California Solar After NEM 3.0: The Homeowner's Survival Guide

What Your Solar Salesperson Won't Tell You About NEM 3.0, Batteries, and Real ROI

If you've talked to a solar salesperson recently, you've probably heard: "NEM 3.0? Don't worry about it. Solar still makes sense."

Here's what they're not telling you: NEM 3.0 cut solar export credits by 80%. Batteries went from optional to essential. Payback periods increased from 5-7 years to 8-12 years. Most solar quotes are still using outdated NEM 2.0 math.

This book cuts through the marketing noise. Written by a licensed solar contractor with 15+ years of experience and 500+ installations completed, this is the guide your solar salesperson doesn't want you to read.

What You'll Learn:

• Why NEM 3.0 changed everything (and why most companies won't tell you)
• The real math: Is solar still worth it in California after NEM 3.0?
• Why batteries are no longer optional (and which ones actually make sense)
• How to calculate your true payback period (not the sales math)
• System sizing: Why bigger isn't always better
• Equipment choices: Microinverters vs string inverters vs optimizers
• Solar panels: What actually matters (not "Tier 1" marketing)
• Financing: Cash, loan, lease, or PPA? The real cost comparison
• Solar incentives: What you actually qualify for
• How to choose an installer: Red flags and green lights
• How to read solar quotes: Decode the manipulation
• Decision framework: Should you get solar?

Real Examples You'll Get:

• Actual solar quotes decoded: See how installers hide real costs
• Real payback calculations: Not the "5-year payback" sales pitch
• Battery ROI examples: When batteries make sense vs when they don't
• System sizing mistakes: Why 20% oversizing costs you $4,000-$6,000
• Financing comparison: Why solar loans cost 2x more than cash over 25 years
• Incentive reality check: What you actually qualify for vs what quotes promise

What This Book Will Save You:

• Avoid $5,000-$10,000 in overpriced systems (most quotes oversize by 20-30%)
• Avoid solar loans that cost 2x more than cash over 25 years
• Avoid batteries you don't need (or missing batteries you do need)
• Avoid installers who disappear after installation
• Avoid quotes using outdated NEM 2.0 math (leading to 30-40% worse payback)
• Avoid "Tier 1" panel marketing that costs 30% more for 5% better performance

Who This Book Is For:

California homeowners considering solar. Anyone confused by conflicting solar information. Homeowners who want honest, no-BS information from someone who's actually installed hundreds of systems. People who want to make informed decisions, not rushed ones. Homeowners who've received multiple solar quotes and don't know which one to trust.

Who This Book Is NOT For:

Anyone looking for "guaranteed" outcomes or promises. People who want quick, easy answers without understanding the details. Anyone who prefers marketing fluff over real numbers.

Why This Book Is Different:

Most solar books are written by marketers who've never installed a system. This book is written by someone who's actually installed hundreds of systems, seen what works and what doesn't, and understands the real economics—not the sales math.

You'll get installer-level knowledge: actual costs, real ROI calculations, honest payback periods, equipment tradeoffs, financing reality, and what contractors won't tell you.

Short chapters. Easy to read. Designed to be picked up and put down. Each chapter answers a specific question, includes real numbers, and ends with actionable next steps. No fluff. No hype. Just honest information you can trust.

Stop getting misled by solar sales pitches. Get the real information your solar salesperson doesn't want you to know.