Solar proposals can look “complete” while still leaving out the details that drive real-world performance and long-term value. If you’re a homeowner in Dublin, California (or nearby Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, Castro Valley, or Fremont), this guide will help you compare solar quotes with confidence—focusing on energy independence, rate protection, and battery-ready electrical design.
Note: California’s legacy Net Energy Metering (NEM) programs are closed to new enrollments. Since April 15, 2023, most new residential interconnection applications fall under the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), which changes how exports are credited and makes “solar + battery” planning more important than ever.
At Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions, we review proposals every week—from homeowners who want a second opinion, to clients planning solar, battery backup, EV charging, or a main/sub-panel upgrade. The biggest wins usually come from reading the proposal like an engineer would: verifying assumptions, checking electrical scope, and making sure the system is designed for your actual usage patterns (not a generic template).
1) Start with the “Big 5” pages of any solar proposal
When you open a solar quote, don’t get stuck on the glossy cover page. Look for these five components (and ask for them if they’re missing):
A. System size (kW DC) & equipment list — Panels, inverter(s), batteries (if any), and racking should be specific models, not “or equivalent.”
B. Annual production estimate (kWh/year) — This is the backbone of savings estimates. You should also see a monthly production chart.
C. Design assumptions — Roof plane, azimuth (direction), tilt, shade modeling, and any obstructions.
D. Electrical scope — Tie-in method, new sub-panel if needed, main panel upgrade notes, breaker sizes, and whether a critical-loads panel is included for batteries.
E. Warranty + service plan — Manufacturer warranties are one thing; workmanship and service responsiveness are another—especially if you want local support for troubleshooting later.
2) Understand California’s “Net Billing” reality: self-consumption matters
Under the Net Billing Tariff (NBT), you still use your solar production in real time to offset what you’d otherwise buy from the utility. However, the way exported energy is credited is different than classic NEM structures, and the tariff is designed to encourage pairing solar with storage and better load management.
What this means for reading proposals:
Look for a savings model that matches your usage patterns (daytime vs. evening load, EV charging time, work-from-home schedules).
Ask how the design improves self-consumption (battery sizing, TOU strategy, shifting EV charging, smart load controls).
Be cautious of “one-size-fits-all” savings claims that don’t explain assumptions.
3) Price clarity: what “$ per watt” can (and can’t) tell you
One of the fastest comparison metrics is price per watt (total system price ÷ system size in watts). It can help you spot outliers, but it doesn’t guarantee quality.
Many 2025 sources cite national pre-incentive pricing in the rough range of $2.50–$3.50 per watt for solar-only systems, with batteries adding high cost. Your final number in the East Bay can shift based on roof complexity, electrical upgrades, permit requirements, and equipment choices.
When $/W is “too good,” verify what’s missing: monitoring, permit fees, new roof work exclusions, panel upgrades, trenching, or a battery-ready electrical layout.
Did you know? Quick facts that help you read proposals faster
Microinverters vs. string inverters often show up indirectly. Microinverters are typically panel-level and can improve performance on complex roofs; string inverters are centralized and may be paired with optimizers. Proposal language should be explicit about which you’re getting, because warranty lengths, monitoring, and service approaches differ.
DC/AC ratio affects performance and “clipping.” Many well-designed systems intentionally oversize panel watts (DC) relative to inverter output (AC). That can increase annual energy harvest, but should be sized thoughtfully.
Utility rates don’t only move one direction. PG&E has had changes up and down across 2024–2026, including announced rate decreases going into 2026. Even so, many homeowners still prioritize solar + storage for resilience and control—especially during outages or high-usage seasons.
Optional comparison table: what to check line-by-line
Use this as a quick scoring sheet when you have two or three proposals open side-by-side.
Proposal Item
What “Good” Looks Like
Red Flags / Follow-Up
System size + layout
Panel count, roof planes shown, setbacks clear
No layout; “estimated” without shading notes
Production (kWh/yr)
Monthly chart + assumptions disclosed
Single annual number, no method explained
Inverter strategy
Explicit model(s), monitoring, warranty clarity
Vague inverter type; no warranty term stated
Electrical scope
Tie-in details; breaker sizes; panel upgrade notes
“Electrical as needed” with no allowances
Battery readiness
Critical loads plan; expansion options described
Battery added later “easy” without load analysis
4) The most-missed page: electrical upgrades and “battery-ready” design
In the Tri-Valley, many homes are adding solar at the same time as EV chargers, HVAC upgrades, induction cooking, or a second refrigerator/freezer in the garage. Your proposal should acknowledge that the electrical system needs to handle today’s loads—and tomorrow’s.
