SCE and LADWP rates up 40% in 5 years — and another hike is coming.
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Trusted by 10,000+ California Homeowners

See What Solar Actually Costs in California And What You'll Save

Factory-direct Qcells panels. 50–80% bill reduction.
6–8 year payback. No pressure, no gimmicks.

  • 200+ Five-Star Google Reviews
  • 25-Year Panel + Workmanship Warranty
  • Qcells — #1 Residential Solar Panel in the U.S.

Your Free Solar Savings Estimate

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Homes Powered by Solar
500 +
Avg. Electric Bill Reduction
50- 60 %
Avg. Cash Purchase Payback
6- 6 Years
Property Tax Increase (CA Exclusion)
$ 500

Going Solar So Much Easier for You!

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US Power is a licensed California solar contractor and authorized Qcells sales partner — which means factory-direct panel pricing with no distributor markup. We’ve helped more than 10,000 California homeowners understand the real numbers behind going solar: true system costs, honest payback timelines, and which financing option actually makes sense for their situation.

California utility rates rose 40% in 5 years. Every month you delay going solar costs the average homeowner $100–$200 in avoidable electric bills.

#1 Solar Company

#1 Residential Solar Panel

Higher efficiency = more savings per square foot of roof

Manufactured in USA

Assembled in the USA

Avoids import tariff exposure that's raising competitor prices in 2026

25 Year Warranty

25 Year Warranty

Panels, performance, and workmanship — so your payback math holds

How It Works

From Estimate to Installation in 3 Simple Steps

Going solar shouldn’t be complicated. Our process is designed to give you real numbers fast — no pressure, no gimmicks.
Request Your Free Consultation
Tell us your address and monthly electric bill — that’s all we need to get started. A US Power solar consultant calls you within 1 business day to walk through your personalized savings estimate, with no obligation to move forward. ✓ No-obligation call within 1 business day.
  • Response within 24 hours
Custom System Design
We use satellite imagery, your utility bill history, and NEM 3.0 rate schedules to design a system precisely sized for your home. You’ll see exactly how much you’ll generate, what you’ll store, and what each means for your monthly bill. ✓ Real numbers, not ballpark estimates.
  • Right-sized for your home
We Manage Everything
US Power manages all permits, Axia-certified installation, and utility interconnection from start to finish. You don’t lift a finger — and most homes are fully installed in 1–2 days. We handle the paperwork. You watch your bill drop.
  • Full project management
Pricing Table

California Solar Costs by System Size

Costs based on US Power project data, Q1 2026. Ranges reflect variation in panel brand, inverter type, roof type, and local permit fees. Payback assumes a solar + battery system under NEM 3.0 at current SCE/LADWP rates. Individual results vary.
System Size Avg. Monthly Bill Cash Purchase Cost Est. Monthly Savings Est. Annual Savings Payback Period 25-Year Net Savings
5 kW $100–$150 $14,000–$19,000 $50–$90 $600–$1,080 6–10 years $18,000+
8 kW $150–$250 $22,000–$30,000 $75–$150 $900–$1,800 6–10 years $35,000+
10 kW $250–$350 $28,000–$37,000 $125–$210 $1,500–$2,520 7–9 years $50,000+
13 kW $350–$500+ $36,000–$48,000 $175–$300 $2,100–$3,600 7–9 years $70,000+

💡 All system sizes above can be financed. Lease and PPA options start at $0 down and may be cash-flow positive from month one. Ask your consultant to model the buy vs. lease comparison for your situation.

Not Sure How Much You'd Save? Run the Numbers in 60 Seconds.

Our solar savings calculator uses your monthly electric bill, your ZIP code, and current California utility rates to estimate your system size, upfront cost, monthly savings, and payback timeline — before you talk to anyone.

Calculate My Solar Savings →
Why Choose Us?

Why California Homeowners Choose Axia through US Power

US Power is an authorized Axia and Qcells partner with direct factory access — no distributor markup. Qcells panels are American-made, tier-1 rated, and backed by a 25-year product warranty.

