San Diego Solar Permits
Christian Solar Premier Solar Energy Contractor
Can I Install My Own Solar Panels in California?
The short answer is 'yes', but there are a few exceptions. Here's what you need to know about solar panel permits in California:
Installation Requirements and Permits
Most States, including California, require anyone who installs solar panels or an electrical system for your home to be licensed by the State. This protects both residents and installers. If you hire someone to get the job done - make sure they have all licenses and approvals required by law to provide this service. If not, they could end up damaging your property, leading to more expensive fixes down the road.
Although a permit is often required -- most municipal building departments will waive this requirement if one of two conditions is met:
1) You have experience installing solar panels on your own home or others. For instance, you could have a solar panel installation on your own for 12 months with no issues and other work experience (i.e., plumber).
2) You get training from an approved organization such as the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). This is one option... The process takes nearly 2 years but it's worth it if you want to make sure that your panels are installed properly so that they last for decades to come.
DIY Solar San Diego: The Solar Permitting Process
The San Diego building department has strict regulations about who can install solar panels and how they must be done. It may be much harder to get them installed without going through the proper channels -- and this may even lead to fines or penalties if you do. This alone is reason enough to hire a licensed solar panel installer – to avoid fines and fees.
If you have more questions about solar panel permits and installing your own solar panels in San Diego, call us at (619) 612-5363. We'll help find out what's required for your specific situation and how to get everything done as painlessly as possible.
San Diego County Solar Permit
DIY Solar Permit Services
Solar Permit Specialists
There are multiple permits required for doing work within a city. If this is new construction -- then there are also some additional requirements from the city and county's planning department. There is no way around these facts of life if you'd like to build a home or otherwise improve/add onto/repair existing structures in San Diego.
The truth is that you can't properly construct something until the correct permits are in place. If you do not have all of these things, then any work done will have to be removed -- which can be very costly and disruptive to your current plans and schedule. As a result, it is important to make sure that you get all of your permits obtained well ahead of time so that everything goes smoothly.
DIY Solar Installation California
In San Diego, there are some additional requirements that are needed in order to legally install solar panels. The reason for this is because installing solar panels -- and running the wiring through your home -- can be very dangerous. If they are not correctly installed or wired, then you risk having a situation where you could have an explosion inside of your house from either certain types of old wiring or by misfiring components. This would leave you with a large repair bill as well as being without power until everything is replaced. Additionally, if someone's safety is at risk -- such as electrocution with water pipes nearby -- it may even be subject to fines which could run into the thousands per incident.
FAQ
Q: Is it possible to do it myself?
A: It is possible, but highly advised against. It is not likely that you know enough about wiring and electrical systems in order to be able to take on a solar installation without doing extensive research. Unless this is something you have done before or are comfortable with -- which is hard to tell with the plethora of information available online -- it would be best if a licensed professional were to handle this installation.
Q: How do I find out how many solar panels can fit on my roof?
A: Once you have your electrical and shading reports, an installer will be able to give you a quotation for how many panels can go on your roof space. This is based off of things like orientation (or direction) of the roof as well as surrounding trees/building shade.
Q: How long of an installation time would I expect?
A: This could change drastically based on your situation but generally speaking, it can take up to a week or more to get everything in place and approved by the city. And then once you've started -- as it is often a job that requires working at heights -- it could take up to another 4-6 days after that on top of the time taken for permitting.
Q: Are there any tax credits available?
A: Yes! There are many incentives that you can use so that you don't have to pay as much for your panels/ticket. For example, if you are a homeowner then there's the 30% federal tax credit. Or if you're a business, then your state may also provide tax incentives for installing solar which could help save you thousands of dollars over time.
About Christian Solar
Christian Solar is a locally-owned solar company in San Diego, California. We are a licensed solar installer with over 25 years of experience. Our mission is to help you save money and help save the planet. We offer solar energy solutions for residential and commercial clients throughout San Diego and beyond. Our reputation is built on quality, customer service, and superior craftsmanship. Read more about our services or contact our team to learn more about our advanced solar energy solutions.