California Residents: The Time to Go Solar is Now

Start your solar journey today, before savings are cut by 60%.

CA regulators passed new regulations (called NEM 3.0) that go into effect in April ‘23. But there’s still time to lock in today’s higher savings rates (for the next 20 years)!

The EnergySage Promise. We will:

Help you beat the deadline. Our team of Energy Advisors will guide you through the process from quotes to selection to paperwork in time. Don’t worry, installation can happen after the deadline!
Deliver high-quality, fairly-priced quotes. The CA solar industry is in a frenzy, which means extra caution is needed when selecting an installer and getting a fair price. We vet all our installers and review your quotes with you for quality and fairness.
Answer all your questions so you can go solar with confidence. From equipment to pricing to financing options to complex regulations, our team knows it all and will help you select what’s right for your home.

What is NEM 3.0? What just happened in CA?

In short, in December ‘22, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved new regulations called NEM 3.0, which will significantly reduce net metering compensation rates for new California solar customers (by about 75 percent). This rate reduction, which goes into effect on April 14, 2023, will reduce a consumer’s overall solar savings by about 60 percent and extend the average system payback period from 5-6 years to 9-10.

Read EnergySage’s full article on NEM 3.0, or learn more about NEM 3.0 and why going solar now is so important from our friend, sustainability expert Ben Sullins.

If you were ever thinking about going solar in California, now is the time.

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Why EnergySage

Unmatched, free educational resources that empower you to go solar with confidence
Easy-to-use calculators for quick solar estimates
Online comparison-shopping to help you secure the best deal possible
Support from unbiased Energy Advisors, available to answer all your energy questions
100% free and online - no calls unless you want them!
Transparent information and numbers to guide smarter energy decisions

“The Solar Marketplace was really easy to use and saved me money! I received quotes from five installers, was able to make an apples‑to‑apples comparison and selected the one that most appealed to me. They answered common questions in a non-technical way."

Jack G., EnergySage Customer

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FAQs

Rooftop Solar

How many solar panels do I need?

Probably more than 10 and fewer than 40. We know that’s quite a range, but with solar, there’s really no one-size-fits-all solution: the number of panels you should install depends on how much sun hits your property, your energy needs, and the amount of space you have available for the installation. Most people install a system large enough to generate as much of their electricity needs as possible (that’s how you’ll save the most money!)
Do I need a solar battery?

Need? No – most people who go solar remain connected to the grid, meaning you can pull electricity from the grid when your solar panels aren’t producing enough to meet your needs. However, even though you don’t need one, solar batteries have some pretty great benefits: if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, a battery will help keep your solar-powered home running when the grid goes down. Also, if your utility company has demand charges or time-of-use rates, installing a solar battery can help you save money.
How much do solar batteries cost?

Like solar, you can think of the costs as both a gross price and a price per relative capacity. Solar batteries range from $5,000 to $7,000+ and from $400 dollars per kilowatt hour (kWh) to $750/kWh. Note that these prices are only for the battery itself, not for the cost of installation or additional necessary equipment. The installed cost of a battery is closer to $11,000 to $18,000+, and $800/kWh to $1,300/kWh.
How much can I save with a rooftop solar panel system?

Most people can save tens of thousands of dollars on electricity costs over the lifetime of a solar panel system (25+ years). The exact amount you can save depends on many factors, including how much you spend on electricity bills, how much electricity your solar panel system generates, incentives available in your area, and more. The best way to get accurate savings estimates is to compare custom solar quotes on our Marketplace – your quotes will take all these factors and more into account.