FAQ
Solar + Storage FAQ.
- What sets Scudder Solar apart from other companies?
- Many solar companies have come and gone over the years. Scudder Solar is still here — and still growing — because we do things differently.
We're part of the Scudder family of companies.
Scudder Solar is backed by Scudder Roofing, one of the Central Coast's most trusted roofing contractors since 1982. When a solar installation requires roof work — penetrations, repairs, or a full replacement — we have the in-house expertise to do it right. No finger-pointing between contractors, no warranty gaps between your roof and your system. One company, one call, one guarantee.
We're local — and we've been local for decades.
We live and work in the same communities we serve: Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and south Santa Clara Counties. We're not a national chain that parachutes in for the install and hands you an 800 number. When you have a question or a concern, you're talking to someone who knows your neighborhood and your utility.
Full-service, start to finish.
From your first free consultation through design, engineering, permitting, installation, and long-term system monitoring, we handle everything. Our experienced team knows the local permitting landscape, PG&E interconnection requirements, and how to design systems that perform in the real-world conditions of the Central Coast — marine layer and all.
Premium products, not budget hardware.
We carry the best storage systems available — Tesla Powerwall, Savant, and Franklin Whole Home Battery — along with Generac standby generators. We don't cut corners on equipment because we know the system we install today needs to perform for the next 25 years.
We design for your goals, not a quota.
Whether you want to eliminate your PG&E bill, add backup protection for your family, or take a phased approach starting with batteries now and adding solar later, we'll build a solution around your actual needs and budget — not a one-size-fits-all package.
Licensed, insured, and experienced.
We are a fully licensed and insured California solar contractor. Call us today at 831.384.3900 for a free consultation and find out what Scudder Solar can do for your home or business. - Who is a typical Scudder Solar customer?
- Scudder Solar works with residential and commercial solar and battery clients just like you -- people interested in adding value to their property, drastically reducing or even eliminating their electricity bills, saving money, protecting their peace of mind, and doing something good for the environment and the communities where they live and work. Clients like: Homeowners and business owners, building managers, hotels, banks, schools, hospitals, wineries, HOA's, agri-businesses, and commercial building owners.
- How much will I save on my utility bills from a solar electric system?
- You can design a system to offset your entire bill or just a portion of it. Depending on your home's orientation and available space, we aim to save you 100% with our design and engineering.
Adding a home battery storage system can take your savings even further. Batteries store the excess energy your solar panels produce during the day so you can use it at night or on cloudy days — reducing how much you draw from the grid. This is especially valuable for PG&E customers on Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, where electricity costs more during peak evening hours. With a battery, you can tap your stored solar energy precisely when grid rates are highest, maximizing your savings.
A home battery also provides backup power during outages, so you're protected whether the grid goes down due to a PSPS event, storm, or equipment failure, keeping your lights, refrigerator, and essential devices running. - If I go solar, am I protected from rising electricity rates?
- Investing in a solar power system with Scudder Solar is one of the best ways to protect yourself against future energy rate hikes. PG&E rates have increased significantly in recent years — and they're not expected to stop. Every kilowatt-hour your solar system produces and your home consumes directly is energy you're no longer buying from the utility at ever-rising rates.
Add battery storage to the mix, and that protection goes even further — you're not just generating your own power, you're storing it and using it strategically to avoid the most expensive peak-rate hours. The result: your solar and storage system essentially shields you from rate increases for the life of the system, typically 25 years or more. The higher PG&E rates climb, the more your solar investment pays off. - Why should I consider installing a battery along with my solar system?
- Solar and battery storage are better together. Here's why more and more homeowners are pairing them:
Your solar panels don't work when the grid goes down — but a battery does.
This surprises a lot of people. A standard grid-tied solar system automatically shuts off during a power outage for safety reasons. Without a battery, a blackout means no power — even on a sunny day. Add a battery, and your home stays running seamlessly when the grid goes down.
Make the most of the energy you produce.
Your solar panels generate the most power in the middle of the day, often more than your home needs at that moment. Without storage, that excess energy gets exported to the grid at a reduced credit under NEM 3.0. With a battery, you store that energy and use it yourself during peak evening hours, getting full value from every kilowatt your panels produce.
Protection from PG&E's peak rates.
PG&E customers on Time-of-Use (TOU) rates pay significantly more for electricity between roughly 4–9 PM. A battery lets you draw from your stored solar energy during those hours instead of paying premium rates — and that difference adds up meaningfully on your monthly bill.
PSPS and wildfire season peace of mind.
Living on the Central Coast means PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs are a real concern. A battery keeps your lights, refrigerator, medical equipment, and other essentials running throughout an outage. When the sun comes back out, your panels recharge the battery automatically — a level of resilience that solar alone can't provide.
