Sunrun’s Frequently Asked Questions on Solar & Battery Storage and Lights On Silicon Valley

Cells in each solar panel convert sunlight into electricity that’s delivered to your home’s main electrical service panel. Your system turns on and off automatically. Your home will use the electricity generated by your solar panels first and then pull any other electricity you need from the grid. If you use less electricity than your solar panels generate, your excess generation will be sent to the grid. 

A Sunrun representative can help you evaluate solar for your home. If you are a single-family homeowner with a roof that has good sun exposure, without many trees or other obstacles that block the sun’s energy, you are probably a good candidate. They’ll also look at things like your household energy usage and roof space to determine the right system for you.

Yes. Sunrun can install solar panels and a home battery that will provide backup power during grid outages (including PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events during fire season). This is an alternative to loud and potentially dangerous fossil fuel generators. Sunrun also offers solar battery service and can provide details during your free consultation. 

Note: if you already have solar, Sunrun expects to offer the capability to install a home battery with your existing solar in late 2021. 

If there is a power outage, your battery will take over sending power to your backed up breakers within a few seconds and will continue to do so until power is restored or the battery runs out of energy. Your system is designed to supply 8 to 12 hours of backup energy, but how long the battery lasts will depend on how much energy you use. The battery will recharge when the sun comes up, helping you to power through multi-day outages.

SVCE customers who install solar and storage and participate in Lights On Silicon Valley will receive the $500 rebate. By enrolling in this program, you join a network of local customers that send their battery’s excess energy to the grid during peak hours.  This helps avoid reliance on natural gas power plants that produce carbon dioxide and other harmful emissions and aligns with when you will already be selling your stored excess energy at the highest peak rate possible (see Rates and Billing section below for more details).  Note that only a portion of your battery’s energy will be used, and you will have use of the battery and solar to recharge in the event of power outage.

You apply for the rebate with Sunrun. You can expect to receive the rebate 4-8 weeks after the system is installed.

This program and rebate is available only when you install with Sunrun and participate in Lights on Silicon Valley. Other installers may have their own rebate programs.

If you are on a medical baseline rate, use electric medical devices in your home, have an electric well pump, or qualify based on household income, AND live in a high fire threat area affected by multiple PSPS, you might qualify.  At this time Equity Resiliency incentives are fully subscribed but you may still join the waitlist in the event that more government funding becomes available.  

• CA Equity Resiliency Criteria here.
• Medical baseline: Find out if you qualify here.
• High fire area: Check if you live in a high fire area here.

The backup battery will not affect your rates or energy cost, but will provide a limited amount of electricity in the event of a grid outage.

Your solar and battery storage savings will depend on several factors, including the angle and shading of your roof and how much you spend on electricity.  When you request a free quote from Sunrun, they will include pricing and savings information to help you understand the impact to your home specifically.

Generally, including a battery with your solar installation will let you store excess solar energy and then allow you to discharge that energy during the time of day when rates are at their highest, maximizing the value you get from your solar electric system.

Adding a backup battery will not change your energy rates.  The battery will, however, let you store excess solar energy and then allow you to discharge that energy during the time of day when rates are at their highest, maximizing the value you get from your solar electric system. 

You will still get a consolidated bill from PG&E/SVCE that includes a fixed fee and delivery fees from PGE, along with generation costs for any excess energy usage from SVCE.

If you generate more energy than you use, you will get energy credits on your bill. Periodically there will be “true-ups” where you will get a refund if you generate more electricity than you use, or you will pay for excess energy consumed. View the details of the SVCE NEM program.

If you choose a power purchase agreement with Sunrun, then you will not be responsible for buying the system or the maintenance, but Sunrun will bill you at a reduced rate for the energy that is generated by the system. 

Sunrun can provide estimates of how much you will save overall for each of the purchase and financing options.

Your energy rate with SVCE is not affected if you purchase the system or do a PPA. However, you will be generating electricity, so your usage costs from SVCE can be decreased, eliminated, or you may get a refund, if you generate more than you use. If you choose a PPA, then you will buy the energy generated by the panels, at a reduced rate, from Sunrun.

Sunrun can provide a free estimate and explain the options and rates after receiving your inquiry. 

Yes. If your panels produce more electricity than your home uses, the surplus energy goes back onto the electricity grid and you receive energy credits. If you use more energy than your panels produce, then you will be billed for the power that you use from the grid.  It may help to think of your meter turning one way when you use energy, and the other way when you produce it. Note that PG&E will also bill a minimum charge each month.  Please visit the SVCE Net Energy Metering page for more information about credits and energy usage policy. 

Changes may be required to your house electrical system or panel. Sunrun can provide free estimates for electrical upgrades with the system. SVCE may offer rebates for panel upgrades as part of their other programs, such as the Heat Pump Water Heater program. Learn more at svcleanenergy.org

Sunrun can assist in making the transfer to a new owner. Please contact Sunrun for details

Sunrun typically does not recommend installing solar on roofs that require major repairs, due to safety or water infiltration issues. Depending on  available programs, it may be possible to bundle re-roofing with Sunrun solar installations. 

Throughout the installation process, Sunrun’s customer’s project coordinator will be the main point of contact. Their contact information can be found on mysunrun.com.

If any issues or questions arise, customers may contact the Sunrun Customer Care team at 855-478-6786.