⭐ 174 Five-Star Reviews · Serving San Diego, CA

Solar Panels San Diego, CA — Beat the Highest Rates in America

SDG&E charges $0.40+ per kWh — the most expensive electricity in the continental US. San Diego homeowners who go solar save more, faster than anywhere else in California.

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Daniel Hadobas — Las Vegas solar agent serving local homeowners

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Las Vegas resident since 1996. Top 1% nationally. 174 five-star reviews built entirely on referrals.

$0.40+

SDG&E Rate per kWh

Down to Get Started

6–8 yrs

Average Payback Period

San Diego's Trusted Solar Advisor — 174 Five-Star Reviews

Daniel Hadobas · Independent Agent · SDG&E Rate Expert

Solar in San Diego costs roughly $21,000–$28,000 for a 7–8 kW system before adding a battery (the 30% federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025 for systems you buy; only leased or PPA systems may still capture a federal incentive through 2027) — and SDG&E's extreme rates still make it the fastest payback in California. <a href="https://www.sdge.com/residential/savings-center/solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SDG&E</a> charges $0.40+/kWh, the highest residential rate in the continental US, so under <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/net-energy-metering" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NEM 3.0</a> every kWh you self-consume is worth far more than the $0.06–$0.08/kWh export credit. NEM 3.0 changed the math vs. simpler markets like Nevada — but San Diego's extreme rates make solar-plus-battery the clear winner.

San Diego homeowners served by <a href="https://www.sdge.com/residential/savings-center/solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)</a> face the highest residential <a href="https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=CA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">electricity rates</a> in the continental United States — currently averaging over $0.40 per kilowatt-hour, with average monthly bills running $200 to $250 for a typical household. Those rates have risen more than 20% in recent years and show no sign of slowing. The combination of extreme rates, abundant sunshine, and mild coastal climate makes San Diego one of the strongest solar markets in the country — most homeowners see a faster payback here than anywhere else in California, often 8 to 11 years even under NEM 3.0 and with the 30% federal credit now ended for purchases.

Under California's <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/net-energy-metering" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NEM 3.0</a> rules, San Diego solar design has shifted toward solar-plus-battery to maximize self-consumption and avoid exporting cheap power back to SDG&E at $0.06 to $0.08 per kWh. But given how expensive SDG&E electricity is to buy back, the economics still work extremely well. A properly sized system for a San Diego home typically covers 80–100% of annual electricity consumption, and pairing it with a 10–13.5 kWh battery ensures that stored solar energy covers the expensive evening peak hours. Most San Diego homeowners who go solar save $180 to $350 per month — some significantly more. The 30% federal ITC ended Dec 31, 2025 for systems you buy (only leased or PPA systems may still qualify, through 2027), but California's <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/self-generation-incentive-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SGIP battery rebate</a> still applies here, making now an excellent time to lock in your energy costs against SDG&E's rising rates.

Solar Incentives — San Diego

Federal Tax Credit — Expired Dec 31, 2025 for Purchases

The 30% federal solar tax credit ended December 31, 2025 for solar and battery systems you buy with cash or a loan. A leased or PPA (third-party-owned) system may still capture a federal incentive through the end of 2027. For San Diego homeowners who buy, the real value now comes from California's SGIP battery rebate, the property tax exclusion, and avoiding SDG&E's $0.40+/kWh rates — the highest in the continental US.

California SGIP Battery Rebate

SDG&E territory qualifies for California's <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/self-generation-incentive-program" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SGIP program</a>. Standard rebates are $200–$400/kWh of battery capacity. Low-income households and those in Tier 2/3 fire hazard zones qualify for $850–$1,000/kWh. San Diego's high rates make battery storage especially valuable — SGIP makes it more affordable.

California Property Tax Exclusion

California law excludes solar system value from property tax reassessment. Your home's market value increases with a solar installation, but your Prop 13 assessed value is not reassessed for the solar portion — no increased property tax bill.

NEM 3.0 Net Metering (SDG&E)

<a href="https://www.sdge.com/residential/savings-center/solar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SDG&E</a> participates in California's <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/electrical-energy/demand-side-management/net-energy-metering" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NEM 3.0</a>. While export rates are now $0.06–$0.08/kWh (down from retail under NEM 2.0), the high SDG&E retail rate means every kWh you self-consume is worth $0.40+ in avoided cost. Proper system design maximizes that self-consumption.

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"Daniel is very good at his job. Makes you feel as a valued customer. He was very helpful through our nearly 3 month solar panel install project. He was proactive throughout the project always letting us know what to expect in the next step and was quick to respond to our questions. The SunSolar Solutions crew that we dealt with from the installers, their inspector, and Angel, the last tech who came through to finish up the project were all very polite, informative, and professional. Would recommend them when considering solar panels."

