Important: Solar proposals are more complex than most home service quotes. We'll review the system size, production estimates, price per watt, financing terms, escalator clauses, and NEM 3.0 billing implications — all the things that are easy to miss when a salesperson is in your living room.
Text PJ the PDF or key numbers. This is a 25-year decision — take 24 hours to get a second set of honest eyes. No cost, no catch.
Text 773-544-1231For a typical 6–8 kW system: $17,000–$26,000 before the 30% federal tax credit, which brings it to $12,000–$18,000 net. Price per watt before incentives should be around $2.80–$3.30. Above $3.50/watt is high for San Diego unless there's complex roofing or electrical work involved.
Yes, significantly. Under NEM 3.0 (effective April 2023 for new systems), SDG&E pays you much less for excess solar you export to the grid — roughly 75% less than under NEM 2.0. This affects payback period and optimal system sizing. Many pre-NEM 3.0 pitch decks still circulate — make sure your proposal reflects current economics.
Buy if you can, in most cases. You get the 30% federal tax credit, full ownership, and cleaner home sale. Leases transfer as liens on the home and can complicate sale. Loans are middle-ground. The right answer depends on your tax situation and plans — send us your proposal and we'll walk through it.
Rarely fully accurate under NEM 3.0. You'll have a minimum monthly connection fee ($10–$15/month with SDG&E regardless of production) and your savings depend heavily on your usage patterns. "Zero bill" claims should be backed by specific numbers in the proposal — if they aren't, ask why.
A lease escalator increases your monthly payment each year by a set percentage (often 2–3%). Over 20+ years, this can mean your "affordable" solar lease becomes more expensive than buying power from SDG&E. Always ask for the payment schedule for all 20–25 years, not just year one.
Yes. We don't install solar, don't take referral fees from installers, and don't have anything to gain from pointing you toward or away from any company. We exist to give you honest guidance before a major financial decision.
Complete solar guidance for San Diego homeowners — NEM 3.0, costs, installers, and more.
Honest 2026 analysis with NEM 3.0 factored in.
If your solar install requires a panel upgrade, review that quote too.
Getting bids on another trade? SideGuy reviews any San Diego contractor quote — text us the numbers before you sign.
All solar installations in San Diego require a permit and SDGE interconnection approval. Battery storage systems require additional fire/electrical inspection under California Fire Code. Budget $300–$1,500 for permit fees on mid-range projects. Permit fees are a legitimate hard cost — any quote that omits them is understating the true project cost.
$80–$150/hr. A typical 7kW system installation takes 1–2 days for a 2-person crew.. On a typical project, labor accounts for 30–50% of total quoted cost. The specific crew skill level, travel distance, and San Diego's high cost of living all push labor rates above national averages.
Solar panels (per watt): $0.30–$0.70 material cost. Inverter: $1,500–$6,000. Battery bank (10kWh): $8,000–$14,000 installed. Material prices in San Diego track 8–15% above national averages due to supply chain routing and local fuel costs. Ask for a materials breakdown — understanding what you're paying for reduces negotiating friction.
Solar contractors operate at 25–45% gross margin. Equipment markup is often 30–50% above wholesale cost. Ask for equipment brand/model to verify market pricing. Margin itself is not a problem — contractors need it to sustain a licensed, insured business. The problem is when margin is hidden inside inflated line items rather than stated transparently.
Every contractor doing work in California must hold a current, active license from the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). For solar installation work, the relevant classification is C-46 (Solar Contractor) — or Class B with C-10 (Electrical) for solar + electrical scope.
The CSLB lookup takes 60 seconds and shows: current license status, bond amount, workers' compensation status, and any enforcement history. A contractor who discourages you from verifying their license is a contractor worth reconsidering.
What to verify: license number matches the contractor entity on your contract, license status is "Active," bond is current, and workers' comp is in force (or contractor has a valid exemption).
The lowest bid on a solar installation project in San Diego is not always — and not usually — the best value. Low bids typically mean one of three things: scope has been omitted, permits are being skipped, or the materials specification is lower-grade than the competing bids.
A complete, honest bid that is 15% higher than the lowest quote is almost always the better financial decision. The cost of a failed inspection, a scope dispute, or unpermitted work discovered during a future home sale typically exceeds the initial bid difference by 3–5x.
The right question is not "who is cheapest?" but "whose quote is most complete?" A bid that accounts for permits, proper disposal, licensed subcontractors, and a written warranty is protecting your investment — not inflating it.
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About This Review
Reviewed with 20+ years of local contractor pricing exposure across San Diego County. SideGuy does not sell construction services, accept referral fees from contractors, or take any compensation tied to your hiring decision. We review quotes before you commit. Clarity before cost.
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