Custom designed solar,
sized to your actual bill.
Not a template.
We pull your last 12 months of PG&E or SMUD data and build your system around that number. Every roof is different. Every bill is different. Your system should be too.
- Sized to your bill, not your roof
- $0 down or cash purchase
- Permits and interconnection handled
- Licensed CA contractor. CSLB #[CONFIRM]
Most solar is designed around a template.
Ours is designed around your bill.
The difference matters. A template system is sized to what looks right on paper. A system designed from your usage data is sized to actually offset what you spend.
We start with your actual usage.
We pull your last 12 months of PG&E or SMUD data. We look at when you use power, not just how much. Time-of-use rates change what solar saves you, and we account for that from the start.
We design for your roof, not a standard orientation.
South-facing roofs are ideal. East-west splits work well too, especially with a battery. We account for shading, pitch, and available space before we size a single panel.
We show you both paths before you decide anything.
$0 down prepaid lease or cash purchase. We model both on your bill and put the numbers side by side. You see what each path costs and what each path saves. See the full comparison at How It Works.
We handle everything from permit to PTO.
Design, permit application, utility interconnection, installation, inspection. You get a call when Permission to Operate is issued and your system is live.
What you get
with a Revolt solar install.
No surprises on install day. Every residential solar install we do includes the same core scope.
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Solar panels. High-efficiency monocrystalline panels sized to your usage. We specify the panel count and wattage based on your bill and roof layout, not a default package.
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Inverter. String inverter or microinverters depending on your roof layout and shading. We specify which is right for your install.
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Mounting and racking. Roof-mounted racking system engineered for your roof type. Flashed and sealed to meet local code.
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Monitoring. App-based system monitoring showing real-time production, consumption, and export. You can see what your system is doing from your phone.
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Permit and inspections. We pull the permit and manage city and utility inspections. You don't manage any paperwork.
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Utility interconnection. PG&E or SMUD net billing application filed and managed to Permission to Operate.
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Manufacturer warranty. Panel and inverter manufacturer warranties are passed through to you. We explain what each covers before you sign.
How much does residential
solar cost in NorCal?
It depends on your usage, your roof, and which path you choose. Here's the honest range.
Prepaid lease
$0 upfront
A financing company owns the system and installs it at no cost to you. You pay a fixed kWh rate lower than PG&E. The §48E federal credit is reflected in your lease rate.
How Path A worksCash purchase
$20,000 – $40,000
Typical range for a NorCal residential system before any incentives. SMUD customers can subtract up to $10,000 in rebate. No federal tax credit for cash buyers in 2026.
How Path B worksWe don't quote from a price list. We quote from your bill. The free consult is where we run the real numbers for your home.
Get a Free QuoteNEM 3.0 changed
how solar pencils on PG&E.
In April 2023, PG&E switched new solar customers to the Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0). Export credits dropped by about 75% compared to what NEM 2.0 customers get. If you install solar on PG&E today without a battery, most of what your panels produce during the day gets sold back to PG&E at a very low rate. You then buy it back in the evening at full price.
A home battery changes that. You store what you produce during the day and use it at night. You stop exporting cheap and buying back expensive.
For most PG&E homeowners in 2026, solar and a battery together makes more sense than solar alone.
How long does solar
installation take?
From signed contract to Permission to Operate, typically 4 to 10 weeks. Here's where the time goes.
System design and proposal
1 to 3 days
We finalize your system design based on your bill and roof data. You review and approve the written proposal before anything moves forward.
Permit application
1 to 4 weeks
We submit building permit applications to your city or county. Approval time varies by jurisdiction. El Dorado County, Sacramento County, and Placer County each have their own pace.
Installation
1 to 2 days on site
The physical install is typically one to two days depending on system size. Panels, racking, inverter, conduit, and electrical work are all done in this window.
Inspection and utility application
1 to 3 weeks
City or county final inspection, then the PG&E or SMUD interconnection application. SMUD typically processes faster than PG&E.
Permission to Operate. System is live.
Total: 4 to 10 weeks
Once PTO is issued, your system turns on. You'll get a call from us that day. If you have a battery, the 90-day SMUD rebate enrollment window starts from this date.
Four things that affect
your solar decision in 2026.
NEM 3.0
Export credits dropped 75% on PG&E. Changes the math for solar without a battery.
Read the explainer →PG&E Rate Hike
Rates up 104% since 2015. More increases are locked in under the Wildfire Mitigation Act.
See the math →2026 Tax Credit
The 30% credit ended Dec 31, 2025 for cash buyers. Here's what's left and how the math still works.
See what changed →Property Tax Exclusion
Solar is excluded from property tax reassessment through Jan 1, 2027. After that, status changes.
See the sunset date →Solar for these NorCal cities.
We install across SMUD, PG&E, Roseville Electric, and Pioneer Community Energy territory. Each utility has different rates, export rules, and incentives. We know them all.
- SacramentoSMUD
- El Dorado HillsPG&E
- FolsomSMUD
- RosevilleRoseville Electric
- RocklinPG&E + Pioneer
- Granite BayPG&E
- AuburnPG&E, PSPS
- Citrus HeightsSMUD
Not on this list? Call 916-461-9961. We cover all of NorCal.
Solar questions we hear
every week.
How much does residential solar cost in Sacramento?
A typical residential solar system in NorCal runs $20,000 to $40,000 before incentives, depending on your usage and roof. We also offer a $0 down prepaid lease if you prefer not to purchase outright. We run real numbers on your actual bill at the consult so you see both options clearly before you decide anything.
Do I need a battery with solar?
On PG&E, yes in most cases. NEM 3.0 cut export credits by 75% in 2023, so solar without a battery often exports cheap and buys back expensive. On SMUD, solar works without a battery, but a battery unlocks the $10,000 rebate and lets you shift more usage to your own production. We explain this in detail at NEM 3.0 Explained and SMUD Rebate.
How long does solar installation take?
From signed contract to Permission to Operate typically takes 4 to 10 weeks. Most of that time is permits and utility interconnection. The physical install is usually 1 to 2 days on site.
Is there still a federal tax credit for solar in 2026?
For cash buyers, no. The federal residential solar tax credit (§25D) ended December 31, 2025. If you go with a $0 down prepaid lease, the financing company claims the §48E commercial credit and prices that saving into your kWh rate. Talk to your CPA before relying on any tax benefit. Full explanation at 2026 Tax Credit.
Can I add a battery to solar I already have?
Yes. We can add a battery to an existing solar system. If you're in SMUD territory, the battery rebate of up to $10,000 applies whether you pair it with new solar or add it to an existing system. The 90-day enrollment window runs from Permission to Operate on the battery install.
Get real numbers
on your actual bill.
We'll design a system around your usage, model both paths, and walk you through the numbers. No same day pressure. No obligation.