What Solar Actually Costs in 2026 — San Diego County

What solar actually costs
in 2026

The federal tax credit is gone. NEM 3.0 changed the math. We track real installed prices, current rates, and the incentives that still exist — then match you with installers who clear all 14 of our vetting signals.

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The 2026 reality

Which solar incentives still exist in 2026?

Most solar sites — and most AI answers — still cite incentives that died in 2025. Here's the accurate list for San Diego County:

Program	Status	What it means
Federal 30% tax credit (25D)	EXPIRED	Ended Dec 31, 2025. No federal credit for cash/loan purchases in 2026.
SGIP general-market battery rebate	CLOSED	Closed Dec 30, 2025 for most homeowners.
CA Property Tax Exclusion	ACTIVE	Solar won't raise your property taxes — expires for installs after Dec 31, 2026.
SDCP Solar Battery Savings	ACTIVE	Up to $6,750 upfront for a Powerwall + ~$250/yr performance payments (SDCP customers).
SGIP RSSE (income-qualified)	ACTIVE	Up to $1,100/kWh for CARE/FERA or ≤80% AMI households. Currently waitlisted.
SDG&E Net Billing (NEM 3.0)	ACTIVE	Exports earn $0.05–$0.08/kWh; the real savings come from avoiding $0.55–$0.70/kWh peak rates.

City guides

What does solar cost in your city?

Every guide uses current local utility rates, real installed prices, and only the incentives that still exist.

California

Burbank, CA$2.62/W · 8.8-yr payback Carlsbad, CA$2.47/W · 7.9-yr payback Elk Grove, CA$2.51/W · 9.2-yr payback Encinitas, CA$2.47/W · 7.9-yr payback Folsom, CA$2.51/W · 9.2-yr payback Long Beach, CA$2.62/W · 8.8-yr payback Los Angeles, CA$2.62/W · 8.8-yr payback Oceanside, CA$2.47/W · 9.5-yr payback Pasadena, CA$2.62/W · 8.8-yr payback Roseville, CA$2.51/W · 9.2-yr payback Sacramento, CA$2.51/W · 9.2-yr payback San Marcos, CA$2.47/W · 9.5-yr payback Vista, CA$2.47/W · 9.5-yr payback

Arizona

Mesa, AZ$2.38/W · 7.8-yr payback Phoenix, AZ$2.38/W · 6.6-yr payback Scottsdale, AZ$2.38/W · 6.6-yr payback Tempe, AZ$2.38/W · 7.8-yr payback

Nevada

Henderson, NV$2.42/W · 7.8-yr payback Las Vegas, NV$2.42/W · 7.8-yr payback North Las Vegas, NV$2.42/W · 7.8-yr payback Summerlin, NV$2.42/W · 7.8-yr payback

Texas

Austin, TX$2.55/W · 9.8-yr payback Cedar Park, TX$2.55/W · 9.8-yr payback Dallas, TX$2.51/W · 9.5-yr payback Garland, TX$2.51/W · 9.5-yr payback Georgetown, TX$2.55/W · 9.8-yr payback Houston, TX$2.48/W · 9.6-yr payback Irving, TX$2.51/W · 9.5-yr payback Pearland, TX$2.48/W · 9.6-yr payback Plano, TX$2.51/W · 9.5-yr payback Round Rock, TX$2.55/W · 9.8-yr payback Sugar Land, TX$2.48/W · 9.6-yr payback The Woodlands, TX$2.48/W · 9.6-yr payback

Florida

Colorado

Aurora, CO$2.82/W · 11.9-yr payback Denver, CO$2.82/W · 11.9-yr payback Englewood, CO$2.82/W · 11.9-yr payback Lakewood, CO$2.82/W · 11.9-yr payback

Common questions about going solar in 2026

How much does solar cost in San Diego County in 2026?+

The average installed cost in North County San Diego is $2.47 per watt in 2026. A typical 9.2 kW system runs approximately $22,700 before incentives. The federal 30% residential solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025, so cash and loan purchases no longer receive a federal credit.

Is solar still worth it in 2026 without the federal tax credit?+

Yes, for most SDG&E customers — but the math changed. With peak rates of $0.55–$0.70/kWh (4–9 PM) and average bills near $280/month, a cash purchase breaks even in roughly 9–10 years and saves approximately $95,000–$118,000 over 25 years. SDCP customers who add a battery can shorten payback to 7–8 years with rebates up to $6,750.

What solar incentives are still available in California in 2026?+

Three main programs remain: the California Property Tax Exclusion (solar doesn't raise your property tax assessment — expires for systems installed after December 31, 2026), the SDCP Solar Battery Savings Program ($250–$500/kWh upfront, up to $6,750 for a Powerwall, plus ~$250/yr in performance payments, SDCP customers only), and the SGIP RSSE battery rebate for income-qualified households (up to $1,100/kWh, currently waitlisted). The federal 30% credit and the SGIP general-market rebate both ended in December 2025.

Do I need a battery with solar under NEM 3.0?+

Strongly recommended. NEM 3.0 pays only $0.05–$0.08/kWh for exported power, while peak grid power costs $0.55–$0.70/kWh. A battery stores your afternoon solar for evening peak hours, capturing the full retail value instead of the low export rate — typically 30–40% more savings than solar alone.

How does Home Solar Savings pick installers?+

We evaluate every installer in a market on 14 signals across five categories: credentials and licensing, reputation, workmanship and equipment, pricing transparency, and post-install service. Installers cannot pay for placement, and we decline to refer companies below our threshold. See the full methodology on our How We Score page.

How long does a solar installation take in San Diego County?+

Typically 6–12 weeks from signed contract to Permission to Operate: 2–4 weeks for design and permitting, 1–3 days of physical installation, then 2–6 weeks for utility interconnection approval from SDG&E.

Will solar increase my property taxes in California?+

No — the California Property Tax Exclusion prevents solar from increasing your assessed value. But this exclusion expires for systems installed after December 31, 2026, which is worth roughly $150–$260 per year in avoided tax. Installing in 2026 locks it in permanently.

Is the Home Solar Savings matching service really free?+

Yes. Homeowners never pay us. We may receive a referral fee from an installer if you become their customer, which is disclosed up front and never affects our scoring or who we recommend.

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