Solar Cost Estimator — Bay Area, 2026
Answer six quick questions about your bill, roof, and plans. Get a recommended system size, a 2026 price range before incentives, estimated savings under NEM 3.0, and payback — instantly, with no sales call.
Priced at our published Bay Area ranges. Last updated: September 2026
Often paired with: SGIP battery rebate estimate · All 2026 incentives · NEM 3.0 savings · Load calculator
Skip the math?
Send us a PG&E bill and we’ll design and price it from your real usage.
Get a Free QuoteWhat the estimate is built on
This tool uses the same published ranges as our pricing page and the sizing logic we use in real proposals. It is deliberately conservative: rates are held flat for the 25-year figure even though PG&E rates have historically risen.
| Assumption | Value used | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Installed solar price | $2.50–$3.80 per watt | Our Bay Area range; tracks LBNL Tracking the Sun and EnergySage California data. |
| Home battery, installed | $9,000–$20,000 per unit | Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH aPower, Enphase IQ; backup scope moves it. |
| Panel upgrade (100A → 200A) | $4,500–$14,000 | Added only when a 100A/125A panel meets a battery, EV, or heat pump. |
| Production | ~1,500 kWh per kW-DC per year | South-facing, unshaded Santa Clara County roof (NREL PVWatts-class figure); adjusted down for east/west, north, and shade. |
| Blended energy rate | ~40¢/kWh + $24.15/mo fixed | PG&E residential average after the March 1, 2026 rate change; the Base Services Charge is not offset by solar. |
| Energy charges removed | 50–70% solar only; 80–90% with a battery | NEM 3.0 export credits (~$0.05–$0.08/kWh) make self-consumption the lever. |
| Planned loads | EV +3,000 kWh/yr; heat pump +2,000; HP water heater +1,200; pool +1,500 | Typical Bay Area additions, so the array is sized for where you’re going, not where you are. |
Frequently asked questions
How much does solar cost in the Bay Area in 2026?
A typical Bay Area home solar system costs $20,000–$50,000 before incentives, or about $2.50–$3.80 per watt installed. Most homes need 8–13 kW. Adding one home battery (Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH, or Enphase) adds $9,000–$20,000 installed, and a 100A-to-200A panel upgrade, if needed, adds $4,500–$14,000. These are the same published ranges on our pricing page; your fixed, itemized price is set in your free quote.
How does this estimator size my system?
It converts your average monthly PG&E bill into annual kWh (after removing the ~$24.15/month Base Services Charge that solar cannot offset), adds any loads you plan to add (EV, heat pump, pool), and divides by the expected production per kW for your roof. A south-facing, unshaded Santa Clara County roof produces roughly 1,500 kWh per kW-DC per year; east/west, north, and shaded roofs produce less, so they need more panels for the same usage.
Why does the estimator recommend a battery?
Under NEM 3.0, PG&E pays only about $0.05–$0.08 per kWh for solar you export, but charges full retail for what you buy back in the 4–9 pm peak. A battery stores your midday solar for the evening, which is where most of the savings now come from — typically lifting the share of energy charges you eliminate from roughly 50–70% (solar only) to 80–90%. A battery also gives backup during PG&E outages and may qualify for the California SGIP rebate.
Is the 30% federal solar tax credit included?
No. The residential clean energy credit (Section 25D) ended for home systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so this estimator prices 2026 systems without it. What still applies to homes: SGIP battery rebates, California's property-tax exclusion for solar, and $0-down financing. Commercial and non-profit projects may still qualify for the federal Investment Tax Credit.
How accurate is the estimate?
It is a planning ballpark, not a quote. Real numbers depend on your 12 months of PG&E interval usage, your rate plan (E-TOU-C, E-ELEC, etc.), roof pitch and layout, shading measured on site, equipment choice, and whether your panel needs work. Because of our Fixed-Price Guarantee, the price in your written quote is the price you pay for the agreed scope.
What does the estimator do with my information?
Nothing until you ask us to email your estimate. When you do, we save your answers and estimate so we can prepare a fixed quote, send the estimate to your inbox, and follow up the same business day. We never sell or share leads.
Further reading: What solar costs in the Bay Area (2026) · Solar payback period under NEM 3.0 · Powerwall 3 vs FranklinWH vs Enphase
Turn the estimate into a fixed price
Licensed, bonded & insured Bay Area electricians. Upfront pricing and same-day estimates available.
CA Lic #1143455 · Tesla Certified Installer · Enphase · Bonded & Insured
✓ 10-year workmanship warranty · ✓ Our own licensed C-10 crew — no subcontractors · ✓ Upfront, no-pressure pricing
Get a Free Quote ☎ (650) 451-8464