How to Go Solar

Santa Monica is committed to promoting renewable energy, with the City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan calling for increased local solar to be installed by 2030. To help achieve that goal, the City is relaunching Solar Santa Monica, a free service for residents and businesses looking to go solar. Solar experts are available to provide you unbiased technical advice to help you navigate the changing rules, incentives and financing options for solar arrays, battery storage, and more.

Producing local solar energy helps deliver clean power to Santa Monica residents and businesses, and pairing these systems with battery storage increases community resiliency in the event of power outages. There are also many financial reasons why you may consider going solar. Adding solar to your property can greatly reduce your electric bills over the 25-to-30-year life of the system and can increase the value of your property.

If you have reviewed this page and would like to receive individualized support from solar experts through the City's Solar Santa Monica program, please fill out this form.

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FAQ

Who can I contact for individualized support to go solar?

If you have reviewed the resources on this page and would like to speak with the Solar Santa Monica experts, please fill out this form.

What’s the right sized solar system for my property?

There are many variables that factor into the design of a solar system. These variables include electricity usage patterns, available space for the system, and your bill and energy offset goals. If you would like to speak with the Solar Santa Monica experts, please fill out this form.

What type of certification or licensing is required of a solar installer?

You must hire only CA state-licensed contractors with a valid license, which is either Photovoltaic (PV) Generation System: C-10 and C- 46; or B (General) license. Check contractor license numbers on the Contractors State License Board’s website or by calling 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).

You must also only hire contractors with a valid Santa Monica Business License.

Do I need a building permit to install solar on my property?

Yes. Make sure your contractor applies for a permit to install solar, which can be done online.

How does California’s new Net Energy Metering policy (NEM 3.0) impact solar in Santa Monica?

The new NEM 3.0 policy, called Net Billing, gives less value to solar generation that can’t be used on site and is sent back to the grid for a bill credit. That said, the portion of solar energy that is used onsite lowers your bill substantially. The high cost of utility kWh makes the solar investment a positive one. Strategies to limit the amount of generation sent back to the grid include changing times of energy use to coincide with solar generating hours and adding energy storage (batteries) to save solar kWh for use in the expensive peak periods.

Where can I recycle solar panels?

The City of Santa Monica, in partnership with the California Product Stewardship Council, piloted a first-in-the-state solar panel recycling project funded by CalRecycle. Here is a list of Universal Waste Haulers that treat solar PV modules.

Are there rebates and incentives for adding solar or storage to my property?

Yes, you can view solar rebates and incentives here.