The Problem with Electricity in California
Inefficient
Coal and gas plants are inefficient and costly. Aging infrastructure and long-distance transmission lines cause energy losses and require more maintenance requirements. High electricity demand during peak hours strains distributions systems, leading to inefficiencies and increase reliance on less efficient generation.
Dirty
Coal plants are “dirty” as they burn coal, emitting harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases, significantly impacting air quality and climate.
These include:
- carbon dioxide (CO2), which contributes to climate change.
- sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter, which cause air pollution, acid rain, and respiratory problems.
- Coal mining and waste disposal from plants contribute to environmental degradation and water pollution. This makes coal one of the most polluting energy sources.
Expensive
- Aging Infrastructure: California’s power grid requires constant upgrades and maintenance, especially to handle increasing demand and prevent outages.
- Wildfire Risks: Utilities spend billions on wildfire prevention measures (such as undergrounding power lines, updating equipment) and on lawsuits; passing costs to consumers.
- Regulatory Policies: Strict environmental regulations and green energy programs like Net Energy Metering (NEM) add costs to utilities, which are passed on to consumers through fees.
- High Demand and Peak Pricing: California's large population and peak energy demands, combined with time-of-use pricing, further drive up costs.
Utility Rates are on the Rise
SCE: Tiered Rates
Tiered Rate Plan: As of 01/01/2025
Tier 1: 33¢
Tier 2: 42¢
SCE: TOU-D-5-8PM
Time of Use Rates: As of 03/01/2025
Off-Peak: 36¢
Mid-Peak: 55¢
On-Peak: 74¢
SDG&E: Standard DR Pricing Plan
Tiered Rate Plan: As of 11/01/2024
Tier 1: 40.7
Tier 2: 51.2¢
SDG&E: TOU-DR-P Pricing Plan
Time of Use Rates: As of 11/01/2024
Super Off-Peak: 47.8¢
Off-Peak: 49.5¢
On-Peak: 55.4¢
Reduce Your Use: $1.16
Premium Panels
Hanwha Q Cell 410W
Hanwha Q Cell 410W
Hanwha Q Cell 410W
- High Efficiency: Advanced Q.ANTUM DUO Technology delivers exceptional efficiency of 21.1%; maximizing energy production in limited space.
- Sleek Aesthetic: The black-on-black design provides a modern, elegant appearance, ideal for residential rooftops.
- Durability: Built to withstand harsh weather, including heavy snow and high wind loads, ensuring long-term reliability.
- Improved Low-Light Performance: Optimized to generate power efficiently in shaded or low-light conditions.
- Comprehensive Warranty: Includes a 25-year product and performance warranty, offering long-term peace of mind.
Hanwha Q Cell 430W
Hanwha Q Cell 410W
Hanwha Q Cell 410W
- High Efficiency: Utilizes Q.ANTUM N-Type Technology for exceptional energy yields and industry-leading efficiency, 22.5%.
- Sleek Black Design: The black-on-black panel provides a modern, stylish look, ideal for residential rooftops.
- Superior Low-Light Performance: Optimized to produce energy efficiently in shaded or low-light conditions.
- Durability: Built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind loads, ensuring reliability.
- Comprehensive Warranty: Offers a 25-year product and performance warranty, ensuring long-term confidence and system performance.
Panasonic 410W
Panasonic 410W
Panasonic 410W
- Highest Module Efficiency: Half-cut cells with heterojunction technology with gapcell connections. Superior module efficiency of 22.2%, allows maximum power production with less roof space.
- Improved Performance When Shaded: Continuous power production in shaded areas for greater energy yields and output.
- Durable and Efficient Design: Clean aesthetics, industry’s lowest annual degradation rates, power output of at least 92% is guaranteed after 25 years.
- All-weather performance: Panasonic panels are resilient and perform optimally, regardless of the weather conditions.
- Consistently top-rated: Installers and homeowners consistently laud Panasonic panels for their performance and aesthetic appeal.
JA Solar 405W
Panasonic 410W
Panasonic 410W
- High Efficiency: Multi-Busbar (MBB) PERC half-cell technology ensures superior energy output and improved efficiency; 20.7%.
