Kern County Real Estate Review
Is Solar Still Worth it in California in 2026?
Is solar still worth it in California in 2026? With changing PG&E billing rules, NEM 3.0, battery storage, evolving solar incentives and plenty of conflicting information, homeowners may be wondering whether installing solar still makes financial sense. In this episode of the Kern County Real Estate Review, Laurie McCarty talks with Marshall Dunn of Sunrun about what California homeowners need to know before going solar in 2026. They break down how solar has changed over the last several years, how PG&E credits homeowners for excess electricity today, what NEM 2.0, NEM 3.0 and the Net Billing Tariff actually mean, and why battery storage has become such an important part of the solar conversation. They also tackle some of the biggest questions and misconceptions surrounding solar: Will solar eliminate your PG&E bill? Does solar still save money under California’s new rules? Who is—and isn’t—a good candidate for solar? What should homeowners know about current tax credits and incentives? And how could growing electricity demand from AI data centers affect the grid, utility costs and the future role of residential solar and battery storage? Plus, if you may sell your home someday, you’ll want to hear the real estate side of the conversation. Laurie and Marshall discuss what happens when you sell a house with solar panels, the differences between owned, financed and leased systems and power purchase agreements, what happens if your roof needs to be replaced, and the questions homeowners should ask before signing a solar contract. Whether you’re considering solar, already have panels on your home, are thinking about adding a battery, or simply want to understand why your PG&E bill looks the way it does, this episode offers a timely look at residential solar in California in 2026—and what homeowners should know before making their next move. Contact Marshall: https://bestcompany.com/reps/marshall-dunn/t/sales/profile
