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Straight answers about California solar in 2026
No stale tax-credit claims, no jargon. Just current, accurate guides written to help you decide — and a quick link to the FAQ.
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What Is the OC Solar Energy Agreement?
The OC Solar Energy Agreement is a 25-year performance-based arrangement where OC Solar designs, installs, and maintains a custom solar and battery system for your home with zero upfront investment.
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Solar Panel Maintenance Cost (2026)
What solar panel cleaning, inspections, and annual maintenance can cost in 2026 — plus when a service visit is worth it and what changes the quote.
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Does Solar Increase Home Value in California?
In California, solar panels increase home value by an average of 6.9%, significantly higher than the national average. On an $800,000 home, this translates to an additional $55,200 in resale value.
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The Top 3 Ways to Go Solar: PPA vs Prepaid PPA vs Cash
When you decide to go solar, your first major decision isn't about panels or batteries — it's about how you'll pay. This post breaks down the top three financing paths: PPA, Prepaid PPA, and Cash Purchase, with the pros, cons, and ideal homeowner for each.
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What Uses the Most Electricity in a Home? Top 5
What uses the most electricity in a home? HVAC is #1, then water heating, EV charging, the dryer, and the fridge — typical wattages, plus what solar offsets.
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Top 6 Solar and Battery Myths Homeowners Still Believe
Misinformation continues to slow solar adoption even as the technology becomes more affordable and reliable. This post debunks the six most persistent myths about solar panels and battery storage and replaces them with today's reality.
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Is "Free Solar" Really Free? What Homeowners Need to Know
Ads for "free solar" and "$0 installation" are everywhere, but what do they actually mean? This post explains the Power Purchase Agreement model behind these offers, what you gain, what you give up, and how OC Solar's Energy Agreement works.
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Solar Is Still Affordable in 2026 With Prepaid Plans
With the residential solar tax credit expiring at the end of 2025, many homeowners fear solar is no longer affordable. This post explains how the OC Solar Prepaid Plan provides a legal, effective alternative that preserves the 30% discount through commercial tax incentives.
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Why Winter Is a Smart Time to Go Solar
Most homeowners assume summer is the only logical time to install solar, but winter offers distinct strategic advantages. This post explains why starting your solar journey in the colder months can mean faster installation, smoother permitting, and a system ready before peak season arrives.
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Add Solar Panels to an Existing System: 4 Checks
Yes — you can usually add more solar panels to an existing system. Four checks first: NEM status, lease/PPA terms, inverter and roof capacity, battery fit.
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Is Your New Home Solar Ready? Title 24 Explained
California's Title 24 mandate requires solar on all new low-rise homes, but meeting the code minimum rarely means your system is optimized for your actual energy needs. This post explains what the mandate covers, where it falls short, and why battery storage is increasingly essential.
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Understanding the Different Types of Solar Panels
Not all solar installations look the same. This post compares the three main types of residential solar — standard rooftop panels, ground mount systems, and solar shingles like the Tesla Solar Roof — covering the benefits, limitations, and ideal use case for each.
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The essentials
The Best Roof for Solar Panels (2026)
The best roof for solar panels by material, shape, and color — plus how solar works on the tile, metal, and flat roofs common across Southern California.
Updated August 4, 2026 · 6 minRead guide
30% Solar Tax Credit in 2026: Still Available?
The 30% residential solar credit (Section 25D) ended for installations completed after Dec 31, 2025 — a 2026 buyer can't claim it. The 30% commercial credit (Section 48E) survives on leases and PPAs: the system's owner claims it, and providers can price that value into a lower payment — not guaranteed, often partial.
Updated August 11, 2026 · 9 minRead guide
SoCal Solar in 2025: Data From 1,299 Real Projects
Original data from 1,299 completed 2025 installations: the median system is 8.0 kW, 70% included battery storage, and 31% of battery homes installed two or more units.
Updated July 1, 2026 · 6 minRead guide
Tesla Solar Roof vs Solar Panels (CA)
A head-to-head, no-spin comparison of the Tesla Solar Roof and conventional solar panels for California homes in 2026 — cost, looks, roof replacement, warranty, and which one actually wins for you.
Updated July 21, 2026 · 7 minRead guide
Top 6 Reasons to Get Solar in 2026
Is 2026 the right time to go solar? Learn how solar reduces utility bills, increases home value, and gives you energy independence. Read the top 6 reasons.
Updated June 25, 2026 · 6 minRead guideEnphase IQ Battery 10C vs Powerwall 3 (2026)
We install both. How the Enphase IQ Battery 10C and Tesla Powerwall 3 compare on capacity, output, chemistry, coupling, and backup — and when each one wins.
Updated July 21, 2026 · 8 minRead guideSolar Panel Cost in Orange County (2026)
What solar panels cost in Orange County in 2026, by system size — with cited local market data, SCE time-of-use math, and the cost drivers specific to OC homes.
Updated June 10, 2026 · 7 minRead guideSolar PPA vs Prepaid vs Cash in California
PPA, prepaid, or cash for California solar? A neutral 2026 comparison of ownership, escalators, transferability, and credit — now that the §25D credit is gone.
Updated June 10, 2026 · 8 minRead guideTesla Solar Roof Cost in California (2026)
Tesla Solar Roof costs more than panels alone because it replaces the roof. See the 2026 cost drivers and when reroof-plus-solar is the fair comparison.
Updated July 31, 2026 · 7 minRead guideReady to take control of your power bill?
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