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).

Trinity Solar Review 2026: Northeast Installer, Not a California Option

Trinity Solar is a large, privately held, family-owned residential solar installer founded in 1994 and headquartered in Wall Township, New Jersey. With approximately 2,000 to 3,000 employees, Trinity is one of the most established players in Northeast residential solar — operating primarily in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Because our audience is California-focused, we'll keep this review brief on the company profile and spend more time on where it fits (and doesn't fit) in the national installer comparison.

The Company

Trinity Solar is a second-generation family-run business that started as a solar water-heating contractor in 1994 and pivoted to photovoltaic installation as the residential market took off. It remains private and family-owned with revenue estimates in the mid-hundred-millions to low-billions range depending on source. The company focuses exclusively on the Northeast corridor and has not expanded meaningfully into the West Coast or Sun Belt markets.

Equipment and Installation

Trinity does not manufacture its own panels, inverters, or batteries. Panel sourcing is Tier-1 mix (varies by project and availability). Inverters are typically Enphase microinverters or SolarEdge string inverters. Batteries are third-party options when included. Installation is a blend of direct Trinity crews and partner crews depending on the project and market. Trinity is NABCEP certified and holds manufacturer-certified installer status for its primary equipment partners.

Typical install-to-PTO timelines in Trinity's Northeast markets run roughly 1 to 3 months, which is competitive for the region.

Financing

Trinity does not own its own financing product. Lease and PPA options are offered through third-party partners — including, historically, a financing partnership with Sunnova before Sunnova's 2025 bankruptcy. Loan financing is through standard third-party solar lenders. Cash purchase is always available.

Reputation

Trinity holds a BBB A+ rating. The BBB profile lists approximately 214 complaints closed in the prior three years, which is a moderate volume for a company of this size. SolarReviews and EnergySage composite ratings sit in the 3.2 to 3.8 range. The recurring themes across complaints are: communication gaps during longer-than-expected permitting or utility interconnection delays, slow post-install service response, and occasional billing disputes. Positive reviews generally praise the install day experience and the crews' professionalism.

There are no major active class-action lawsuits against Trinity as of 2026. Individual consumer complaints appear in normal volumes for a regional installer of this scale.

Warranty

Trinity offers 25-year equipment and workmanship warranties, consistent with industry standard. As a private company founded in 1994 with 30+ years of operating history, the balance-sheet confidence for long-duration warranties is reasonable — not as transparent as a publicly traded installer with quarterly disclosures, but meaningfully stronger than a newer or smaller regional player.

Why Trinity Probably Isn't in Your California Quote Set

Trinity focuses on the Northeast. The company doesn't have California operations in any meaningful volume, so if you're shopping solar in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, or anywhere else in California, Trinity is almost certainly not going to show up in your quote set — and if you did get a sales call from someone pitching Trinity Solar in California, that's worth double- checking, because the entity structure or licensing may not be standard.

For California residents evaluating installers in 2026, the right comparison set is companies that actually have California crews, California utility-interconnection relationships, and California post-install service infrastructure. See our Best Solar Companies in California guide for the current shortlist — Sunrun, Tesla Solar, Solar Optimum, and Semper Solaris are solid starting points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Trinity Solar serve California?

No, not in any meaningful capacity. Trinity operates primarily in the Northeast — New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. California homeowners should focus on installers that actually serve the state.

Is Trinity Solar a good installer if I'm in New Jersey?

In its Northeast footprint, Trinity is a reasonable mid-market choice. Family-owned, 30+ year operating history, BBB A+, competitive pricing. The most common criticism in reviews is post-install service response time. Get two or three competing quotes regardless of which installer looks best on paper.

What about the old Trinity-Sunnova financing partnership?

Trinity historically used Sunnova as a lease/PPA financing partner on some projects. Since Sunnova's 2025 bankruptcy, those legacy contracts transferred to SunStrong Management along with the rest of Sunnova's portfolio. New Trinity projects use other financing partners. See our Sunnova review for context on that bankruptcy.

Does Trinity Solar manufacture its own panels?

No. Trinity sources Tier-1 panels from multiple manufacturers depending on project and availability. In our California comparison, only Tesla and Qcells (the manufacturer behind Axia Solar) actually own their panel factories.