Residential Solar Installation
Pacific Edge Electric and Solar is a licensed C-10 electrical contractor (CA #1143455) that has designed and installed residential solar systems across Los Gatos, San Jose, and Silicon Valley since 2014.
Since March 2026 PG&E bills a fixed ~$24/month Base Services Charge that solar can’t touch — but the energy charges on top of it are still most of your bill, and those you can stop paying. Home solar paired with a battery under NEM 3.0 lets you generate and store your own power instead of buying it back at peak rates.
Often paired with: Solar installers San Jose · Battery storage · EV chargers · Panel upgrades
Further reading: What solar costs in the Bay Area (2026) · Solar payback period under NEM 3.0 · Solar not producing? Service-entry troubleshooting
A typical Bay Area home solar system costs $20,000–$50,000 before incentives and saves the typical homeowner $1,500–$3,000 per year against PG&E's peak energy rates (the fixed ~$24/month Base Services Charge PG&E added in March 2026 can't be offset by solar, so we size systems to what you actually use). With $0-down financing you can start saving with no upfront cost, and adding a battery captures peak-rate savings under NEM 3.0 while keeping your power on during outages. A typical system runs roughly $2.50–$3.80 per watt before incentives. We install premium panels, Tesla and Enphase inverters, and battery storage, and we handle the full permitting and PG&E interconnection process.
Last updated: October 2026
Why Choose Solar for Your Home?
Solar is worth it for most Bay Area homeowners because PG&E's residential rates ($0.40–$0.60+ per kWh) are among the highest in the United States, so the savings offset the system cost quickly. Beyond cutting your monthly electric bill, solar contributes to a cleaner environment and typically increases home resale value.
Our Residential Solar Services
- Custom System Design - Engineered specifically for your roof, energy usage, and budget
- Premium Solar Panels - High-efficiency panels from top manufacturers with 25+ year warranties
- Professional Installation - Licensed installers ensure optimal performance
- Battery Storage Options - Add energy storage for backup power and maximum savings
- Monitoring Systems - Track your energy production in real-time
- Permitting & Inspections - We handle all paperwork and inspections
- Incentive Assistance - We check every rebate that applies to your address (local CCA and utility programs, and the SGIP waitlist for income-qualified households) and itemize them in your quote
Equipment We Install
We install Tier-1 monocrystalline panels (REC, Q CELLS, and Silfab), paired with Enphase IQ8 microinverters or Tesla solar inverters, and integrate battery storage from Tesla Powerwall, FranklinWH, and Enphase IQ Battery. As a Tesla Certified Installer and Enphase Installer, we match equipment to your roof, budget, and backup needs rather than selling a single brand.
Solar Cost & Savings in the Bay Area
A residential solar system in the Bay Area costs $20,000–$50,000 before incentives and saves the typical homeowner $1,500–$3,000 per year — $37,500–$75,000 over a 25-year system life. The table below shows representative pricing by system size before incentives.
| System size | Typical home | Cost before incentives | Est. annual bill savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 kW | Smaller, efficient home | $25,000 | $2,400 |
| 10 kW | Average Bay Area home | $32,000 | $2,800 |
| 13 kW | Larger home / EV owner | $48,000 | $3,000 |
Estimates based on PG&E rates and typical Bay Area sun hours. Actual cost and savings depend on roof, usage, and equipment. Pricing reviewed October 2026.
Sources: installed-cost benchmarks from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Tracking the Sun); export rates per the CPUC Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0); retail rates per PG&E rate plans.
How NEM 3.0 and PG&E Affect Your Solar Savings
Under California's NEM 3.0 (the Net Billing Tariff in effect since April 2023), PG&E pays roughly $0.05–$0.08 per kWh for solar energy you export to the grid — about 75% less than the old NEM 2.0 retail-rate credit. Because export credits are now low, pairing solar with a battery (charging it on your own production instead of exporting) is the single biggest lever on payback, which is why most of our NEM 3.0 designs include Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH storage.
