Continuum Solar — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions homeowners actually ask us. If you have one we haven’t covered, call and we’ll answer honestly — including when the honest answer is ‘don’t do solar yet.’
— FAQ —
Frequently asked questions
How much does solar cost in Northern California in 2026?
Most residential solar systems in our service area run $18,000–$32,000 before the 30% federal tax credit. The final number depends on your usage, roof, and whether you add battery. We quote fixed prices — no surprise change orders.
Is solar still worth it under NEM 3.0?
Yes — but the math is different. Under NEM 3.0, exports to the grid are credited at roughly 25% of retail, so pairing solar with a battery is almost always the right financial move. Our Northern California payback calculator runs the numbers for your specific 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.
What's the 30% federal solar tax credit?
The Residential Clean Energy Credit is a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit worth 30% of your solar + battery installed cost. Available through 2032, then stepping down. We give you the IRS Form 5695 paperwork at PTO.
Are there state or local incentives?
In PG&E territory, SGIP offers battery rebates at the Standard or Equity Resiliency tiers. Some cities offer streamlined permits (SolarAPP+) or minor fee reductions. There’s no longer a state-level solar rebate — NEM is the main state mechanism.
What's your warranty?
Lifetime workmanship warranty on our install labor. Panels: 25–40 years manufacturer (depending on brand). Inverters: 25 years (Enphase), 12–25 years (string). Batteries: 10–15 years depending on brand. All 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.