Solar Panels — Fairfield, CA · PG&E Territory · Solano County
Fairfield Homeowners
Pay $371/Month
to PG&E.
Solar Fixes That.
At $0.40/kWh — 112% above the national average — Fairfield has one of the strongest solar ROI cases in Northern California
Sitting between Sacramento and the Bay Area, Fairfield homeowners absorb some of PG&E's highest residential rates in the state. Solar paired with battery storage under NEM 3.0 is the right answer — and the math has never been clearer for Solano County families.
$371/mo
Avg. PG&E bill
7–8 Years
Solar + battery payback
$183K+
Avoided over 25 years
$0 Down
Financing available
Travis AFB Community: Fairfield is home to one of the Air Force's largest bases. Many active duty, reserve, and retired military families own homes in Solano County and qualify for solar financing. We work with homeowners across the Fairfield-Suisun area — including veterans and military families.
Free estimate · No commitment · Results in 60 seconds · Serving Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville & Solano County
Why Fairfield
Three Reasons Fairfield Homeowners
Have a Strong Case for Solar
Fairfield's location between Sacramento and the Bay Area means homeowners absorb PG&E's highest-tier residential rates without the Bay Area income to match. At $371/month average, the savings case for solar is one of the clearest in Northern California.
The Highest Bills in the Region
At $0.40/kWh — 112% above the national average — Fairfield homeowners pay more per unit of electricity than most of the country. Every kilowatt-hour your solar system produces and you use is worth significantly more here than in lower-rate markets.
$0.40
per kWh
avg PG&E rate
avg PG&E rate
Strong Solar Production Year-Round
Fairfield sits in the Solano County corridor with consistent sun exposure and hot inland summers that drive high AC loads. High production plus high rates equals the strongest possible ROI combination — your system earns full value on every kWh it generates and you self-consume.
270+
sunny days
per year
per year
Stable Homeowner Community
Fairfield has a well-established homeowner base — including a large military and veteran community through Travis AFB — with long-term ownership timelines that make solar's 25-year savings picture especially relevant. Homeowners here aren't moving in two years. They're building equity and managing long-term costs.
$183K
avoided over
25 years
25 years
What Fairfield Homeowners Will Pay PG&E Without Solar
At 7% Annual Rate Increases — Starting From $371/Month
Based on $371/mo current average and 7% annual rate escalation — consistent with PG&E's historical rate increase pattern. Over 25 years that's more than $183,000 paid to PG&E — the bulk of it in the back half when rates compound hardest. A solar + battery system typically pays itself back in 7–8 years and produces free power for the remaining 17+.
Understanding Your Billing
NEM 3.0 in Fairfield —
What Changed & What Still Works
California's solar billing changed in April 2023. If someone told you "solar doesn't pencil out anymore" — that's an oversimplification. At Fairfield's $0.40/kWh rate, solar + battery still delivers strong returns under NEM 3.0. Here's what actually changed and why it matters for your home.
NEM 2.0 — Gone Since April 2023
The Old Way
Exported solar credited at full retail rate (~$0.30–$0.42/kWh)
Solar-only systems worked well — no battery required
No longer available to new customers
NEM 3.0 — Current Program
How It Works Now
Exported solar credited at avoided-cost rate (~$0.05–$0.08/kWh)
Self-consumed solar still offsets at full retail value
Battery storage maximizes self-consumption — the strategy that works
ACC Plus export adder for systems interconnected before Jan 1, 2027
The shift that changes everything at Fairfield's rates: Solar you export to PG&E earns ~$0.06/kWh. Solar you store in a battery and use yourself saves you the full $0.40/kWh retail rate. That's nearly a 7x difference in value per kilowatt-hour — and at Fairfield's above-average usage, the battery math is especially compelling.
What You Pay PG&E
$0.40
per kWh retail rate
Fairfield average
Fairfield average
NEM 3.0 Export Credit
$0.06
per kWh avg
sent to grid
sent to grid
Battery Self-Consumption Saves
$0.40
per kWh used
from your battery
from your battery
The Right Strategy for Fairfield
Solar + Battery — Built for NEM 3.0
Your panels produce excess power midday. Without a battery that energy goes to PG&E for $0.06/kWh. With a battery it stays in your home and gets used in the evening when the grid costs $0.40+/kWh. At Fairfield's rate level, that difference pays for the battery faster than anywhere with lower rates. Every system we build in Fairfield is solar + battery — that's not an upsell, it's the only configuration that fully solves the problem.