Better payback under NEM 3.0.
California's updated net-billing rules have shifted the economics of solar in favor of battery storage. Solar-plus-storage systems now achieve shorter payback periods than solar-only systems because you're maximizing self-consumption and minimizing the low-value energy you send to the grid.
Your home becomes more valuable.
Energy storage is increasingly viewed as a premium home feature — especially in California, where grid reliability concerns and rising utility rates are top of mind for buyers.
It's the foundation for true energy independence.
Pairing solar with a battery is the first step toward generating, storing, and managing your own power on your own terms — reducing your dependence on PG&E and protecting yourself from future rate hikes. - What home battery and generator options do you offer?
- We believe backup power isn't one-size-fits-all, so we offer both home battery storage systems and traditional standby generators — and in some cases, the right answer is a combination of both.
Home Battery Storage
We carry several premium battery systems. Here are the top three:- Tesla Powerwall — One of the most recognized names in home energy storage, the Powerwall integrates seamlessly with solar and provides whole-home backup, app-based monitoring, and smart energy management.
- Savant — A luxury whole-home battery and energy management system known for its sophisticated integration with smart home technology. An excellent choice for homeowners who want advanced control over every aspect of their home's energy use.
- Franklin Whole Home Battery — A high-capacity whole-home solution designed for maximum backup coverage, offering scalable storage to meet the needs of larger homes or households with greater energy demands.
Standby Generators
For homeowners who want the ultimate protection against extended outages, we also install Generac home standby generators — the industry standard. Installed outside your home like a central A/C unit, a Generac runs on natural gas or liquid propane and starts supplying power automatically within seconds of an outage, whether you're at home or not — no manual startup, no extension cords, no guesswork.
A standby generator is worth considering when:- You want protection through extended, multi-day outages regardless of weather or sun availability.
- Your home has higher power demands — well pumps, medical equipment, large HVAC systems.
- You're not yet ready to invest in a full solar-plus-battery system but want reliable backup now.
- Can I install a home battery backup system without solar?
- Yes, and it's more common than you might think. Home battery systems like the Tesla Powerwall, Savant, and Franklin Whole Home Battery can all charge directly from the utility grid, no solar panels required.
During off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, the battery charges from the grid. That stored energy is then available during peak rate periods or unexpected power outages. For PG&E customers on Time-of-Use (TOU) rates — where evening electricity can cost significantly more than overnight or midday power — this "charge low, use high" strategy can meaningfully reduce your monthly bills even without a single solar panel on your roof.
A standalone battery is a smart fit if:- You want outage protection now without the full investment of a solar system.
- Your roof isn't ideal for solar due to shading, orientation, or HOA restrictions.
- You're planning to add solar later — the battery infrastructure is already in place when you're ready.
- You rely on uninterrupted power for medical equipment, a home office, or other critical needs.
Tax credits and incentives may also apply to standalone battery installations. Ask us about current incentive availability for your situation.
Bottom line: starting with a battery — even without solar — is a legitimate, cost-effective step toward energy independence. And when you're ready to add solar, your system is already built for it. - How can I best protect my home and family from weather event power outages and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS)?
- Living on the Central Coast means enjoying some of California's best weather — but it also means navigating PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program, which can cut electricity for days at a time during high wind and wildfire risk events. Today's home energy technology gives you more protection options than ever before.
Solar + Battery Storage: The Gold Standard
A solar system paired with a home battery is the most comprehensive solution for outage protection. During a PSPS or storm outage, your battery keeps essential systems running — lights, refrigerator, medical equipment, Wi-Fi, and more. And unlike a generator, it does so silently and without fuel. When the sun returns, your solar panels automatically recharge the battery, meaning an extended shutoff doesn't leave you stranded waiting for the grid to come back on.
Battery Only: Strong Protection Without Solar
Not ready for solar yet? A standalone home battery still provides meaningful protection. It charges from the grid during normal conditions and kicks in automatically during an outage. The key limitation is that once depleted, it can't recharge until grid power is restored — so it's best suited for typical outages rather than multi-day PSPS events. It's a solid first step, and solar can always be added later.
Standby Generator: Unlimited Runtime
For homeowners who want protection against extended, multi-day outages regardless of sun or grid availability, a Generac standby generator is hard to beat. Running on natural gas or liquid propane, it starts automatically within seconds. It can run as long as fuel is available — ideal for prolonged PSPS events or for homes with higher power demands, such as well pumps, large HVAC systems, or medical equipment.
The Ultimate Setup: Solar + Battery + Generator
For maximum resilience, solar, battery storage, and a standby generator can all work together as an integrated system. The battery handles day-to-day outages; solar recharges the battery when the sun is out; and the generator serves as the backstop for extended events. For families with medical dependencies or properties in high fire-risk zones, this layered approach offers the closest thing to true energy independence.
