Quick answers to the questions we hear most.

It can, but the economics changed. Under the CPUC’s Net Billing Tariff (often called NEM 3.0), solar exported to the grid is credited at hourly export values that are generally well below retail rates, so savings depend mostly on how much solar you use in the home and when. A battery can shift midday solar into the evening, when export credits are low and retail prices are higher. Whether a system pencils out depends on your rate plan, usage pattern and installed cost, so we estimate savings from your utility interval data rather than quoting a typical return.

It depends on the site, so we don’t quote a typical IRR. The main drivers are your tariff (energy and demand charges), how much production you use on site, installed cost, financing, and your tax position. Federal credit eligibility and rate are project-specific (see the federal tax credit question below). We model your interval data against your current tariff and show the assumptions behind any return we present.

From signed contract to operational system: residential typically 8–14 weeks, commercial typically 4–9 months. The variable is utility interconnection — PG&E Rule 21 timelines have stretched. We file early (during design, before construction) to protect your schedule. Actual installation on-site is usually 2–5 days for residential, 2–6 weeks for commercial.

For high-stakes projects we standardize on Maxeon and REC panels (lowest degradation rates in the industry), Sol-Ark and Enphase inverters (best islanding and Sunlight Backup™ performance), and Enphase or commercial-grade lithium batteries. We don't chase the cheapest panel of the month — equipment quality determines whether your financial model holds up at year 15.

Rules changed in 2025 and depend on project specifics. Residential (Section 25D): the IRS says the credit is not allowed for expenditures made after December 31, 2025, and an installation counts as an expenditure when it is completed, so a homeowner-owned system completed in 2026 or later gets no 25D credit. Commercial solar (Section 48E): under IRS Notice 2025-42, a solar facility that begins construction after July 4, 2026 must be placed in service by December 31, 2027 to qualify; projects that began construction on or before July 4, 2026 are assessed under the beginning-of-construction and continuity rules. The 30% rate is not automatic: the base rate is 6% and rises to 30% when prevailing-wage and apprenticeship requirements are met or an exception applies, and foreign-entity sourcing restrictions apply to projects beginning construction after 2025. Energy storage is not subject to the July 2026 solar deadline but must meet the other requirements. EV chargers: the IRS says the Section 30C credit does not apply to property placed in service after June 30, 2026. Leases and PPAs depend on the owner’s eligibility under these rules. See our updated federal credit guide. General information, not tax advice; last reviewed October 10, 2026.

Engineering, design, and project management are handled entirely in-house. From first design through final commissioning, you always have a single accountable point of contact and one company standing behind the finished system.