Question 1

How long do solar panels last?

Accepted Answer

In Southern California, photovoltaic panels are built to operate effectively for about 25 to 30 years. Output degrades slowly rather than stopping, so a well-installed array is still producing the large majority of its original power at year 25.

Question 2

What size system do I need for my energy use?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how many kWh you use each month and how much of that you want to offset. Many homes land around 5 to 10 kW: if you use 800 to 1,000 kWh per month, that is usually roughly 6 to 9 kW depending on roof space, shading and panel efficiency. The accurate way is to size from your last 12 months of bills, then adjust for an EV, pool or added air conditioning.

Question 3

How much will I actually save on electricity?

Accepted Answer

Savings depend on your utility and your offset. SCE averages around 35 cents per kWh while some municipal utilities sit closer to 19 to 24 cents. Offsetting roughly 70% of an 800 kWh per month home can save in the range of $110 to $200 per month, higher on SCE and lower on a municipal rate.

Question 4

Does my utility give a rebate for solar?

Accepted Answer

Most utilities do not offer a general cash rebate for installing panels. What you get instead is the Solar Billing Plan, which credits your bill when your system exports to the grid. Because those export credits are low, pairing solar with battery storage is usually what makes the numbers work.

Question 5

Why does battery storage matter so much now?

Accepted Answer

Under California's current net-billing rules, exported power earns far less than what you pay in the evening peak. A battery lets you store daytime production and use it during the expensive hours instead of selling it cheaply, which is why we size most systems around solar plus storage.

Question 6

What does a Tesla Powerwall add to a solar system?

Accepted Answer

Backup power during outages and PSPS events, plus the ability to shift your solar production into peak-rate evening hours. It also gives you app-level visibility into production, consumption and reserve level.

Question 7

How will shading from trees or buildings affect output?

Accepted Answer

Even partial shade on a few panels can lower output for a whole string, especially during peak afternoon hours. We run a shade analysis on your specific roof and design with microinverters or panel-level optimizers so a shaded module does not drag down the rest of the array.

Question 8

Do I need a new roof before installing solar?

Accepted Answer

If your roof has less than about 10 years of life left, it is usually worth handling first. Removing and reinstalling an array later is expensive. Because we do roofing as well as solar, the roof and the array can be handled as one coordinated scope with one contract.

Question 9

What financing options are available?

Accepted Answer

Cash purchase for maximum long-term savings, solar loans that let you own the system while paying over time, and low or no upfront options such as leases and power purchase agreements where you pay a fixed monthly amount or only for the power produced. PACE financing through property taxes is available in some cases.

Question 10

Is there still a federal tax credit?

Accepted Answer

Federal incentives for solar and storage change with legislation, and eligibility depends on your tax situation and the year your system is placed in service. We will walk you through what currently applies to your project and recommend confirming details with your tax advisor.

Question 11

Do you work with businesses and government agencies?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Nuon Energy is a SAM.gov-registered commercial contractor delivering solar, roofing and energy storage for government agencies, federal facilities, multi-family housing and commercial property owners across California.

Question 12

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. CSLB #1130793, licensed and bonded, with $25 million in general liability coverage. Insurance certificates and bonding letters are available on request.

Question 13

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We were founded in San Diego and serve Southern California, including San Diego County, South Orange County, Riverside County, and select LA-area projects.

Question 14

How does the process work from quote to activation?

Accepted Answer

A site and usage analysis, then a no-obligation system design and quote. From there we handle engineering, permitting, installation, utility interconnection and activation, and hand off monitoring so you can see production from day one.

Question 15

Can you also install EV charging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Level 2 charging for homes, and Level 2 plus DC fast charging for fleet, employee and public applications on the commercial side, integrated with solar and storage where the project economics support it.

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