Solar & battery questions, answered directly

NEM 3.0 is the common name for California's Net Billing Tariff. Since April 15, 2023, new rooftop solar customers of SDG&E, PG&E and SCE go on net billing, which credits the solar you send back to the grid at lower rates that change by hour. Using more of your own solar, often by storing it in a battery for the evening, matters more than it did under older rules.

A battery isn't required, but under net billing it often makes sense. A battery like Tesla Powerwall stores midday solar for the evening, when grid power is usually most expensive, and can provide backup power during outages if it's set up for that.

Powerwall 3 is Tesla's home battery. Tesla lists 13.5 kWh of usable energy per unit and a built-in solar inverter, and systems can be expanded with more units. It can store solar for later use and keep selected circuits powered during an outage.

Yes, if it's installed and configured for backup. It powers whatever circuits the design includes, which can be essential loads or more of the home depending on battery count and your usage. Solar can recharge it during the day.

Sunrun offers ways to own a system as well as subscription-style options where Sunrun owns and maintains it. Which options are available depends on your home and current program terms, and we'll go through them side by side at your appointment.

Federal rules changed in 2025. The residential clean energy credit that homeowners claimed for buying solar and batteries (Section 25D) doesn't apply to expenditures made after December 31, 2025. Systems owned by a company and leased to you are treated differently. We aren't tax advisors, so please confirm your situation with a tax professional.

It depends on your roof, your usage, how many batteries you want and which payment option you choose. We don't publish one-size-fits-all prices; you'll get a written proposal for your home after the appointment.

Generally no. California's Solar Rights Act stops HOAs from banning solar or imposing restrictions that significantly raise cost or reduce performance. An HOA can still require an application and reasonable conditions, and we'll help you prepare it.

The steps are a consultation, system design, a site survey, permitting, installation, inspection, and SDG&E permission to operate. Timing varies with permitting, HOA review and equipment, and we'll give you an expected timeline for your home at the appointment.

Yes, at reduced output. Panels still generate under cloud cover, and system designs use modeled production over a full year, so seasonal marine layer is already factored into the estimate.

Installation is performed by a California-licensed contractor (CSLB license number shown on this site). Your consultant, Bentley Ruff, is a registered California Home Improvement Salesperson (HIS #169108 SP) who sells on behalf of that licensed contractor and is not a contractor.

A Home Improvement Salesperson is registered with the California Contractors State License Board to sell home improvement work on behalf of a licensed contractor. You can look up any registration or license on the CSLB website at cslb.ca.gov.

We review a recent SDG&E bill, your roof and your goals (lower bills, backup power, or both), explain Sunrun and Tesla Powerwall options, and answer questions. There's no obligation to buy.

North County San Diego, including Carmel Valley (92130), Encinitas, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad.

Often, yes. Many Carmel Valley neighborhoods have HOAs that require architectural review before installation. Under California's Solar Rights Act an HOA can't prohibit solar or impose restrictions that significantly raise cost or reduce performance, but it can require an application and reasonable conditions.

The City of San Diego Development Services Department, because Carmel Valley is part of the City of San Diego. The installing contractor pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.

The City of Encinitas. The installing licensed contractor submits the permit and schedules the city inspection, and SDG&E gives final permission to operate.

It can. Panels produce less under cloud cover but still generate, and coastal summers usually clear by afternoon. Your proposal is based on modeled annual production for your specific roof, not a best-case day.

If it's installed and configured for backup, a Powerwall can power the circuits included in the design during an outage, and solar can recharge it while the sun is up. How long it lasts depends on how much you use and how many batteries you have.

The City of Poway. The installing licensed contractor handles the permit and inspection, and SDG&E grants permission to operate.

If your property is within the Rancho Santa Fe Covenant, exterior changes generally go through the Association's design review. California's Solar Rights Act still applies, so reasonable conditions are allowed but an outright ban isn't.

The County of San Diego Planning & Development Services, because Rancho Santa Fe is unincorporated. The installing licensed contractor pulls the permit.

The City of Carlsbad. The installing licensed contractor submits the permit and schedules inspection, and SDG&E issues permission to operate.

Under California's Solar Rights Act, an HOA can't prohibit solar or impose rules that significantly increase cost or reduce performance. It can require an application and reasonable conditions, such as panel placement guidelines.