How does the California Rate Relief Program work?

We install solar panels on your roof at no cost out of pocket. Instead of paying your utility company a different amount every month, you pay a fixed monthly payment that is typically 30 to 50% less than what you are currently paying. The program covers 100% of the cost for solar panels, backup batteries, and installation.

Who qualifies for the Rate Relief Program?

California homeowners with SCE, PG&E, or SDG&E as their utility provider, monthly electric bills of $150 or more, and a credit score of 650 or above typically qualify. Renters are not eligible for this program.

Is there any cost to the homeowner?

There is $0 out of pocket cost. The program covers the full cost of solar panels, battery storage, and professional installation. Instead of paying your utility company, you simply pay a lower, fixed rate for the power generated by the system on your roof.

What happens if something breaks?

The program includes a comprehensive 25-year bumper-to-bumper warranty. If a panel breaks, it gets fixed. If an inverter fails, it gets replaced. All maintenance and repairs are covered at no cost to you for 25 years.

Which utility companies are supported?

The program currently supports homeowners with Southern California Edison (SCE), Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Moreno Valley Utility (MVU), and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).

Solar Panel Brand Reviews for California Homeowners (2026)

Your California installer will propose a specific solar panel brand — and that choice matters. Panel reliability, efficiency, warranty depth, and long-term company solvency all differ between tier-1 manufacturers. These reviews cover the panel brands most commonly installed in California in 2026, what makes each one distinct, and which California installers tend to use them.

Short version: most tier-1 panels in the current market produce similar output and carry similar 25-year warranties. The bigger differences are the manufacturer's financial stability (will they exist in year 20 to honor the warranty?), their US manufacturing presence (matters for IRA domestic-content bonuses), and how they pair with specific inverter brands.

What to Look For in a Solar Panel Brand

Company solvency. A 25-year warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Public companies file quarterly reports you can read. Private companies vary. After multiple installer bankruptcies in 2024-2026, panel-manufacturer financial health matters more to buyers than ever.

US manufacturing. The federal ITC's domestic-content bonus (up to 10% additional credit on top of the 30% base) requires panels meet domestic-content thresholds. Silfab, Qcells (via Axia Solar), and Tesla have US manufacturing footprints. Trina, Canadian Solar, REC, Jinko, and Longi primarily manufacture overseas.

Warranty structure. Standard is 25-year product (defect) + 25-year performance (power warranty). The year-25 guaranteed output level varies by panel: tier-1 baseline is roughly 80-85%; premium panels (Qcells, REC Alpha, Silfab) guarantee 86-92%+ at year 25.

Efficiency. Modern tier-1 residential panels run 20-22% efficiency. A 2-3 percentage-point efficiency difference translates to 5-10% more annual production from the same roof area. Matters most if roof space is limited.

Your installer's relationship. Some installers have strong partnerships with specific panel brands (supply agreements, enhanced labor warranties, etc.). Semper Solaris for example offers enhanced labor coverage on Silfab panels. That kind of partnership is worth more than a small spec difference.

Solar Panel Brand Reviews for California Homeowners

Panel Brand Reviews

Trina Solar

Silfab Solar

REC Solar

Canadian Solar

What to Look For in a Solar Panel Brand

Get Quotes With Multiple Panel Options