Solar Questions? Start Here.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. That electricity can be used by the home as it is produced, stored in a battery for later use, or exported to the utility grid depending on the system design and applicable utility rules.

Not necessarily. Solar can reduce the amount of electricity you purchase from the utility, but many customers still have utility charges, fixed charges, taxes, fees or electricity usage that exceeds solar production.

Solar customers may still have grid-energy charges, required service charges, taxes, fees or electricity usage that is not fully supplied by the solar system. The bill also depends on when electricity is imported and exported, household consumption, battery use and current utility tariff rules.

We review historical electricity use, usable roof space, roof orientation, shading, utility requirements, future energy needs and the wattage of the panels being considered.

No. Higher-wattage panels may help when roof space is limited, but the right panel depends on system design, panel dimensions, compatibility, availability, production goals and cost.

Yes, although production is normally lower when sunlight is reduced. Annual production estimates account for normal weather patterns.

Solar panels do not generate electricity without sunlight. At night, the home normally uses electricity from the utility or from battery storage if a battery is installed and configured to provide stored energy.

Most residential solar systems remain connected to the grid. The utility can provide electricity when solar production and available battery energy are not sufficient.

Your electric bill helps us understand your electricity use, utility, rate plan and seasonal consumption. Designing a system without reviewing actual usage can result in a system that is too small or unnecessarily large.

When available, 12 months of usage provides a better picture because electricity consumption can change considerably between seasons.

Homes with limited usable roof space may benefit from higher-output panels, while homes with more roof area may have additional options for panel wattage, layout and quantity.

Yes. Electric vehicles, pools, additional air conditioning, electric appliances and other future loads should be discussed before final system design.

Yes. Future battery plans can be considered when selecting equipment and designing the solar system.

A string-inverter system generally routes power from multiple panels to a central inverter. A microinverter system performs power conversion at or near each individual panel. Roof layout, shading, monitoring preferences, serviceability, battery architecture and project requirements can all affect which approach is appropriate.

The effect depends on the system architecture. With panel-level electronics such as microinverters or optimizers, a problem at one module is generally more isolated. A technician can use system monitoring and electrical testing to identify the specific issue.

Neither platform is automatically the best choice for every home. Enphase commonly uses panel-level microinverters and a modular energy ecosystem, while Tesla emphasizes integrated solar, battery storage and energy management. Roof layout, backup goals, existing equipment, future expansion, compatibility, system design and budget should all be considered before choosing a platform.

Not every homeowner needs battery storage. The decision depends on utility rates, nighttime use, outage concerns, backup goals and the value of storing versus exporting solar energy.

Whole-home backup is designed to support a broader range of household loads during an outage. Capability depends on battery quantity, output and the home's electrical demand.

Partial backup powers selected circuits such as refrigeration, lighting, internet, garage-door equipment and other important loads during an outage.

Many modern battery systems can support certain air-conditioning systems when properly designed. Whether yours can be backed up depends on the air conditioner's starting and running requirements, battery output, number of batteries and overall electrical design.

Runtime depends on how much energy is stored and how much electricity the home is using. Essential loads can generally operate longer than a home running multiple large appliances. Solar production during daylight may extend backup duration when the system is designed to recharge the batteries during an outage.

Many properly configured solar-plus-storage systems can continue producing solar and recharge batteries during an outage. The exact capability depends on the solar inverter, battery and backup-control architecture.

Often yes. Expansion depends on the battery model, system generation, electrical configuration, permitting, available equipment space and manufacturer compatibility. If future expansion is important, it is best to consider that during the original design.

Self-consumption means storing excess solar production and using that stored electricity later instead of immediately exporting it to the grid.

Load shifting stores energy during one time period and uses it during another—for example, storing daytime solar and using it during higher-cost evening periods.

We need to review your energy use, backup goals, outage concerns, major electrical loads, solar production and desired backup duration before recommending battery quantity.

Often yes. Compatibility depends on the existing solar system, electrical configuration, available space and battery equipment.

NEM stands for Net Energy Metering. California has used several generations of solar billing programs governing how solar customers receive credit for exported electricity.

NEM 1.0 and 2.0 generally provided export credits more closely tied to retail electricity rates. Today's Net Billing Tariff, often called NEM 3.0, uses separate export-credit values that can vary by hour, season and utility.

No. Current Net Billing export credits can vary based on when energy is exported and which utility or generation provider serves the property.

Battery storage may allow excess daytime solar to be stored and used later rather than exported during lower-value periods.

Yes. If a roof is near the end of its useful life, addressing roofing work before solar installation may prevent removal and reinstallation costs later.

Often yes, but roof condition and installation methods need to be evaluated for the property.

Often yes, subject to structural conditions, usable area, mounting requirements and applicable building rules.

California provides protections for residential solar, although HOAs may still have reasonable review requirements. Specific HOA requirements should be reviewed for the property.

The process typically includes a site survey, final design, permitting, installation, inspection and utility approval.

A site survey verifies roof conditions, electrical equipment, dimensions and other property information needed to finalize the system design.

Permit review is controlled by the local authority having jurisdiction. Review times vary by city and can be affected by plan corrections, fire-department requirements, workload and project complexity. A permitting delay does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the solar project.

Permission to Operate, commonly called PTO, is utility authorization for the interconnected solar system to operate under the applicable utility program.

Proactive Energy Solutions coordinates qualifying projects with qualified installation and EPC partners appropriate for the project and market.

Yes. Cash purchase may be available depending on the project.

Financing options may be available depending on homeowner qualifications, project requirements and current lender programs.

Review the cash price, financed amount, APR, payment, term, total payments, potential dealer fees, prepayment provisions and what happens if the property is sold.

With a lease or power purchase agreement, a third party generally owns the equipment and the homeowner pays under the terms of the agreement. Ownership and transfer rules differ from a purchased system.

Solar systems generally require relatively little routine maintenance, but homeowners should monitor performance and address equipment alerts or unusual changes.

Cleaning needs depend on weather, dust, debris and roof conditions. Normal rain may help in many areas.

Ask about solar-panel warranties, inverter or microinverter warranties, battery warranties, workmanship coverage and responsibility for service labor.

It depends on whether the system is owned, financed, leased or subject to a power purchase agreement. Each can have different payoff and transfer requirements.

Yes. Keep contracts, equipment information, warranties, permits, PTO documentation, financing records and installer information for your records and a future buyer.

Be cautious with claims suggesting solar has no cost. Solar may be purchased, financed, leased, or provided under another agreement. Always understand who owns the system and what financial obligations exist.

Important contracts and financing terms should be reviewed carefully. Do not allow high-pressure sales tactics to prevent you from understanding what you are signing.

California contractor-license information can be verified through the Contractors State License Board.

Yes. If something is important to your decision, it should be documented clearly in the written agreement.

Proactive Energy Solutions helps homeowners evaluate solar, battery-storage and related home-energy options and coordinates qualifying projects with installation partners.

No. Proactive Energy Solutions does not manufacture Enphase, Tesla, FranklinWH, Generac or other third-party equipment. Those brands and trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Yes. We can review your energy usage, property, utility, solar goals, backup needs and available options to help determine an appropriate direction.

Yes. Existing solar systems can be reviewed to determine whether battery storage may be compatible and appropriate.

Contact Proactive Energy Solutions and tell us what you are interested in. If you're considering solar or battery storage, having a recent electric bill or usage information available can help us begin the review.