See How Many Solar Panels
Your Home Actually Needs

Most California homes need between 10 and 24 solar panels depending on their monthly electricity bill and utility company. A home paying two hundred dollars per month to PG&E typically needs a 7 to 8 kilowatt system — around 18 to 20 panels at 400 watts each. Homes in SDG&E territory often need fewer panels because rates are higher, so the system pays off more aggressively. Use our free estimator above to get a count sized to your exact bill.

This estimator gives you a solid preliminary snapshot — not a final quote. It uses your actual utility rate, California peak sun hours for your territory, and a standard 85 percent system efficiency factor. The system size it returns is typically within 5 to 10 percent of what a site survey confirms. Roof pitch, shading, and panel placement can shift the final number. A free site survey from Solar With Watts confirms everything — no pressure, no obligation.

Yes — under California's NEM 3.0 rules, solar without battery storage leaves significant savings on the table. NEM 3.0 reduced the export rate for excess solar sent to the grid by roughly 75 percent compared to NEM 2.0. A battery lets you store that excess power and use it at night during peak rate hours instead of exporting it cheaply. Systems over 6.9 kilowatts should be paired with two batteries to fully capture your production. Use our Powerwall savings calculator to estimate your battery payback.

A PPA (power purchase agreement) or lease means a solar company owns the panels on your roof and you pay a lower fixed rate for the power they produce — typically saving 20 to 35 percent on your electricity costs with no upfront cost. Ownership through cash or a solar loan means you own the system outright and typically save around 80 percent on electricity costs after loan payments. Ownership builds equity and delivers higher long-term savings. A PPA is the right choice when upfront cost or credit is a barrier. Our estimator shows both options so you can compare.

The right battery depends on what you want it to do. Tesla Powerwall 3 is the best choice if you want whole-home backup power — it can keep your lights, HVAC, and appliances running during an outage. It stores 13.5 kilowatt-hours and integrates directly with your solar system. SolarEdge Energy Bank is the better choice if your primary goal is bill savings without full backup capability — it optimizes solar self-consumption under NEM 3.0 at a lower system cost. Our estimator recommends the right option based on your answer to the backup question.

The average installed cost of solar in California in 2026 is approximately 3.10 to 3.75 dollars per watt before incentives, according to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory data. A typical 8 kilowatt system runs between 25,000 and 30,000 dollars before any credits or financing. With a prepaid lease or PPA, your upfront cost is zero — the leasing company claims the federal 48E investment tax credit and passes the 30 percent savings to you as a lower rate. Use our solar savings calculator for a full cost breakdown specific to your utility territory.

Solar With Watts serves residential customers across California including PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD, and most POU territories. Our installation partner holds CSLB license number 1065773 and handles permitting, interconnection, and installation statewide. If you are unsure whether your city is in our service area, visit our service areas page for a full list of covered communities.

After you submit your free snapshot, Ed at Solar With Watts will reach out within one business day by phone or text to review your numbers. There is no pressure and no obligation. If the estimate looks good, the next step is a free virtual or in-home site survey that confirms your exact system size, roof layout, and final pricing. Most homeowners go from estimate to signed proposal in under a week. Call or text directly at (209) 216-8180 if you want to connect sooner.