"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."
⭐ 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.
$0.40+
SDG&E Rate per kWh
$0
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
San Diego homeowners served by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) face the highest residential electricity rates 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 6 to 8 years even under NEM 3.0.
Under California's NEM 3.0 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 federal 30% ITC and California's SGIP battery rebate apply here as well, making now an excellent time to lock in your energy costs.
Solar Incentives — San Diego
Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
The 30% federal ITC applies to your entire solar-plus-battery system cost. San Diego systems tend to be larger due to high usage — so the ITC savings are substantial, often $7,500–$11,000 back in federal taxes. Available through 2032.
California SGIP Battery Rebate
SDG&E territory qualifies for California's SGIP program. 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)
SDG&E participates in California's NEM 3.0. 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.
5.0
174 Verified Google Reviews
"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."
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 before the 30% federal ITC, and $14,700–$19,600 after. 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 6–8 years and save $180–$350/month. Even under NEM 3.0, solar-plus-battery delivers strong returns here.
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?
San Diego homeowners qualify for: (1) the 30% federal ITC on solar and battery, (2) California SGIP battery rebates ($200–$1,000/kWh depending on eligibility), (3) California's property tax exclusion for solar systems, and (4) 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 covers 30% of battery cost, and SGIP rebates can cover an additional $2,700–$13,500.
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