From sunlight on your roof to power in your kitchen.
A home solar system has four main parts and one big rule from your utility. Once you understand both, you can judge any solar quote yourself.
The four parts of a home solar system
1. Solar panels
Panels on your roof turn sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity. Modern residential panels are around 400–450 watts each; a typical California home needs 15 to 22 of them.
2. Inverters
Your home runs on alternating current (AC). Microinverters (one per panel) or a central string inverter convert the DC power so your outlets can use it.
3. Battery storage
A home battery stores extra midday solar for the evening and keeps essential circuits powered during an outage.
4. Monitoring & your utility meter
An app shows what your panels produce each hour. A bi-directional meter tracks power you pull from and send to the grid.
NEM 3.0 in one minute
California's Net Billing Tariff (often called NEM 3.0) applies to new solar customers of PG&E, SCE and SDG&E. It was upheld in court and the California Supreme Court declined review in June 2026, so it's the rule going forward.
Power you use yourself
Every kWh your home uses straight from your panels or battery saves you the full retail rate, roughly 35–45¢.
Power you send back
Exported power earns an hourly credit that averages only about 4¢ per kWh, higher on some summer evenings.
What that means
Design for self-use. A right-sized system with a battery usually beats a big system that exports most of its power.
Read our full NEM 3.0 explainer → · LADWP, SMUD and other municipal utilities have their own rules. Ask us about yours.
What working with MyPowerCo looks like
We compare proposals from multiple vetted, licensed installers, help you pick the best one, and manage the project for you from start to finish.
Consultation
Share 12 months of bills (or connect your utility account). We review usage, roof, shade and your electrical panel.
Day 1Design & quote
You get a roof layout, equipment list, production estimate and an itemized price for panels-only and panels-plus-battery.
2–5 daysSite survey
The installer's technician confirms roof condition, rafters, attic and panel. If your roof needs work first, we'll tell you.
Week 1–2Permits & install
Your installer files permits and the utility application, then installs in one to two days. We keep everything on track.
Week 2–8Inspection & PTO
The city inspects, the utility grants permission to operate, and we walk you through your app.
Week 6–12
Good signs your home is ready for solar
- Your electric bill averages $150 a month or more
- You have south-, west- or east-facing roof space with little afternoon shade
- Your roof has at least 10 years of life left (or you're planning to replace it anyway)
- You plan to stay in your home five years or more
- You're adding an EV, heat pump or pool, or you want backup power
Missing one or two? Solar may still make sense. Ground mounts, carports and battery-only systems are options. Ask us.
See what your roof could produce.
Send us your last electric bill. We'll design a system for your home, show you the real numbers with and without a battery, and give you a written quote you can compare against anyone else's.