Your Options
Financing That Works for
Fairfield & Solano County Homeowners
Whether you want maximum upfront savings or prefer to start with zero out of pocket, we have options built for Fairfield homeowners. Every system we configure for this area includes battery storage — because under NEM 3.0, that's what makes the numbers work.
⭐ Best for Max Savings
Prepaid Solar Lease
30% Off Upfront — Own It in 5 Years
A third party claims the federal tax incentive and passes 30% off the total system cost directly to you at signing — no tax liability needed. After 5 years the system transfers to full ownership.
- 30% discount applied upfront — no tax filing required
- Full ownership transfers after 5 years
- Works without tax liability — ideal for retirees and fixed income
- Includes solar + battery system
$0-Down PPA Options
No Money Down — Pay Less Than PG&E
Go solar with zero upfront cost through a Power Purchase Agreement. You pay a fixed monthly rate for the power your system produces — typically lower than what you're currently paying PG&E — while the third party owns and maintains the system.
- $0 down — no large upfront payment required
- Fixed monthly solar payment below current PG&E rate
- No maintenance responsibility
- Available through Lightreach, GoodLeap, and EnFin
Honest Payback Context
A solar + battery system in Fairfield typically pays back in 7–8 years on a cash purchase. After payback, your system produces power for another 17+ years — that's 17+ years of free electricity against a PG&E bill that keeps climbing. At Fairfield's current $371/month average, the long-term math is compelling. The PPA and Prepaid Lease options change the upfront equation while still delivering monthly savings from day one.
Battery Storage — Included in Every Fairfield System
Three Industry-Leading Battery Options
Common Questions
Fairfield Solar
Questions Answered
Straight answers to what Fairfield and Solano County homeowners ask most before going solar. No runaround, no pressure.
Yes — and Fairfield's $0.40/kWh rate makes it one of the stronger NEM 3.0 markets in PG&E territory. Under NEM 3.0 the strategy has shifted from exporting to self-consuming, but the savings on every kilowatt-hour you use from your own system are higher in Fairfield than almost anywhere in the state because of the elevated rate. Paired with battery storage, the system captures that full retail value around the clock — storing midday solar and using it in the evening when the grid is most expensive. The payback on a cash purchase is typically 7–8 years, after which the system produces free power for another 17+ years.
The solar financing options available to you are the same as any Fairfield homeowner — and they're designed to work regardless of your income or tax situation. The Prepaid Solar Lease is particularly well-suited for military and veteran households because it requires no tax liability to capture the 30% discount. A third party claims the federal incentive and passes the savings to you upfront. If you're a retiree on fixed income or BAH, this structure works cleanly. The $0-down PPA options are also available if you prefer to start with no upfront cost at all. We'll run both scenarios during your free estimate so you can compare them side by side for your situation.
A typical solar + battery system for a Fairfield home runs approximately $50,000–$65,000 gross before financing. With the Prepaid Solar Lease, that cost drops by 30% upfront — bringing it to roughly $35,000–$45,000. With a $0-down PPA, your upfront cost is zero and you pay a fixed monthly rate instead. System size depends on your roof, usage, and how much of your bill you want to offset. We size every system for your specific home — not a generic template. Get your free estimate and we'll show you the exact numbers for your address.
From signed agreement to panels on your roof, the typical timeline in Fairfield is as little as 30 days, typically 30–45 days depending on Solano County permitting and PG&E interconnection scheduling. Physical installation takes one to two days. We handle all permitting, utility coordination, and interconnection paperwork — you don't need to manage any part of the process. We'll give you a realistic timeline specific to your address when we run your free estimate.
We serve Fairfield, Suisun City, Vacaville, and surrounding Solano County communities in PG&E territory. We also serve a wide range of Northern California markets including the greater Sacramento area, El Dorado Hills, Rocklin, Loomis, Folsom, Stockton, and Fresno. If you're in PG&E or SMUD territory, we can help. Start with a free estimate and we'll confirm service availability for your specific address.
Ready to see your Fairfield solar numbers?
Free estimate — no commitment, no pressure, results in 60 seconds.
Get My Free Estimate →
Free Estimate — No Commitment Required
Stop Paying $371/Month
to PG&E
Fairfield homeowners paying $0.40/kWh — 112% above the national average — have one of the strongest solar ROI cases in Northern California. Answer a few quick questions about your home and bill and we'll show you your financing options and estimated savings. Takes 60 seconds.
💡 $371/mo Avg Bill
·
🔋 Battery Included
·
💰 $0 Down Available
Solar With Watts · Serving Fairfield, Suisun City & Solano County · CSLB #1065773 (Solar Savings Direct)
✓No high-pressure sales
✓Real numbers for your home
⭐Military & veteran friendly