Qcells Factory-Direct Pricing

As an official Qcells factory representative, US Power bypasses distributors and passes wholesale pricing directly to homeowners. Lower upfront costs mean faster payback — even without the ITC.

6–10 Year Payback on Cash Purchase

With California's high electricity rates (30–32¢/kWh) and rising every year, a cash solar purchase makes sense. Typical California homeowners break even in 6 years or less. After payback, you're generating free electricity for the remaining 18+ years.

Battery Storage + SGIP Rebates

Every system includes battery storage. Under California's NEM 3.0 policy, solar-only systems no longer make financial sense. We design for real and more savings, considering your daily needs, not just panel count.

No Property Tax Increase

California law excludes solar from property tax reassessment when you go solar. With Axia, QCells, and US Power. You get 3–4% increased home value without paying more in property taxes and reassessment fees. We will handle everything for you.

Ready to See Your Real Numbers?

Fill out the form and a US Power Energy Consultant will call you within 1 business day with a custom solar proposal.
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What Happens Next?

Instant confirmation

Get immediate confirmation

Expert review

We analyze your property

Custom proposal

Receive detailed assessment

Why Work with US Power?
  • Factory-direct Qcells Pricing
  • 10,000+ Satisfied Customers
  • 25-year Warranty Included
  • Free Site Assessment
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Homeowner Stories

200+ Five-Star Google Reviews — Here's What Homeowners Say

Over 200 California homeowners have shared their experience. Here are a few of the ones that stuck with us.
Stan S.
Stan S.
★★★★★
Excellent job getting it done. At the last minute and in the rain no less. The installation crew did a great job. Thanks to Axia and US Power Solar including Erik and the whole crew.
Lin D.
Lin D.
★★★★★
US Power is absolutely the best! The entire process was smooth from beginning to end. They guided us every step of the way and made sure we understood everything clearly. The project was fast, easy, and perfectly organized!
Dena P.
Dena P.
★★★★★
Great experience from start to finish. The team provided excellent customer service and clear, consistent communication throughout the entire process including the sales team and installation team. They were responsive, professional, and made everything easy to understand. Highly recommend.
Jonathan R.
Jonathan R.
★★★★★
After years of thinking about going solar I finally did it. I very happy with my solar panels the team that designed my project and the installation team. Everything is working perfectly and it’s very easy to check how my panels are producing through the app.
Bobby K.
Bobby K.
★★★★★
Great experience with sales, installation and after sale services. Customer service is responsive and very helpful. I strongly suggest you work with this company.
Leah L.
Leah L.
★★★★★
We had an excellent experience with US Power. Everything was completed exactly as promised and on schedule. The entire team was highly supportive and responsive whenever we had questions or concerns. Thank you for making the process smooth and efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions

Your 2026 California Solar Cost & Savings Questions

The solar landscape changed in 2026. Here are honest answers to the most common questions California homeowners are asking. Call (818) 650-8010 for personalized guidance.

How do I know if the solar savings estimate is accurate?
The savings in your estimate are based on three real inputs: your monthly electric bill (which determines system size), your installation address (which determines roof orientation, shading potential, and local utility rates), and current California NEM 3.0 rate schedules. Where estimates vary from reality, it’s typically due to roof shading not visible in satellite imagery or energy usage changes after installation — like adding an EV. Your US Power consultant reviews all of these during the consultation before any proposal is made.

Yes — and here’s why. California has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation at 30–32¢ per kWh, and rates have climbed over 40% in just the last five years. Even without the 30% ITC (which expired for residential systems on December 31, 2025), most Southern California homeowners save $100–$250 per month and see a full return on their investment within 7–10 years for purchased systems. With solar lease or PPA options ($0 down), many homeowners pay less from month one than their current utility bill. The math still works — it just requires choosing the right financing structure.

Residential solar in California costs approximately $2.50 to $3.50 per watt installed. A typical 8kW system costs between $20,000 and $28,000. While the federal residential tax credit is no longer available, Qcells factory-direct pricing through US Power keeps costs lower than the industry average. Additionally, $0-down financing, solar leases, and PPAs make solar accessible without large upfront costs. Solar lease and PPA providers can still access the commercial tax credit (Section 48E) through 2027 and pass those savings through to homeowners via lower monthly rates.