- Excellent Low-Light Performance: Optimized for energy generation in shaded or low-light conditions, maximizing daily power yields.
- Compact and Versatile Design: High power output in a smaller size, ideal for residential and commercial rooftop installations.
- Durable Construction: Withstands harsh weather, including heavy snow loads (up to 5400 Pa) and high wind pressures (up to 2400 Pa).
- Long-Term Warranty: Supported by a 12-year product warranty and a 25-year linear power performance warranty for reliability and peace of mind.
Battery Solutions
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
- Battery Capacity: Provides 5.0 kWh of usable energy storage. On grid power: 3.84 kW continuous.
- Integrated IQ Microinverter Technology: Each battery is equipped with Enphase’s advanced IQ Microinverter that supports efficient DC-to-AC conversion directly within the battery for optimized energy use and grid independence.
- Advanced Battery Chemistry: Uses a stable Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) for maximum safety and longevity
- Efficiency: Achieves a round-trip efficiency of over 96%, ensuring minimal energy loss during storage and retrieval.
- Warranty: The Enphase IQ Battery 5P is covered by a 15-year warranty.
Solar Edge 400V
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
- Battery Capacity: Provides 9.7kWh of usable energy storage. On grid power: 5.0 kW continuous.
- Seamless Integration: Designed specifically to pair with SolarEdge inverters, ensuring optimized communication, high efficiency, and streamlined system performance.
- Backup Power: Offers reliable backup power during grid outages, supporting critical appliances and home energy needs.
- Scalability: Allows for 3 units to be installed in parallel, per inverter.
- Efficiency: The DC-coupled system minimizes energy losses during charging and discharging, offering a round-trip efficiency of over 94.5%.
- Warranty: Backed by a 10-year warranty.
FranklinWH aPower
Enphase IQ Battery 5P
FranklinWH aPower
- Battery Capacity: Provides 13.6 kWh. On grid power: 11.5 kW continuous.
- Integrated Backup Power: Provides seamless, whole-home backup during outages, ensuring uninterrupted operation of essential appliances.
- Scalable Design: Supports up to 15 units, allowing for custom energy storage solutions tailored to specific household needs.
- AC-Coupled System: Can integrate with both new and existing solar systems, offering flexibility for retrofits or new installations.
- Efficiency: Features a high round-trip efficiency of over 96%, ensuring minimal energy losses.
- Durable and Long-Lasting: Built with high-quality Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, offering enhanced safety and a longer lifespan.
- Warranty: Backed by a 12-year warranty.
Tesla Powerwall+
FranklinWH aPower
- Battery Capacity: Stores up to 13.5 kWh of usable energy. On grid power: 7.6 kW / 5 kW continuous.
- Integrated Inverter: Combines solar and energy storage with an integrated solar inverter for simplified installation and enhanced efficiency.
- Backup Power: Provides seamless backup during grid outages, automatically powering essential appliances.
- Scalable: Up to 4 Powerwall + can be stacked and connected for homes needing larger amounts of backup power.
- Efficiency: Solar-to-grid efficiency 97.5%.
- Warranty: Backed by a 10-year warranty.
TeslaPowerwall3
TeslaPowerwall3
- Battery Capacity: Stores up to 13.5 kWh of usable energy. On grid power: 11.5 kW continuous
- Integrated Inverter: Simplifies installation and reduces costs by combining the battery and inverter in one unit.
- Scalable: Up to 6 Powerwall 3 can be stacked and connected for homes needing larger amounts of backup power.
- Efficiency: Solar-to-grid efficiency 97.5%.
- Warranty: Backed by a 10-year warranty.
About Solar Steve
With over 7 years of experience in the solar industry, I have proudly served hundreds of customers, helping them save thousands of dollars by switching to clean, renewable solar energy. My commitment to providing reliable, cost-saving solar solutions has empowered homeowners to reduce their electricity bills and their carbon footprints.
The Southside Co.
Newport Beach, California, United States
📲 949-322-3347 📧stephendavenport@thesouthsideco.com HIS #111932SP DRE #02207750 NACHI #21121501
