— EV Charging · Northern California

Continuum Solar Frequently Asked Questions

Need information before starting your project? Browse our solar installation FAQs to learn more about our process, equipment, and how we help homeowners gain energy independence.

— FAQ —

Frequently asked questions

How much does solar cost in Northern California in 2026?

Most residential solar systems in our service area range from $18,000 to $32,000. The final cost depends on your energy usage, roof characteristics, and whether you choose to add battery storage. We provide fixed-price quotes, so you never have to worry about surprise change orders.

Is solar still worth it under NEM 3.0?

Yes, but the math is different. Under NEM 3.0, grid exports are credited at approximately 25% of the retail rate, making it almost always financially advantageous to pair solar with a battery. We can use our Northern California payback calculator to run the numbers for your specific utility bill.

What brands do you install?

Panels: REC, Silfab, SunPower Maxeon, Qcells, Panasonic, Canadian Solar. Inverters: Enphase, SolarEdge. Batteries: Tesla Powerwall 3, FranklinWH aPower 2, Enphase IQ 10C. Racking: IronRidge, Unirac, SnapNrack.

How long does the install take?

Most residential systems are installed in 1-2 days on-site. The full timeline from signed contract to Permission to Operate (PTO) is typically 4-8 weeks depending on your utility and county.

What utilities do you work with?

PG&E across most of our service area, SMUD in the City of Sacramento, Roseville Electric in Roseville, and MID (Modesto Irrigation District) where applicable. Each has different interconnection rules and we know them.

How long does the full process take from first call to PTO?

Typical residential timeline is 6-10 weeks. Breakdown: 1 week from call to signed quote; 2-3 weeks for design + permit submission; 1 week permitting (faster with SolarAPP+); 1-2 days install; 1-3 weeks utility PTO.

What counties and cities do you serve?

Primary service area: Sacramento, Solano, Napa, Contra Costa, Yolo, Placer, San Joaquin. Also Marin, Sonoma, El Dorado by project. See locations for the full list of 30+ cities.

Is there still a federal solar tax credit?

The 30% federal homeowner credit (the Residential Clean Energy Credit, Section 25D) ended for purchases after December 31, 2025, so new cash and loan purchases no longer qualify for a federal tax credit. Federal clean-energy value is still available through third-party ownership: with a lease, PPA, or subscription, the system’s owner claims the federal credit and that value is reflected in your monthly rate. We’ll walk through the current federal, state, and utility incentives that apply to your project during your consultation. We do not give tax advice – please consult your tax professional about your specific situation.

Are there state or local incentives?

In PG&E territory, battery rebates are now mostly restricted to the Equity Resiliency program for specific households, as standard SGIP funding is largely unavailable. California no longer offers state-level solar rebates, making the Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0) the primary incentive by prioritizing self-consumption. Some cities further reduce costs through fee waivers or expedited SolarAPP+ permitting.

What's your warranty?

10-year workmanship warranty on our install labor. Panels: 25-40 year manufacturer warranties depending on brand. Inverters: 25 years (Enphase microinverters), 12-25 years (string inverters). Batteries: manufacturer warranties of 10 years for the Tesla Powerwall 3 and 15 years for the FranklinWH aPower 2 and Enphase IQ Battery 10C. Manufacturer warranties are transferable to future homeowners.

Do you do rentals or leases?

We offer leases through qualifying finance partners, but 85%+ of our residential jobs are cash or loan. Leases make sense only for homeowners with no tax liability.