PG&E Service Area
Solar + Battery Storage in San Francisco County, CA
VoltSol gives 1 cities across San Francisco County a way to energy independence: residential solar paired with EG4 battery storage, from $8,700. Make your own power, store it, and keep the lights on through blackouts and PSPS shutoffs — instead of exporting it back to the grid for a fraction of what you paid under NEM 3.0.
County Snapshot — San Francisco County
Utility Rate
PG&E: Estimated $0.44/kWh residential rate. PG&E serves all of San Francisco with residential rates averaging $0.44/kWh, among the highest in California. While the city's foggy coastal climate and dense urban environment present solar challenges, high utility costs and strong environmental values make solar viable for suitable properties.
Permit Office
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (City and County of San Francisco). Typical turnaround: 3-5 weeks. San Francisco processes solar permits through the Department of Building Inspection with typical 3-5 week turnaround. The city has strict building codes and seismic requirements. SolarAPP+ is available for eligible systems to expedite approval.
Climate Zone
Zone 3 (Coastal): San Francisco has a unique foggy coastal microclimate with cool summers, mild winters, and persistent marine layer influence. The city experiences lower solar production than inland areas, but south-facing rooftops and properties in sunnier neighborhoods like the Mission and Noe Valley still achieve viable solar output.
County Context
San Francisco is a dense urban city and county with iconic foggy coastal climate and limited single-family housing stock. Many residents live in condos or multi-unit buildings where rooftop solar may require HOA approval or shared systems. However, single-family homes with south-facing roofs in sunnier neighborhoods can achieve solid solar production. High PG&E rates, strong environmental values, and renewable energy mandates make solar attractive where physically viable.
Tax credit, exemption, and incentive information is general and subject to change. Consult a licensed tax professional and your county appraisal district (or equivalent local authority) for guidance specific to your situation.
Why Solar + Battery Storage in San Francisco County?
Homeowners in San Francisco County are served by PG&E, which has seen significant residential rate increases in recent years. Residential solar + battery storage offers a way to lock in energy costs at installation prices and protect against future rate hikes.
Our systems combine rooftop solar panels, EG4 battery storage, and inverters to power your home's most energy-intensive loads — like heating, cooling, and major appliances — while maximizing the power you keep and use yourself. That means no utility buyback complexity under NEM 3.0, and backup power during PSPS shutoffs or outages.
Under California's current net-billing rules (NEM 3.0), the credit homeowners receive for solar energy they export is typically only a small fraction of the retail price they pay to buy electricity back. The smart economics in San Francisco County shifted to storing and using your own power instead of selling it back. The federal 30% residential solar tax credit ended for systems placed in service after Dec 31, 2025, but California programs like SGIP battery rebates may still apply. Consult a tax professional to confirm your eligibility.