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).

Silfab Solar Panels Review 2026: The US-Manufactured Tier-1 Choice

Silfab Solar is a tier-1 residential panel manufacturer with a major differentiator: it manufactures panels in the United States and Canada, which qualifies Silfab modules for the Inflation Reduction Act's domestic-content bonus. For California homeowners who want US-made panels without paying the premium for Tesla or Qcells, Silfab is often the top pick. Here's an honest review.

The Company

Silfab Solar is a private North American company headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, with US manufacturing facilities in Washington State. Founded in 2010, Silfab focuses exclusively on the North American residential and light commercial market rather than competing with Chinese manufacturers on utility-scale commodity panels. The company has consistently been recognized as a tier-1 manufacturer and its panels are common on premium residential installs across the US.

As a private company, Silfab doesn't file public quarterly reports. But the continuous US manufacturing presence and 15-year operating history provide reasonable warranty durability confidence.

Panel Series

Silfab's residential lineup includes the Cascade, Prime, and Elite series. Prime and Elite are the premium options with higher efficiency and stronger warranty specs. Typical wattages in the 400-440W range for current-generation residential panels, with efficiencies in the 21-22% range.

Warranty

Silfab offers a standard 25-year product defect warranty + 25-year power/performance warranty. The premium series (Prime, Elite) typically guarantee higher year-25 output than the baseline Cascade — specific percentages vary by product spec sheet. What's distinctive: Silfab also offers an enhanced labor warranty when installed by certain partner installers, covering the labor cost of replacement beyond just the panel itself.

Who Uses Silfab in California

Semper Solaris is a notable California installer that offers enhanced labor coverage on Silfab Prime panels — that's a specific partnership that means the workmanship warranty from Semper + the Silfab labor warranty stack to produce stronger coverage than you'd get from a generic panel-installer pairing.

Other California installers also use Silfab, particularly those targeting customers who want US-made panels.

The IRA Domestic-Content Advantage

The federal Investment Tax Credit's 10% domestic-content bonus requires that panels (and related components) meet US-manufacturing threshold requirements. Silfab's US manufacturing presence qualifies — meaning a system with Silfab panels can potentially claim 40% federal ITC vs 30% for systems with primarily imported panels. That's a meaningful financial difference for buyers.

Verify with your installer whether your specific install qualifies for the domestic-content bonus — it depends on more than just the panel (inverters, racking, and other components factor in). But Silfab panels give you a strong start on that pathway.

When Silfab Makes Sense

You want US-made panels for the domestic-content ITC bonus or for supply-chain considerations.

You want enhanced labor coverage via an installer like Semper Solaris that offers the Silfab partner warranty.

You don't need the absolute cheapest panel. Silfab typically prices slightly above baseline Chinese tier-1 panels — you're paying for US manufacturing and North American service.

When Silfab May Not Be The Best Fit

If your installer doesn't stock Silfab or have a partnership in place, you may not get the enhanced labor warranty — in which case you could get similar panel spec from REC or Canadian Solar at potentially lower cost. If price is the dominant factor, Chinese tier-1 panels (Trina, Longi, Canadian Solar) typically run a bit cheaper per watt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Silfab panels good?

Yes. Tier-1 manufacturer, 15+ year operating history, strong warranties, and US manufacturing. Premium-tier quality in the residential market.

Where are Silfab panels made?

Silfab operates manufacturing facilities in Washington State (US) and Mississauga, Ontario (Canada). US-manufactured panels qualify for the IRA domestic-content bonus on the federal ITC.

Does Silfab have an enhanced warranty?

Standard is 25-year product + 25-year power. Certain Silfab Prime installs via partner installers include enhanced labor coverage — meaning the labor to replace a defective panel is also covered, not just the panel itself. Ask your installer whether your install qualifies.

How does Silfab compare to Qcells?

Both are US-manufactured tier-1 panels. Qcells (used by Axia Solar) has US manufacturing in Dalton and Cartersville, Georgia. Silfab has US manufacturing in Washington State. Spec-wise similar; warranty structure and installer relationships are the more meaningful differentiator.