HOMEOWNER LEARNING CENTER
Learn solar at your pace.
START WITH THESE FIVE QUESTIONS
Southern California solar guides
How solar works under NEM 3.0 in California
Understand home use, exports and why your utility account matters.
Read the NEM 3.0 guideSolar lease vs. PPA vs. owning
Compare ownership, escalating payments and long-term contract costs.
Compare lease, PPA and ownershipHow much does solar + battery cost?
See what changes a written quote for your home and backup goals.
Understand solar and battery costsCash, credit union loan, HELOC or PACE?
Compare ownership, payment terms, security and sale considerations.
Compare financing optionsSix questions before you sign
Review the scope, price, utility estimate, service and contract terms.
Review the six-question checklistSTART WITH YOUR QUESTION
Six homeowner decision paths
Solar 101
Roof fit, system sizing, permits, installation and the questions to settle before signing.
Explore guidesCost & savings
See what drives project cost, expected savings and the difference between a payment and a price.
Explore guidesBatteries & backup
Plan outage coverage, compare capacity and power, and understand what a battery can realistically run.
Explore guidesFinancing
Compare cash, loans, leases, PPAs, HELOCs and PACE with the full obligation in view.
Explore guidesIncentives & utility rules
Find official program, utility-billing and rate-plan guidance without treating an estimate as approval.
Explore guidesOwning & maintaining
Understand warranties, monitoring, service responsibility, roof work and resale before they become urgent.
Explore guidesNATIONWIDE GUIDES
Popular homeowner research
Hidden Solar Financing Fees: What to Look for Before You Sign
Compare the written cash price, amount financed, APR, payment schedule, and total of payments before choosing an installer loan, bank, or credit-union offer.
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What It Costs to Run Your Air Conditioner
As of October 26, 2026, estimate AC cost from average electrical input, actual cooling runtime and the applicable marginal electricity rate—then separate usage charges from fixed bill items.
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You Own the House. But Who Controls Your Solar Panels?
Can a solar company shut down your panels if you never paid, stopped paying, or dispute a repair bill? Your rights depend on who owns the equipment and what you signed.
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How Many Solar Panels and Batteries Do You Really Need? Size It Right Before You Buy
Solar panels, battery storage and inverter sizing explained with winter-versus-summer examples, peak sun hours, practical calculations and a homeowner checklist. Learn how to avoid buying too much—or too little.
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Paying Over $50,000 for Solar? Read This Before You Sign
A $50,000-plus solar proposal is not necessarily a $50,000 solar-panel price. Separate the roof, electrical work, solar equipment, financing and real utility savings before signing. Includes an LADWP case study, official resources and questions that can save you money.
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Your Solar Warranty Says 25 Years. Who Pays for Repairs, Labor and Roof Access?
Solar warranties cover different promises: panel defects, production, inverter and battery equipment, installer workmanship, and sometimes labor. Before buying, identify exactly who pays for diagnosis, parts, shipping, roof access, and replacement labor.
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Solar + Battery: What You Really Need Before You Sign
Before accepting a solar quote, compare the real costs, right system size, battery storage, outage backup, incentives, approvals and long-term ownership. Includes a worked homeowner example.
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Buying a House With Solar? What to Verify Before You Inherit a Lease, Loan or PPA
Solar panels can be an asset—or an unexpected contract obligation. Before closing, identify who owns the equipment, whether a loan, lease or PPA transfers, its payment and buyout terms, system performance, and who pays for future service.
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GRID Alternatives DAC-SASH Eligibility: A Four-Gate Homeowner Checklist
A source-reviewed California checklist for DAC-SASH utility, home, geography and income eligibility, followed by document, roof, cost, ownership, warranty and interconnection decisions.
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Solar Lease vs. PPA vs. Loan: What Will You Really Pay Over 25 Years?
A loan usually means you own the system; a lease or PPA usually means a third party owns it. Compare the cash price, total payments, escalators, service duties, utility bill and home-sale terms—not just the opening monthly payment.
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Solar Inverter or Home Battery?
As of October 23, 2026, there is no responsible nationwide replacement price for a solar inverter or home battery. Diagnose the failure, confirm warranty scope, and compare complete installed quotes.
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Your Solar Company Went Bankrupt. Do You Still Have to Pay?
As of October 23, 2026, a solar installer's closure does not automatically cancel a separate loan, lease or PPA. Identify every responsible company, document project status and use the agreement's dispute process before changing payments.
Read guideNeed location-specific guidance?
Local content stays available when an actual utility, incentive, permit or climate condition changes the answer. It is separate from this nationwide guide library.