While the federal residential solar tax credit (Section 25D) expired at the end of 2025, several valuable incentives remain. California’s property tax exclusion ensures your solar installation won’t increase your property taxes. The SGIP program provides battery storage rebates, with higher rebates for homes in high-fire-risk areas and low-income households. Net Billing (NEM 3.0) provides credits for excess energy sent to the grid. PACE financing allows $0-down solar tied to your property tax. And importantly, solar leases and PPAs still access the commercial ITC (Section 48E), with providers passing savings through as lower monthly rates for homeowners.
For purchased systems without the federal credit, most California homeowners see full payback in 7–10 years, depending on system size, electric bill, and roof orientation. After payback, you enjoy 15–18 years of near-free electricity under the 25-year panel warranty. With a solar lease or PPA ($0 down), savings begin immediately — your monthly solar payment is typically lower than what you were paying the utility. The payback is essentially instant because you’re spending less from day one.
This is the key question in 2026. Purchasing (cash or loan) gives you the highest total savings over 25 years and adds the most home value — but without the federal credit, the upfront cost is higher. A solar lease or PPA requires $0 down and can still benefit from commercial tax credits (Section 48E through 2027), which providers use to offer lower rates. For many homeowners, a lease or PPA is the best 2026 option because you start saving immediately with no upfront investment. A US Power consultant can model both scenarios for your specific situation to help you decide.
Under California’s Net Billing Tariff (which replaced NEM 2.0 in April 2023), excess solar energy exported to the grid is credited at a lower “avoided cost” rate — roughly 25% of retail price — that fluctuates by time of day. This means simply exporting excess energy isn’t as valuable as it used to be. The solution: battery storage. By storing your excess daytime solar and using it during expensive peak evening hours (4–9 PM), you avoid buying expensive grid electricity and maximize your savings. This is why nearly 60% of new California solar installations now include batteries.
In California in 2026, battery storage is strongly recommended — and almost essential for maximizing your savings. Under Net Billing, storing energy for evening use is 3–4x more valuable than exporting it. Batteries also provide critical backup power during grid outages and PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) events, which are increasingly common. California’s SGIP program offers rebates on battery installation, especially for homes in high-fire-risk zones, low-income households, and medical baseline customers. A typical home battery (5–15 kWh) can power essential circuits for 8–12 hours during an outage.
Yes. Research from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Zillow shows that solar panels increase a home’s value by approximately 3–4%. For a $700,000 California home, that’s $21,000–$28,000 in added value. California’s property tax exclusion is a significant bonus here — the added value from your solar system won’t trigger a property tax reassessment, so you get the equity benefit without higher annual taxes. Note: owned solar systems add the most value; leased systems may complicate a sale since the buyer must qualify to assume the lease.

US Power serves homeowners throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Ventura County, and surrounding areas. This includes cities like Los Angeles, Encino, Pasadena, Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, Long Beach, Irvine, Anaheim, Riverside, and many more. Visit our service areas page for a complete list.

Yes — that’s exactly what our solar calculator is for. Enter your monthly bill and ZIP code to see a side-by-side breakdown of cash purchase, solar loan, lease, and PPA options — including upfront cost, monthly payment, total 25-year savings, and payback timeline for each.

Every Month You Wait, You're Paying SCE or LADWP Twice What You Should.

California utility rates have climbed over 40% in the past five years, and both SCE and LADWP have rate increases pending for 2026 and 2027. The average homeowner who delays solar by 12 months loses $1,200–$2,400 in electricity costs that solar would have offset — on top of the 25-year savings clock not starting. The best time to go solar was before the last rate hike. The second-best time is before the next one.

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Disclosure: Axia Estimate provides solar cost and savings estimates for informational and planning purposes. Installation services are provided by US Power, a licensed California solar contractor. Savings estimates reflect current SCE and LADWP utility rates, system specifications, and available incentives as of Q1 2026. Individual results will vary based on roof orientation, shading, energy usage, and financing structure.

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