Every home and family is different. We'll assess your energy needs, your property, and your risk profile to help you choose the right level of protection. Reach out for a free consultation, and let's build a plan that keeps your family safe and your home running, no matter what PG&E decides to do. - How does Net Metering work in California?
- Net metering rules in California changed significantly in April 2023, so the answer depends on when your system was installed.
If your solar system was installed before April 15, 2023 — NEM 2.0
You're on the legacy net metering program and in a great position. Existing solar systems under NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0 remain unaffected for 20 years from their installation date. Under this program, you receive credits at close to the full retail rate for every kilowatt-hour your system exports to the grid. If you're on NEM 2.0 and considering adding battery storage, good news: NEM 2.0 customers can add battery storage and retain their original NEM 2.0 status.
If your solar system was installed after April 15, 2023 — NEM 3.0 (Net Billing Tariff)
New solar customers in PG&E territory are now under California's Net Billing Tariff, commonly called NEM 3.0. Unlike traditional net metering, which credited solar exports at retail rates, NEM 3.0 compensates homeowners based on "avoided costs" — essentially what the utility would pay for electricity from other sources. In practical terms, this means a significantly lower credit for energy exported to the grid. Here's what that means day-to-day:- Self-consumption is king. The solar energy you generate and use directly in your home still offsets your bill at the full retail rate. It's only the excess energy exported to the grid that earns the reduced credit.
- Time of day matters. Export compensation can actually rise above the retail rate on late summer evenings, so a smart battery that discharges during those high-value hours can meaningfully improve your economics.
- Monthly billing. Under Net Billing, your bill is due monthly rather than the annual true-up NEM 2.0 customers receive.
- Battery storage is now essential. Pairing storage with solar allows you to use your own energy during expensive peak evening hours rather than exporting it cheaply and buying it back at a premium.
Absolutely — the math just looks a little different. A properly sized solar and battery system can dramatically reduce your monthly PG&E bill, with payback typically achieved within 7–8 years. The key is designing the system strategically — maximizing self-consumption, right-sizing storage, and timing energy use around peak rate windows. That's exactly what our design and engineering team focuses on for every customer. - What kind of financing or solar lease options do you offer at Scudder Solar?
- We believe anyone who wants to go solar should be able to — and we have options to make that happen for virtually every budget. Scudder Solar partners with several major lenders who specialize in solar financing, and our team will walk you through finding the best fit for your project and financial situation. Here's a quick overview of what's available:
Cash Purchase — The simplest path to maximum savings. No interest, no payments, and you own the system outright from day one — meaning you can take full advantage of available tax credits and incentives.
Loans (Secured & Unsecured) — From home equity loans and HELOCs to personal loans, financed purchases let you own your system while spreading costs over time. Secured loans typically offer the best rates; unsecured loans require no collateral.
Same-as-Cash (SAC) — Zero interest and zero payments for a set period (typically up to 12 months). Pay off the principal before the period ends and you pay no interest at all.
PACE Financing — We're an authorized contractor for California's PACE program, which allows homeowners to finance solar improvements and repay through a surcharge on their property tax bill over 5–20 years. No upfront costs, fixed rates, and no credit score requirement.
Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) — Buy the power, not the equipment. You pay a pre-set per-kWh rate — typically lower than your current utility rate — with little or no upfront cost. Note that tax credits and incentives go to the system owner (your provider), not you under a PPA.
Solar Leases — Similar to a car lease: low or no upfront cost, fixed monthly payments, and your provider handles maintenance and monitoring. A good option if you're on a fixed income or don't have taxable income to apply toward tax credits.
USDA REAP Grants — Agricultural producers and rural small business owners may be eligible for grants covering up to 40% of installation costs, and these can be combined with the federal tax credit.
Which option is right for you? Call us at 831.384.3900 to schedule a free solar estimate and financing consultation. - How do I know if solar panels will work on my home?
- We provide free solar evaluations for anyone who would like a better sense of the quality of their solar site location. We can also answer any questions you may have and go over the cost savings (if any) you may be able to reach by going solar.
- Do the solar panels have to go on top of my roof?
- No! There are many solar options, and they are not limited to your roof. We can offer ground-mounted solar systems and solar on carport structures, detached garages, patio covers, and more!
- Will solar work if it's not sunny out?
- Solar panels generate power from light, not heat. That means solar panels can produce power even on cloudy or foggy days. Remember, you can still get sunburned on a cloudy day! The energy output may be reduced, but the panels will still do the job at hand due to the incredible solar technology available to consumers today.
- How much does a residential solar system cost?
