Is solar still worth it in San Diego under NEM 3.0?

It depends heavily on your usage pattern. NEM 3.0 pays roughly 5–8¢/kWh for exported power vs. 30–40¢/kWh you'd pay to buy it. Systems sized to maximize self-consumption (especially with battery storage) still pencil out. Systems sized to maximize export — the old model — often don't. Get a proposal modeling your actual SDG&E usage data, not generic averages.

Why are my solar panels not producing power?

Start with the inverter — check for fault codes on the display or in the monitoring app. Most total shutdowns are inverter issues, not panel failure. If the inverter shows no faults, check the AC and DC disconnects are closed (on). For partial production loss, check your monitoring for which strings or panels are underperforming — shading, soiling, or a failed microinverter are common causes.

Should I lease or buy solar panels in San Diego?

Buy (loan or cash) is almost always better long-term. When you own the system, you get the 30% federal tax credit, CA property tax exemption, and full bill reduction. A lease or PPA gives these to the installer instead. Leases also complicate home sales — the buyer must qualify to take over the lease. Only choose a lease if you can't qualify for a loan and have no cash.

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Solar Energy in San Diego

Installation, panel problems, battery storage, inverter repair, and honest SDG&E bill reduction — every solar situation without the sales pitch.

⚠️ If your solar inverter is showing a fault code or your panels stopped producing entirely, check the inverter display first. Most system shutdowns are inverter-related — not panel damage.

San Diego gets 266 sunny days a year — which is why the solar sales pressure here is relentless. Before you sign a 25-year PPA or a lease agreement, you need unbiased clarity: will this system actually pencil out with NEM 3.0? What happens when panels fail after the warranty period? Who actually owns the system on a lease?

SideGuy helps San Diego homeowners and businesses understand their solar situation clearly — whether you're evaluating a new install, troubleshooting an existing system, or trying to figure out why your bill didn't go down.

☀️ Installation & New Systems

Solar Panel Installation

What to know before signing — system sizing, NEM 3.0 impact, lease vs. buy, and contractor vetting.

Choose a Solar Company

How to evaluate San Diego solar installers — what certifications matter, what red flags to watch.

Solar Installation Companies

Local San Diego solar contractors — what questions to ask before getting a quote.

Solar Installation Guide

Step-by-step: permits, utility interconnection, inspection, and going live with SDG&E.

🔧 Troubleshooting & Repair

Solar Panel Not Working

Panels producing zero or low power — how to identify the cause and whether it's panels, inverter, or monitoring.

Diagnose Solar Problems

Step-by-step fault isolation — inverter codes, string vs. microinverter issues, shading analysis.

Inverter Repair

Inverter fault codes, repair vs. replace decision, warranty claims, and what brands are serviceable.

Solar Roof Repair

When solar installation causes roof damage — who's liable, how to document, and repair process.

Panel Cleaning

How much output loss dirty panels cause in San Diego — DIY vs. professional cleaning frequency.

Solar Confusion Before Signing?

If you have a quote in hand and want an honest second opinion — or your existing system isn't performing — text us for a straight answer with no sales agenda.

Text 773-544-1231

🔋 Battery & Storage

Battery Backup Install

Solar + battery systems — what backup coverage looks like, sizing, and Powerwall vs. Franklin vs. Enphase.

Battery Installation San Diego

Local installers, permit process, and SDG&E interconnection for battery-only or solar+storage systems.

💸 Payments, Costs & Reducing Your Bill

Reduce Your Energy Bill

Solar isn't always the answer — TOU rate changes, efficiency upgrades, and NEM 3.0 recalculations.

Energy Directory San Diego

San Diego solar and energy service providers — vetted list for installations, repairs, and audits.

Energy Payments San Diego

SDG&E billing, NEM 3.0 true-up, and financing options for energy upgrades.

Solar Installer Payment Processing

If you're a solar contractor — payment processing options, financing integrations, and reducing chargebacks.

When to Call SideGuy About Solar

You have a solar quote and want to know if it's a fair deal before signing
Your system is producing significantly less than it was a year ago
Your inverter is showing a fault code and you can't reach your installer
Your SDG&E bill didn't decrease after solar was installed
You're being offered a PPA or lease and you're not sure what you're signing
Your solar installer went out of business and your system needs service
You want to add battery backup to an existing solar system

Why Local Solar Guidance Matters in San Diego

San Diego's NEM 3.0 transition fundamentally changed solar economics in 2023 — export compensation dropped 75%. Systems designed under NEM 2.0 math no longer pencil correctly if you don't self-consume most of your production. Add in SDG&E's TOU rate structure, wildfire risk, and the aggressive lease/PPA market, and generic national solar advice doesn't apply here. SideGuy gives you San Diego-specific clarity — not a sales funnel for installers.

SideGuy Solutions · San Diego · Text 773-544-1231