Solar & Battery Savings in California, United States Get quotes from local installers
Design solar and battery systems for California using Photonik's professional design platform. California leads the nation in solar energy production, generating over 68,000 GWh in 2023. The state offers property tax exclusions, Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) rebates for battery storage, and net metering policies.
Solar Energy Savings in California
How Solar Reduces Your Electricity Bills
The calculations below show how your electricity bills change with solar.
What drives your savings in California
California’s retail electricity rates — around 33c/kWh, nearly double the national average — make solar self-consumption extremely valuable. However, the shift to NEM 3.0 in 2023 slashed export credits from full retail to roughly 5–8c/kWh based on avoided-cost methodology, making battery storage essential to maximise savings. Excellent solar irradiance of 5–6+ kWh/m²/day ensures strong generation, and the federal 30% ITC further reduces system costs. Under NEM 3.0, the payback calculus has shifted firmly toward pairing solar with a home battery rather than exporting surplus.
Your usage & system size California
Energy usage & tariffs
Energy consumption patterns in California reflect the state's diverse climate, from coastal regions with mild temperatures to inland areas with extreme heat. The average California household uses between 35-45 kWh per day, with coastal properties typically at the lower end due to milder climate, whilst inland areas consume more for air conditioning during hot summers. Energy-efficient properties throughout California often use significantly less through modern insulation, efficient HVAC systems, and smart home technologies.
Before installing solar, consider reducing your energy consumption through improved insulation and energy-efficient appliances. This is particularly valuable in California, where high electricity rates make reducing consumption a sound investment that can lower required solar system size and improve returns.
Solar system size
You'll need around 10.5kW of solar to match your average consumption in California. We recommend sizing between 15.8kW and 21.1kW for optimal results, accounting for daily and seasonal variations. California enjoys excellent solar potential, with most regions averaging 5.0-5.5 kWh/kW/day annually, amongst the highest in the US, with consistent generation throughout most of the year.
A 15.8 kW system in California generates approximately 66.7 kWh daily on average, with seasonal variation from 3.21 kWh/kW/day in December to 4.79 kWh/kW/day in August. California's exceptional solar irradiance, combined with high electricity rates and strong state incentives, makes solar particularly attractive for homeowners across the state.
Battery storage
With solar-only (no battery), a 15.8 kW system provides approximately 50% self-usage in California, depending on your consumption patterns, drawing 50% from the grid. Adding a 10 kWh battery increases energy independence to approximately 72% annually, reducing grid reliance to 28%. Battery storage is especially valuable in California, where the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) provides rebates for battery systems, and batteries provide backup power during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) in high-fire-risk areas.
Under NEM 3.0, export credits are based on time-of-use avoided-cost rates — low during midday solar peaks but higher in the evening. A battery lets you shift exports into higher-rate periods or simply use your solar at night. Virtual power plant programs and utility demand response events can also pay battery owners for dispatching stored energy during grid stress. For accurate battery savings and ROI calculations specific to your utility, use the full Photonik design tool.
System Pricing & Payback for California
Use the full Photonik solar planning and design platform to model a complete system for your home — including detailed costs, equipment options, and financial returns.
For a quick price guide, see the United States solar calculator.
Solar Installers Los Angeles
Example local businesses with published addresses; not ranked by Photonik or by star ratings.
- Semper Solaris — 10713 Norwalk Blvd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
- Freedom Forever — 3322 Garfield Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90040
- NRG Clean Power — 7012 Owensmouth Ave, Canoga Park, CA 91303
- LGCY Power (Fullerton office) — 1501 E Orangethorpe Ave, Suite 110, Fullerton, CA 92831
- Complete Solar (Oxnard office) — 300 E Esplanade Dr, Suite 906, Oxnard, CA 93036
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Solar Installers San Diego
Example local businesses with published addresses; not ranked by Photonik or by star ratings.
- Semper Solaris — 1805 John Towers Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020
- Baker Electric Home Energy — 2120 Harmony Grove Road, Escondido, CA 92029
- Sunrun — 964 5th Ave, Unit 510, San Diego, CA 92101
- Complete Solar — 5030 Camino De La Siesta, Suite 409, San Diego, CA 92108
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Solar Installers San Jose
Example local businesses with published addresses; not ranked by Photonik or by star ratings.
- Sunrun — 575 Dado St, San Jose, CA 95131
- Cinnamon Energy Systems — 809 University Ave, Los Gatos, CA 95032
- Clean Solar — 1445 Koll Circle, Suite 109, San Jose, CA 95112
- Sunrun (Zanker Rd) — 2300 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95131
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Solar Installers San Francisco
Example local businesses with published addresses; not ranked by Photonik or by star ratings.
- Sunrun — 600 California Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA 94108
- Luminalt — 10 Carolina St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Sutro Power — 2259 Shafter Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
- Semper Solaris (Concord office) — 1990 Olivera Rd, Suite E, Concord, CA 94520
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