Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, solar is worth it for most homeowners in California. The state’s high electricity rates, combined with over 250 sunny days a year in many areas, make solar energy an excellent option for reducing energy costs. Additionally, San Luis Obispo residents are offered strong solar incentives, including federal tax credits and rebates, which further increase savings.

Your solar savings will vary based on your current electric bill, your property’s sunlight hours, and the equipment & financing package you decide is best for your family and property. While our average residential solar installation saves over $50,000 we have also helped with projects which secure lifetime savings of over $250,000 and smaller projects which will still help homeowners avoid tens of thousands of dollars in unnecessary utility costs. 

Solar and battery rebates and incentives vary depending on a few factors. The most significant incentive is available nationwide — it is the 30% federal investment tax credit (ITC). This allows you to take 30% of the cost of your solar energy system and directly deduct it from your federal tax liability. There are additional incentives for businesses which go solar (MACRS & Bonus Depreciation). There is another rebate available through 3CE – a local utility provider, which provides thousands of dollars for homeowners who get backup batteries installed at their property.

Going solar reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change, and results in fewer air pollutants like sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health problems. In fact, studies have shown that each solar panel installed offsets nearly 900kG of CO2 emissions per year. This shows that by going solar, you are making an immediate and long term positive impact on the environment.

While your existing roof already has thousands of penetrations from nails and roofing materials, a solar installation typically requires only a few strategic penetrations that are carefully sealed and protected, ensuring minimal impact on your roof’s integrity.

We understand that oftentimes your roof protects your most valuable asset – everything inside of your home or business. Luckily, solar panels actually act as a protective layer, reducing direct sun exposure and extending roof life. 

Our site technician and engineers will assess your roof to determine if it is a viable candidate for solar, or if we recommend you get work done before installing panels. As we stand by our work, any project we agree to includes a lifetime roof penetration warranty.

Net Metering is the system utilities use to credit homeowners with solar for the electricity their solar panels produce. Net metering programs in California have evolved over the past few decades. Currently the net metering is labeled  Net Billing Tarrif or NEM 3.0, and has increased the savings potential of pairing your solar panel system with a battery. In fact, with our current billing, the payback period for a solar-plus-storage installation is now faster than for a solar-only install.

If you can afford to pay your electricity bill, you can afford to go solar. $0-down solar financing options, including both solar loans and solar leases, make it simple for homeowners with good credit to start saving on their electricity bills by going solar. Meet with our team to compare costs and savings available with multiple financing options.

By choosing solar with battery backup, you can keep your property running when the grid goes down.

The amount of power your solar energy system can generate depends on sunlight. As a result, your solar panels will produce slightly less energy when the weather is cloudy and will not produce electricity at night. Our design tool utilizes localized weather data to understand the real patterns in the Central Coast to determine realistic production estimates.

When you install a solar energy system on your property, you are going to pay less on your electricity bills and protect yourself against California’s rising electricity rates moving forward. Additionally, if you sell your property there are studies showing homes with solar sell for more money – meaning the money you put into solar translates into equity. Your specific savings and property value increases depend on your specific situation, and you will be able to easily find your personalized projected savings by speaking with our design team.

Solar loans and PPA’s(solar leases) each have advantages and disadvantages. Both options reduce your monthly electricity bills and your environmental impact, but each have different terms of agreements and benefits to you. We encourage you to watch our video discussing the difference between solar loans and PPA’s to assist in your decision making process.

Multiple studies have determined that homes with solar energy systems sell for more than homes without them. That being said, your property value will increase more if you own, rather than lease, your solar panel system. Going solar is shown to increase property value more than a simple kitchen renovation in California.

If you own your solar energy system, your solar house will sell at a premium – studies and have shown that solar increases property values, and previous clients have validated this through their experiences. Our team will provide assistance in transferring the loan or lease terms along with equipment monitoring credential’s to the home’s new owner.

The answer to this depends on your reasons for going solar. If you are interested in a proven investment vehicle and want to maximize the financial returns of your solar energy system, buying the system is likely the better decision for you. However, if you prioritize a simple, worry-free way to reduce your energy bills and help the environment, a solar lease will provide you a $0 down avenue to start saving money.

Solar panel systems are made of extremely durable glass designed to withstand significant weather conditions. The panels require little to no maintenance for the 25 to 35 years which they will generate power. For most home and business owners, you don’t even need to clean your solar panels regularly. At Original Energy, we provide lifetime workmanship warranties and partner with proven manufacturers which include equipment warranties.

There are a few important questions that we encourage everyone to consider when determining who is the best solar company.

Foremost, it is important to confirm the company you partner with is certified, licensed and insured, has relevant experience and can provide references. At Original Energy, we can assure you of all of these things and are happy to meet with you in person before signing an agreement to ensure you are comfortable working with us.

Other things to consider are how many years the company has been in business, workmanship & equipment warranties, and pricing / financing options. The best solar companies will provide clear expectations and address all of your questions.