June Gloom. However, San Diego still averages over 266 sunny days per year, and solar systems are sized to account for local cloud patterns. Some inland areas of San Diego County see even more direct sun. In all cases, SDG&E’s high rates mean every kilowatt-hour your system produces is worth significantly more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

Yes. SDG&E consistently ranks among the most expensive utilities in the entire United States. The national average residential rate is roughly 16 cents per kilowatt-hour. San Diego homeowners on standard SDG&E rates pay 42 cents or more — more than twice the national average. Heavy users push into the 47–51 cent range. Those rates have been increasing almost every year, which is exactly why solar makes such a strong financial case here.

New SDG&E solar customers are placed on NEM 3.0, also called the Net Billing Tariff. Under NEM 3.0, excess solar sent to the grid is credited at avoided-cost rates rather than full retail. This means system sizing matters — the goal is to cover your own consumption rather than export excess. Battery storage is highly valuable under NEM 3.0, allowing you to store daytime solar production for evening use when SDG&E rates are highest.

San Diego homeowners often qualify for the 30% federal Investment Tax Credit, which is built into solar financing and significantly reduces the effective cost. California’s property tax exemption means adding solar won’t raise your home’s assessed value. SDG&E’s net billing program credits excess solar sent to the grid. San Diego has a well-established permitting process for residential solar — most installations move through city approval without issues.

From signed agreement to Permission to Operate, most San Diego solar installations take 60 to 90 days. The installation itself takes one to two days. The remaining time involves city permit approval, SDG&E interconnection processing, and final inspection. San Diego’s permitting office and SDG&E have both streamlined residential solar approvals — most projects move through on the shorter end of that range.

You own your home and are named on your SDG&E bill. Solar financing is tied to the property, so renters aren’t eligible, and the person on the utility account needs to be part of the process. If your home is held in a trust, you can typically still go solar.

Your credit. Solar financing runs through a lender, so your credit score is part of the picture — though we are not running your credit now and never will without your explicit permission. That only happens if you decide to move forward with financing after reviewing your Solar Savings Report.

If your score is 670 or above, you’re in solid shape. If you’re in the 600–669 range, go ahead and submit the request form — we’ll be straight with you about what’s realistic, and some lenders can work with scores in that range. Getting a quote also gives you a concrete savings number to work toward if improving your score is something you’re considering. If your score is below 600, solar financing likely isn’t available to you right now — but that can change, and we’re happy to give you a number to aim for when you’re ready.

Your roof and electrical panel. Your home needs a roof with enough life remaining and an electrical panel that can support a solar system. If you’re unsure about either, you can mention it in the notes when you submit.

Your Solar Savings Report is built from your address, usage history, and rate data — it doesn’t include a physical inspection of your roof or panel. That happens at the site survey, which is free when we get to that point. If you already know your roof or panel may need attention, you can mention it in the notes field when you submit the request form and we’ll factor it into the conversation early. If work is needed, the cost can typically be rolled into the project so there’s no separate out-of-pocket expense. Solar financing is way better than home improvement loans, and homeowners are often surprised that they can get a new roof and solar with zero down and a net electricity cost that is lower than what they currently pay. We’re not saying that will happen, but it might.