- The answer to that question depends on many things. The best way to get an accurate answer is to schedule a free solar site evaluation and estimate with Scudder Solar. With that said, the cost of a solar system can vary significantly — from large commercial installations running into the hundreds of thousands to mid-range residential systems. The final number depends on the system's size and complexity, your roofing material, whether you're adding battery storage, and your annual electricity consumption. What hasn't changed: solar is more affordable than ever, with financing options available for virtually every budget.
- How long will it take to install a solar power system in my home?
- Typically, a Scudder Solar residential installation takes approximately 5 working days, including the first day we're at your property. The actual installation time will depend on the size and complexity of your solar system, as well as any extra time for inspections.
- How much space do I need for a solar photovoltaic system?
- It depends on the size and complexity of the solar system, but the rule of thumb is approximately 80 square feet per kilowatt of installed capacity.
- How long will my solar PV system typically last?
- At Scudder Solar, we use top products from leading manufacturers, and our panels are durable, efficient, and long-lasting. Most solar PV panels today are designed to last at least 25 years and have been known to work for 30 years or more. A properly designed, engineered, and installed solar system is virtually maintenance-free and will work for a very, very long time. Most premium solar manufacturers today guarantee that after 25 years, your panels will still generate at least 80–90% of the power they generated the first year they were installed — a testament to how far solar technology has come.
- If I install a home battery storage system, how long will it typically last?
- Today's premium home batteries are built to last. All three systems we carry use Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry — the gold standard for residential energy storage due to its safety, longevity, and thermal stability. Here's what you can expect from each:
Tesla Powerwall — Comes with a 10-year warranty with unlimited cycles, guaranteeing 70% capacity retention at the end of the warranty period. Designed for daily cycling, Powerwalls often continue performing well beyond the warranty — with an estimated real-world lifespan of 15 to 20 years or more.
Franklin Whole Home Battery (aPower 2) — Carries an industry-leading 15-year warranty or 60 MWh of throughput (roughly 4,000 full charge-discharge cycles), whichever comes first — with a guaranteed 70% capacity retention throughout.
Savant — Backed by a 10-year warranty with a throughput guarantee of 73 MWh (approximately 3,650 cycles) and 75% capacity retention at the end of 10 years, and rated for up to 6,000 cycles.
All batteries experience gradual capacity loss over time — similar to how a smartphone battery holds less charge after a few years. The factors that most affect longevity are temperature extremes, depth of daily discharge, and maintenance. Our systems are professionally installed with these factors in mind, and all three brands offer app-based monitoring so you can keep an eye on your system's health over time.
The bottom line: with proper installation and use, you can expect 10–15+ years of reliable service from your battery — and in many cases, significantly longer. - What are the warranties on solar panels and equipment?
- Warranties vary by manufacturer and product tier, but here's what you can generally expect from the premium equipment we install:
Solar Panels — Most leading manufacturers offer a 12–25-year product warranty and a 25-30-year performance warranty. Many of today's top panels guarantee they'll still produce 90% or more of their original power output at the 25-year mark — a significant improvement over older industry standards.
Inverters — Inverters typically carry a 10–12 year manufacturer warranty, with extended options available.
Battery Storage — Our battery systems (Tesla Powerwall, Savant, Enphase, and Franklin Whole Home) carry 10–15-year warranties depending on the product. See our battery FAQ entry for full details.
Workmanship — Scudder Solar stands behind our installations. Ask us about our workmanship warranty when you schedule your free estimate. - Do I need approval from my homeowners' association?
- We'll say no... but also maybe to this question, too. California has the Solar Rights Act (section 714 of the Civil Code), which means HOAs cannot stop you from installing a residential solar system (an energy improvement). However, it has been said that the only way to enforce the Solar Rights Act legally is to submit your solar design to the HOA in question. They may ask you to modify the design and/or location for aesthetic reasons. Still, they can only do this legally so long as the changes don't significantly impact your solar electricity production (a decrease greater than 10%) or cost you more than $2000.
- Do I need a building permit for a PV system?
- Yes, and part of Scudder Solar's job is to procure the necessary permits from the local government on your behalf.
- Who will complete all of the complicated rebate, permit and incentive paperwork?
- Another part of our job at Scudder Solar is researching and completing all paperwork for our residential and commercial clients, including incentive and rebate applications. The amount of paperwork varies and typically includes forms for rebates and incentives, building permits, and certain agreements with PG&E.
- How do I clean my solar panels?
- Cleaning solar panels is a very simple process, but each product is different. Your Scudder Solar representative will talk with you about the best way to properly care for your panels. Having your solar panels cleaned twice a year professionally (once in the spring after the rain has passed and once in the early fall before winter sets in) should keep your solar system in great working order for the next 25-30 years. Generally, a bucket of soapy water (biodegradable soap is best) and a soft brush or sponge are the only tools needed, aside from a hose with good pressure.