The Installation Process
Most residential installs take 1–3 days on site; the full timeline from signed proposal to PG&E permission-to-operate is typically 6–12 weeks, with permitting and utility interconnection being the longest steps.
1. Free Consultation
We assess your property, review your energy bills, and design a custom solar system.
2. Custom Proposal
Receive a detailed proposal with system specifications, costs, savings projections, and financing options.
3. Permitting
We handle all permits, utility applications, and HOA approvals.
4. Installation
Our certified team installs your system, typically within 1-3 days.
5. Inspection & Activation
Final inspection and utility approval to activate your solar system.
6. Monitoring & Support
Ongoing monitoring and maintenance support for optimal performance.
Financing & Incentives
You can go solar with $0 down. We offer solar loans so you can start saving on your PG&E bill with no upfront cost, and we check every local utility and CCA rebate that applies to your address. California's SGIP battery rebate is closed or waitlisted as of September 2026; if you qualify for the income-based tier we submit your reservation so you're in line when funding returns. We walk every customer through the available incentives during the free proposal so the net cost is clear before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does residential solar cost in the Bay Area?
A typical Bay Area home solar system costs $20,000–$50,000 before incentives (about $2.50–$3.80 per watt installed). Final price depends on system size (most homes need 8–13 kW), roof complexity, and whether you add battery storage. The residential federal tax credit ended after 2025 and California's SGIP battery rebates are closed or waitlisted as of September 2026, so we price your system without them and tell you if a budget reopens. We give a fixed, itemized quote before any work begins.
What is the payback period for home solar, and how much will I save?
Bay Area solar saves the typical homeowner $1,500–$3,000 per year — $37,500–$75,000 over a 25-year system life. The savings come from PG&E's residential energy rates ($0.40–$0.60+ per kWh at peak), among the highest in the U.S. — note that since March 2026 PG&E also bills a fixed ~$24/month Base Services Charge that solar cannot offset, so payback is driven by the energy you self-consume, not by exports. Most systems pay for themselves well within their 25-year life, and the exact payback depends on your usage, system size, and current incentives. After payback, the electricity your system produces is essentially free.
Do I still need solar under NEM 3.0, and why does a battery matter now?
Yes — solar still saves you money under NEM 3.0, but how you save has changed. Under California's NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff, in effect since April 2023), PG&E pays only about $0.05–$0.08 per kWh for power you export to the grid, roughly 75% less than the old NEM 2.0 credit. The biggest savings now come from using your own solar directly and pairing it with a battery that stores daytime production for evening use instead of exporting it cheaply. That's why most of our NEM 3.0 designs include a Tesla Powerwall or FranklinWH battery.
How long does residential solar installation take, including PG&E interconnection?
On-site installation usually takes just 1–3 days. The full timeline from a signed proposal to PG&E Permission to Operate (PTO) is typically 6–12 weeks. The longest steps are city permitting and PG&E's interconnection review, not the physical install. We handle all permits, utility applications, and HOA approvals so you don't have to chase paperwork.
Can I install solar with $0 down?
Yes. We offer $0-down solar financing through solar loans, so you can start saving on your electric bill with no upfront cost — often with a monthly payment lower than your current PG&E bill. Adding a battery protects you during PG&E outages and PSPS events; California's SGIP battery rebate is waitlisted as of September 2026, so we check your eligibility and get you on the list rather than pricing around it. We walk every customer through the financing and current incentive options during the free proposal.
What warranty comes with your residential solar systems?
Our solar panels carry 25-year manufacturer warranties on both performance and product, and inverters (Enphase IQ8 microinverters or Tesla inverters) carry 10–25 year warranties depending on the equipment. As a licensed C-10 contractor (CA #1143455), Tesla Certified Installer, and Enphase Installer, we also stand behind our workmanship with a 10-year workmanship warranty on our installation.
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