Check whether the quote includes (or clearly excludes) items like:
Main panel upgrade (capacity, bus rating considerations, and safe interconnection approach)
Sub-panel upgrades if you need dedicated circuits for EV charging or critical loads
EV charger circuit planning (Level 2 amperage, load management options)
Battery backup architecture (whole-home vs. partial backup; critical loads sub-panel)
Relevant services from our team:
Main Panel Upgrades | Sub-Panel Upgrades | EV Charger Installation | Home Battery Backup Solutions
5) Local angle: what East Bay area homeowners should verify
Solar proposals written for “anywhere USA” often miss the local realities of East Bay homes:
Roof geometry and shading: multi-plane roofs in newer Dublin and San Ramon neighborhoods can benefit from panel-level power electronics when partial shade is present.
Heat and performance: Livermore summer temperatures can impact real-world output; a proposal should not assume perfect lab conditions.
Future electrification: if you plan an EV (or a second EV), heat pump HVAC, or a hot tub—flag it now so the system is sized and wired intelligently.
Service and maintenance: for existing systems, local response matters when you’re troubleshooting an inverter, a combiner box issue, or monitoring a dropout.
Already have solar and need help interpreting performance or errors?
Solar Panel Servicing (Diagnostics & Repair)
Want a second opinion on a solar proposal?
Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions is a Dublin, CA–based solar and electrical contractor. If you have a quote in hand, we’ll help you sanity-check production assumptions, electrical scope, and battery readiness—so you can make a decision you’ll feel good about for years.
Prefer to start with services? Visit: Solar & Electrical Services
FAQ: Reading solar proposals in Dublin & the Tri-Valley
Ask what shading model was used, whether the roof tilt/azimuth are accurate, and whether the monthly production profile matches Dublin-area seasonality. A good proposal will show assumptions—not just a single kWh/year number.
Solar can still reduce the amount of electricity you buy from the grid in real time, but proposal value depends heavily on when you use energy and how exports are credited under the Net Billing Tariff. Many homeowners focus on improving self-consumption (often with storage or load shifting) rather than assuming exports will carry the economics.
It depends on equipment, roof space, and goals. Many systems intentionally oversize DC relative to AC to improve annual yield, but too much can increase “clipping.” If your proposal uses an aggressive ratio, ask the installer to quantify expected clipping losses and why the design choice was made.
Not always—but many homes need electrical changes to interconnect solar safely and to support a Level 2 EV charger. Your proposal should specify whether it includes a main panel upgrade, a sub-panel, load calculations, and any required permit scope.
Ask what troubleshooting steps are included (monitoring review, inverter error diagnostics, combiner box inspection), whether replacement parts are itemized, and how soon a technician can be on-site in Dublin/Pleasanton/Livermore.
For more solar Q&A, visit: Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions FAQs
Glossary (quick definitions)
AC (Alternating Current): The electricity your home uses. Inverters convert solar’s DC into AC.
DC (Direct Current): The type of electricity produced by solar panels before conversion.
DC/AC Ratio: The panel array size (DC) divided by the inverter output rating (AC). Affects efficiency and potential clipping.
Clipping: When panels produce more DC power than the inverter can convert, so output is “capped” during peak moments.
Net Billing Tariff (NBT): California’s successor structure for most new rooftop solar interconnections after April 15, 2023, which changes how exported energy is credited.
Self-consumption: The portion of solar energy you use on-site rather than exporting to the grid—often improved with batteries and smart scheduling.
kW / kWh: kW is power (instant capacity). kWh is energy (how much you used or produced over time).
Learn more about our company: About Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions
Sunlight Electri-Cal Solutions proudly services Dublin, San Jose, Castro Valley, Fremont, Pleasanton, and surrounding communities throughout the region.
