California Rate ReliefProgram
What goes wrong with solar, and why
Most complaints about solar are not about the panels. They come from how it was sold, what the contract actually said, and expectations nobody corrected. We do not install anything, so we have no reason to soften any of it.
Do I Still Get a Utility Bill With Solar? Yes — Here's What's On ItYes, most solar homes in California still pay a bill monthly. Here's what stays on it, why it swings by season, and what the annual true-up settles.Does Solar Mean Free Electricity in California?No. California solar offsets your usage, not your bill. Non-bypassable utility charges and fixed monthly fees keep arriving. Here's what stays, by utility.Is Free Solar in California Real?California has two genuinely free solar programs for qualifying homeowners. Everywhere else, $0 down means a loan, lease, or PPA, not a gift outright.The Hidden Costs of Solar in CaliforniaCalifornia solar hidden costs: panel upgrades, roof repair, trenching, permit fees, HOA rules, tree removal, and battery subpanels — with sources.Can You Run the AC All Day Once You Have Solar?Solar won't cover evening AC use under NEM 3.0. Panels produce least right as California utility rates peak at 4-9pm. The real cost, and what helps.Why Your Electric Bill Is Still High After Going SolarYour California solar bill is still high because of fixed charges, non-bypassable fees, and NEM 3.0 export rates, not necessarily a broken system.A California Solar Contractor Took Your Money. Here's What to Do.A California solar contractor took your deposit and stopped work. File a CSLB complaint, use the 3-day cancellation right, and get your money back.Solar Contract Red Flags in California: What the Disclosure Forms Are Supposed to CatchCalifornia requires two solar disclosure forms, a $1,000 down payment cap, and estimate-not-guarantee language. Here's what to check before you sign.Solar Dealer Fees: How the Low Rate Gets Paid ForA dealer fee can quietly add 10% to 30% to your solar loan without changing the advertised price. Here's how it works, and how to ask for the cash price.Door-to-Door Solar Sales in California: What the Rep Can Legally Do, and What to AskDoor-to-door solar reps must hold a CSLB HIS registration and are rarely the installer. Learn your 3-day cancellation right and what to ask before signing.The Solar Escalator Clause, ExplainedA solar escalator compounds 1-3% a year for 20-25 years. Worked cost examples, real CA utility rate history for comparison, and when a flat rate beats it.Solar Panel Degradation in California: What 25 Years Actually Looks LikeSolar panels in California lose about 0.3-0.5% output a year. Here's what your 25-year performance warranty actually covers, and what it doesn't.Solar Panels Not Producing Enough: The Diagnostic Order That Actually Finds the ProblemCalifornia solar underperforming? Check monitoring, shading, soiling and inverter faults in order, then learn how production guarantees actually pay out.Why California Solar Output Drops in Winter, and When It's Actually a ProblemCalifornia solar output drops 40-60% in winter from sun angle and day length. Netting absorbs it yearly -- here's when a drop signals a fault.Solar Sales Tactics in California: What Each One ObscuresSix solar sales tactics used in California, decoded: what each one obscures, the law that protects you, and the exact question that defuses it.The True-Up Bill in California, ExplainedYour solar true-up bill settles a full year of credits and charges at once. Here's how the 12-month reconciliation works, and how to avoid a shock.UCC-1 Liens and Solar Panels in CaliforniaA UCC-1 fixture filing secures your solar lease or loan against the equipment, not your house. Here's how it affects sale, refinance, and release.What a California Solar System Doesn't CoverCalifornia solar systems are sized to last year's electric usage only. Here is what a new EV, pool, ADU, or gas swap will not be covered by, and why.Why Solar Sales Reps Get a Bad NameSolar sales runs on straight commission and a licensing bar set at age 18, no experience required. That structure explains the reputation, not villainy.