No, a solar generation system operates automatically, and shuts itself on and off automatically.

For tips on maintaining a high-performing solar energy system, visit our Solar Maintenance Fact Sheet.

The California Solar Rights Act, enacted in 1978, limits the ability of covenants, conditions and restrictions (typically enforced by homeowners associations) and local governments to restrict solar installations. Get more information on the California Solar Rights Act.

The best way to maximize your solar generating system is to understand two things: how your system functions and how your rate plan works.

The cost varies depending on many factors, including the solar energy system’s size, equipment options, and labor costs. Typically, the installed costs are determined based on the size of the system’s output. The “cost per watt” ($/W) is often used for comparing systems of different sizes.

A kilowatt-hour, or kWh is a basic unit used to measure energy consumption. For example, ten 100-watt light bulbs left on for an hour will consume 1,000 watts per hour, or 1 kWh of electricity.

A kilowatt, or kW is a unit used to measure electric power. 1,000 watts is equal to 1 kW.

In California, a PV system will produce the most electricity in spring through fall, when sunlight hours are the longest and the sun is positioned higher in the sky. A 1,000-watt (or 1 kW) system can produce from 1,400 kWh to 2,000 kWh per year, depending on the efficiency and location of the solar panels. Generally, a PV system in Southern California will produce more electricity than one in Northern California. 

When you install solar, an electric panel upgrade is sometimes required by your local building and safety department. This is to ensure your electrical panel is up-to-code and can support an added electrical load. 

This is common in older homes and may be necessary depending on the specifics of your system, structure of your home, and changing electricity needs.  

Please note that upgrading your electric panel is not the same thing as reprogramming your electric meter. When you go solar, meter reprogramming will be a part of the process and will be handled by SCE and your contractor before you can operate your system.  

Residential solar energy systems can vary in size from 50 square feet to 1,000 square feet. As a rule of thumb, a square foot of PV module area produces 10 watts (W) of power in bright sunlight. The total system size will depend on the amount of energy you would like to produce to offset your current usage. For example, a 2,000 W system can produce 3,500 kWh on average during the course of the year (depending on the specific roof orientation and efficiency of the solar panels), and would require 200 square feet of roof area.