Stop Overpaying for Electricity in San Diego
Your system. Your roof. Custom-designed for your home. 25+ years experience. 15,000+ installations. 25-year workmanship warranty.
WHY SOLARTECH
Why Choose SolarTech for Your Solar Needs
Every San Diego solar installation is custom-designed for your home, your roof, and your energy needs.
San Diego Pays Some of the Highest Rates in the Country
SDG&E charges San Diego homeowners $0.46-$0.50/kWh – 149% above the national average. Rates have climbed 42.75% since 2018 and 20% in just the last three years. A solar system sized to your usage stops that climb from hitting your wallet.
Superior Equipment for Coastal San Diego
We install premium panels from Maxeon, REC, and Q CELLS paired with battery storage from Tesla Powerwall and Enphase. San Diego’s 266 sunny days and 6.77 peak sun hours per day mean high production – but the coastal marine layer (“June Gloom”) makes panel efficiency matter. We select equipment rated for these conditions.
Proven Track Record
Over 15,000 installations across California and Arizona since 2001. 4.7-star Google rating with 800+ reviews. San Diego County alone added 5,127 residential solar installations in 2024 – and has 880 MW of residential solar capacity, second highest in California.
Backup Power When the Grid Goes Down
Over 50% of San Diego census tracts have significant wildfire risk – 269 tracts have more than half their buildings in fire hazard zones. SDG&E runs Public Safety Power Shutoffs during high-risk conditions. Solar with battery storage keeps your home running when the grid doesn’t.
Experience & Expertise
Leading Solar Experts
- Designing and building solar systems since 2001
- Free consultations tailored to your home and energy needs
- Battery storage to capture full value under California's NEM 3.0
- $0 down financing, lease, PPA, and cash options available
- 25-year workmanship warranty for solar energy systems
- 25-year solar energy production guarantee
- Serving San Diego, Chula Vista, Del Mar, Carlsbad, Poway, Santee, and San Marcos
Solar Incentives
San Diego Solar Incentives You Qualify For
Here’s what reduces your cost right now:
SGIP Battery Rebate
California pays $1.10/Wh toward battery storage – up to $11,000 back on a 10 kWh battery. Live in one of San Diego’s 269 high fire-risk census tracts? The Equity Resiliency tier pays $3.10/W for paired solar – significantly more.
Property Tax Exclusion
Your solar system is exempt from property tax reassessment. A $20,000 system adds $0 to your tax bill. Expires January 1, 2027 – installations completed before then are locked in.
Lease or PPA Options
The federal 30% homeowner tax credit was eliminated in January 2026. Through a lease or PPA, the installer claims the Section 48E credit and passes savings to you through lower payments. Compare $0 down financing options.
NEM 3.0 + Battery Strategy
Under NEM 3.0, SDG&E pays ~$0.08/kWh for excess solar you export. But SDG&E charges $0.697/kWh during peak evening hours (4-9pm). That’s an 8.7x gap. A battery stores your daytime solar for evening use instead of giving it away – turning $0.08 of value into $0.697.
How We Work
Our Solar Installation Process
01
Free Consultation
We evaluate your San Diego home’s energy needs, roof condition, and sun exposure. You get a detailed proposal with system size, expected production, and projected savings.
02
Custom System Design
Our engineers design a custom system optimized for your home and energy usage. For San Diego homeowners on SDG&E’s time-of-use plan, we recommend pairing with battery storage to use your solar during peak hours (4-9pm, $0.697/kWh) instead of exporting at $0.08.
03
Permitting & Approvals
The City of San Diego offers same-day online approval for standard residential rooftop solar – 93% of county permits are processed online. San Diego County has waived permit fees for residential solar. We handle all paperwork, structural engineering, and electrical plans.
04
Professional Installation
Our licensed technicians install your system with minimal disruption, typically completing the work in 1-3 days. Tier-1 panels with 25+ year manufacturer warranties.
05
Inspection & Activation
After passing all inspections, we submit your interconnection application to SDG&E. Total timeline from permit to Permission to Operate: typically 60-90 days.
our equipment
Quality Solar Panel Options for San Diego Properties
Premium Solar Panels
High-efficiency panels from Maxeon, REC, and Q CELLS – selected for San Diego’s 266 sunny days and coastal climate. San Diego installations run $2.32-$3.14 per watt – a typical 7 kW system costs $16,240-$21,980 before incentives.
Battery Storage
Essential under NEM 3.0. Store daytime solar for evening use when SDG&E charges $0.697/kWh instead of exporting at $0.08. Backup power during wildfire-related grid shutoffs. We install Tesla Powerwall 3, Enphase, and NeoVolta. Add $8,000-$12,000 for a 10 kWh battery – offset by SGIP rebates of up to $11,000. See the full San Diego solar cost breakdown.
Get Your Free Solar Quote Today
Join over 15,000 homeowners who chose SolarTech. Custom solar installations designed for your San Diego home, backed by our 25-year workmanship warranty.
GET A SAVINGS ESTIMATE
See How Much Solar Could Save You
Find out what solar can do for your San Diego home. Calculate your potential savings based on your actual roof and energy usage – no home visit required.
Frequently Asked Solar Questions
Contact SolarTech Support
Phone
(619) 743 9193
sales@solartechonline.com
How much does solar installation cost in San Diego?
San Diego solar installations cost $2.32-$3.14 per watt, or $16,240-$21,980 for a typical 7 kW system. Battery storage adds $8,000-$12,000 but California’s SGIP rebate covers up to $11,000 of that.
How much does SDG&E charge for electricity?
SDG&E charges San Diego homeowners $0.46-$0.50/kWh on average – 149% above the national average. Peak hours (4-9pm) cost $0.697/kWh, and rates have climbed 42.75% since 2018.
Does SDG&E pay you for solar power?
Under NEM 3.0, SDG&E credits ~$0.08/kWh for excess solar – far less than the $0.697/kWh they charge during peak hours. A battery keeps that value instead of giving it away at a fraction of what you pay.
Do I need a battery with solar in San Diego?
Yes. Without one, you export solar at $0.08/kWh and buy it back at $0.697/kWh during peak hours. Over 50% of San Diego census tracts also face significant wildfire risk, making battery backup essential during grid shutoffs.
How long does solar permitting take in San Diego?
The City of San Diego offers same-day online approval for standard residential solar, and the county has waived permit fees. Total timeline from permit to SDG&E Permission to Operate: 60-90 days.