Independent information and referral site. Not a utility, contractor or government agency. Figures link to their sources. How we make money
Independent referral service · Sources cited · Updated September 2026
Compare California solar options against your actual bill and utility rate.
Sourced, dated and reviewed. California Rate Relief is an independent referral service — we cite public sources and connect you with a matched provider only when you ask.
Submission is not an approval, quote, or savings guarantee.
Request a residential review
California Rate Relief is a referral service. We are not a licensed contractor. California Rate Relief is compensated by a solar provider when a homeowner we refer signs an agreement. How we make money
Start with the question you have
California solar, answered from public sources
Cost and paying
- Solar panels in California
What a system costs per watt, how to size it and whether it pays back.
- Solar cost by city
What sets the price where you live: the utility, permit fees and local rules.
- Lease, PPA, loan or cash
The contract terms to compare before you choose how to pay.
- Solar incentives in 2026
What California still offers now that the federal credit has ended.
Companies and reviews
- Compare solar companies
What to check on license, scope and service before comparing proposals.
- Solar company reviews
Company records from BBB files, court dockets and company filings.
- Solar problems and scams
Contract red flags, dealer fees, liens and what to do when a job goes wrong.
Bills, rates and NEM
- Utility rate tracker
Sourced residential rates for PG&E, SCE, SDG&E and SMUD, checked against utility filings.
- Why California bills are high
What drives California rates, and what to check on your own bill.
- NEM 2.0 vs NEM 3.0
How export credits changed under net billing, and what that means for a new system.
- Community solar
When an off-site subscription fits better than rooftop panels, and the fees to check.
Batteries and your home
- Home batteries
Sizing, cost and backup basics for a home battery, apart from any sales pitch.
- Is your roof ready for solar?
Usable unshaded area, structure and remaining roof life: what to confirm before a quote.
- Solar panel maintenance
Cleaning, repairs, warranties and who to call when output drops.
Commercial
- Commercial solar
Build a comparable quote for a business, farm, school or multifamily property.
Recently updated
- Commercial Solar Cost in California: What You Pay (2026)Updated September 22, 2026
- What is NEM 3.0 in California? Start with the billUpdated September 22, 2026
- SDG&E Time-of-Use Rates: TOU-DR1 Peak Hours ExplainedUpdated September 22, 2026
- Sunrun Reviews (2026): Is It Still in Business?Updated September 22, 2026
How it works
Share the project. Review the actual terms.
California Rate Relief gathers the basics and connects the request with a solar provider for review.
Describe the property
Share the utility, typical bill, property status and contact information needed for an initial review.
Provider review
A matched provider can review roof, usage, utility territory and available project structures.
Compare written terms
Savings, ownership, financing, warranty and transfer terms depend on the provider's written proposal and contract.
Bill calculator
Start with your current bill.
Enter your average monthly power bill to see your current annual and five-year baseline.
This is current-dollar arithmetic, not a solar quote or forecast. A provider must model any project savings.
Common questions
Everything you want to know
Straight answers about the referral and review process.
What is California Rate Relief?
California Rate Relief is a private referral service. We collect basic residential and commercial solar project information and make it available for review by a matched solar provider.
Does submitting the form approve my project?
No. A submission is a request for review. It is not an approval, quote, contract, savings guarantee, or confirmation that a particular project structure is available.
What information does the residential form collect?
The residential form asks for the utility, bill range, homeowner status, a broad credit range, property address and contact information. A provider may need more information before discussing options.
Do commercial projects use the homeowner form?
No. Commercial projects use a separate assessment that asks about the company, property type and control, location, utility, bill range, project timing and contact information.
Who determines pricing, savings and contract terms?
The solar provider does. Pricing, savings, equipment, ownership, financing, warranty, production and transfer terms should be stated in the provider’s written proposal and contract.
Is California Rate Relief a government or utility program?
No. California Rate Relief is not a government agency or utility and is not affiliated with or endorsed by a government agency, utility or the CPUC.
What happens after I submit?
The information is saved for review. A matched provider may contact you about next steps. Any project decision should be based on the provider’s written proposal and contract.
How this site works
Information first
California Rate Relief is an independent information and referral site. The guides, source links, calculators and checklists can be used without submitting an inquiry.
Editorial policyHow the site is paid
When a California homeowner asks for help, the site refers them to a solar provider. It is compensated when a referred homeowner signs an agreement.
How we make moneyWhat it is not
It does not install anything. It is not a utility, a contractor or a government agency.
AboutWhere the numbers come from
Figures are drawn from primary sources — the IRS, the CPUC, the California Energy Commission, the utilities and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — and dated.
Sources we useMaterial corrections are logged, with dates, on the corrections page. How pages are researched is on the methodology page.
Primary trusted sources
Government, research, and standards bodies we routinely cite. We link out so readers can verify our claims at the source.
- California Contractors State License Board (CSLB)Public license records for every contractor in California. Used to verify C-46 solar license status, bond filings, disciplinary actions.
- CSLB License LookupDirect license search; confirms active status, bond, classification, and any disciplinary actions on file.
- California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)NEM 3 / Net Billing Tariff documents, IOU rate filings, solar interconnection rules.
- CPUC Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3)Authoritative source for NEM 3 / NBT compensation rules and updates.
- DSIRE — Database of State IncentivesComprehensive database of federal, state, and utility incentives for renewable energy. Maintained by NC Clean Energy Technology Center.
- IRS — Residential Clean Energy Credit (Form 5695)IRS guidance on the residential clean energy credit (Section 25D), which does not apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025.
- NREL — National Renewable Energy LaboratoryUS Department of Energy lab. Source of solar resource maps, panel efficiency data, and benchmark solar cost reports.