What changed under the Solar Billing Plan?
Since April 15, 2023, most new customers of California’s large investor-owned utilities have entered the Net Billing Tariff, often called the Solar Billing Plan or NEM 3. Electricity your home uses directly can reduce purchases from the grid. Excess electricity sent to the grid receives export credits that vary by time and are usually lower than retail electricity rates.
Six questions to answer before getting quotes
- How much electricity do you use—and when?
Review a full year, including seasonal peaks and time-of-use periods. - Will your usage change?
Plan for an EV, heat pump, air conditioning, home addition, or other major loads you realistically expect. - Is your roof ready?
Ask about remaining roof life, shading, orientation, penetrations, and the cost of removing and reinstalling panels later. - What do you want a battery to do?
Bill shifting and outage backup are related, but not identical design goals. - Which circuits must work during an outage?
A battery does not automatically power the whole home. Get the backed-up loads in writing. - How will you pay?
Compare cash price, financed price, interest, dealer fees, escalators, and total payments—not only a monthly figure.
Battery or no battery?
A battery may fit when…
You want backup for selected loads, use considerable electricity after sunset, or want to manage when solar energy is used.
Pause when…
The proposal never defines backup loads, usable capacity, warranty limits, or how the battery operates under your rate plan.
How to avoid a high-pressure decision
Never sign because an incentive is said to “expire tonight.” Ask for the complete contract and financing disclosure, verify the contractor’s license, and compare at least a few proposals using the same assumptions.