BRENTWOOD — Many Bay Area homes were built during a time when residential solar energy wasn’t really in the picture. As a result, most electrical service panels lack the power capacity to support modern solar energy systems. In this case, an electrical panel upgrade may be necessary to accommodate the solar system—a project that can vary widely in expense. While a simple upgrade may only cost a couple thousand dollars, a major upgrade that requires the involvement of PG&E can run in the tens of thousands of dollars. Not surprisingly, the price tag for a major panel upgrade often kills the solar project before it can get off the ground.
Fortunately, the solar industry has engineered a solution that streamlines the panel upgrade process: the solar-ready electrical service panel. This innovation is making solar possible for many homeowners who otherwise couldn’t afford the cost of upgrading. However, the solar-ready panel isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, so you’ll need to find out whether it will work for your home. To do this, look inside your current service panel, check the label to see the amperage capacity and forward this information to your solar contractor. They’ll let you know if an upgrade is necessary and whether a solar-ready panel will fit the bill.