"What a great experience with Daniel at Sunder Energy. We were actually going to go with another solar company, but when Daniel showed up, he pitched us his services. He walked us through the different products and which solar company would be installing our equipment. Daniel was with us every step of the way. Even when we had some issues with the installation of the equipment, Daniel made the calls to have the technicians come back and fix everything. Even when he was out of country, Daniel always returned our calls and text messages in a timely manner. Truly responsive! A few days after the installation, he even stopped by and had us load solar apps on our devices and walked us through what to expect. Although we were nervous in the beginning, Daniel made the whole experience worthwhile. Totally awesome customer service! If you're looking into solar, look no further. Give Daniel a call — you won't regret it!"

"This review is long overdue but I am glad we are finally getting to rave about how amazing our experience with Daniel and Sunsolar has been. I was EXTREMELY skeptical about the whole solar idea since my husband and I had such a horrible interaction with another solar company. A few weeks later Daniel knocked on our door. He politely asked if he could return the next day with a more in-depth proposal and if we were still not interested, he would 'kick rocks'. The following day he showed up on time, fully explained every detail, and even I, the self-proclaimed queen of skepticism, couldn't turn down the offer. A HUGE plus is that he didn't try to over-sell us more equipment than we needed. From start to finish the project took less than a month — not at all what we expected. From our interactions with Daniel down to every employee we spoke with, we were 100% impressed. We are now extremely happy solar owners and would highly recommend them to anyone on the fence about solar."

"Daniel at Sunsolar Solutions is great. He is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. He made sure I understood everything from start to finish. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to go solar."

"Daniel was a pleasure to work with from the very first day he came to our house. He thoroughly explained the complete process step by step. He was always available when we had questions."

"We highly recommend Sunsolar Solutions, especially our rep, Daniel Hadobas, who made the whole experience super easy and smooth. Our system is performing great and our bills are down dramatically."

⚠️ 2026 update on the federal tax credit

The 30% federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025 for systems you buy with cash or a loan. Cost and savings figures on this page that assume that credit may be out of date. Two things still apply: Nevada's sales-tax and property-tax exemptions and NV Energy net metering, and systems on a lease or PPA may still qualify for a federal incentive through the end of 2027. For numbers that reflect today's incentives, book a free review and talk to a tax professional about your situation.

Solar FAQs — San Diego, CA

How much does solar cost in San Diego?

San Diego solar installations run $3.00–$3.50 per watt before incentives — slightly higher than the state average due to local labor and permitting costs. A 7–8 kW system costs $21,000–$28,000 — the 30% federal credit ended Dec 31, 2025, so there's no further reduction for a cash or loan purchase. Adding a 13.5 kWh battery adds approximately $9,000–$12,000 before SGIP rebates. $0 down financing available.

Is solar worth it in San Diego?

San Diego is the best solar market in California for financial return. SDG&E's $0.40+/kWh rates mean every kWh your panels produce is worth twice what a Las Vegas or Sacramento homeowner saves. Most San Diego homeowners see payback in 8–11 years now that the 30% federal credit has ended for purchases, and save $180–$350/month. Even under NEM 3.0, solar-plus-battery delivers strong returns here, and California's SGIP rebate still helps offset the battery.

What is SDG&E net metering under NEM 3.0?

SDG&E is under California's NEM 3.0 framework. Excess solar exported to the grid earns Avoided Cost Calculator credits, currently $0.06–$0.08/kWh. Homeowners who interconnected before April 14, 2023 are grandfathered on NEM 2.0 for 20 years. For new customers, pairing solar with battery storage is the recommended approach to avoid exporting at low rates.

How much can I save on my SDG&E bill with solar?

Most San Diego homeowners save $180–$350 per month on their SDG&E bill after going solar. Homes with high AC usage, pool equipment, or EV charging often save more. Because SDG&E rates are the highest in the US, even a moderately sized system delivers outsized savings compared to other California markets.

What solar incentives are available in San Diego in 2025?

The 30% federal ITC ended December 31, 2025 for systems you buy — only leased or PPA systems may still capture a federal incentive through 2027. San Diego homeowners who buy still qualify for: (1) California SGIP battery rebates ($200–$1,000/kWh depending on eligibility), (2) California's property tax exclusion for solar systems, and (3) NEM 3.0 net metering through SDG&E. Some SDG&E bill discount programs and low-income assistance programs may also apply.

Do I need battery storage with solar in San Diego?

Under NEM 3.0, battery storage is strongly recommended. Without it, your excess solar exports to SDG&E at $0.06–$0.08/kWh — but you pay $0.40+/kWh to buy it back at night. A battery stores your daytime production for evening use, dramatically improving your ROI. The federal ITC ended Dec 31, 2025 for owned systems, but California SGIP rebates can still cover $2,700–$13,500 of the battery cost.