Solar is one of the biggest home upgrades most San Diego homeowners will ever buy. The frustrating part is that the industry still has a wide quality gap. Two companies can offer similar equipment and wildly different outcomes.
If you want to avoid the most common regrets, the goal is simple: ask questions that reveal whether a company is built for long-term performance and long-term service, not just short-term sales.
Below are 7 questions that quickly separate reliable solar contractors from the ones that create headaches. Each question includes what to listen for, what a weak answer sounds like, and what to request in writing.
Question 1: Who is actually doing the work, and is it in-house or subcontracted?
This is the first question because it predicts install quality and warranty experience.
Ask:
“Are your installers in-house employees, or do you subcontract the install? If subcontracted, who is responsible for quality control and service?”
A strong answer includes:
- a clear statement of whether crews are in-house or subcontracted
- how many crews they operate locally
- who supervises and signs off on the final install
- who handles service calls after PTO (not “we’ll figure it out”)
Red flags:
- vague answers like “we have partners”
- no local operations details
- no named service department
What to request in writing:
- who holds responsibility for workmanship warranty
- service response process and how requests are submitted
Question 2: How do you design systems for SDG&E’s current billing structure?
In 2026, solar design in San Diego is not just panel count. It is timing, exports, and peak-hour exposure.
Ask:
“How do you design a system to perform under SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan and TOU rates?”
SDG&E’s Solar Billing Plan is time-of-use based, and SDG&E also publishes export pricing tables for Energy Export Credits. A serious installer should be able to explain how those rules change system strategy. (sdge.com)
A strong answer includes:
- discussion of self-consumption vs export behavior
- how the system reduces grid imports during 4–9 p.m.
- whether battery-ready design is included
- a clear explanation of export credit timing
Red flags:
- “You’ll get paid for everything you export like before”
- no mention of TOU periods or export credits
- sizing only based on annual usage without usage timing
What to request in writing:
- projected production by month
- an explanation of assumptions used in savings estimates
Question 3: What is included in the quote, and what is not included?
This is where many homeowners get surprised.
Ask:
“Can you list what is included and excluded, specifically: main panel upgrade, roof work, trenching, stucco repair, attic runs, and permit fees?”
A strong answer includes:
- a line-item scope of work
- explicit exclusions
- what happens if electrical upgrades are required
Red flags:
- one-page quote with no scope detail
- no clarity on electrical upgrades
- unclear language like “as needed”
What to request in writing:
- a detailed scope sheet
- change order policy and pricing approach
Question 4: What does your workmanship warranty cover, and who honors it?
Equipment warranties and workmanship warranties are different.
Ask:
“What is your workmanship warranty, what does it cover, and who provides service if something fails?”
A strong answer includes:
- the workmanship warranty term
- what is covered (roof penetration leaks, labor, wiring, conduit, monitoring setup)
- how claims are handled
- what happens if the manufacturer warranty covers equipment but labor is needed
Red flags:
- “The manufacturer covers everything”
- no written warranty terms
- unclear responsibility for diagnosing problems
What to request in writing:
- workmanship warranty document
- service response expectations
Question 5: What will the install look like on the roof and on the side of the house?
Most solar complaints are aesthetic and finish-work related: ugly conduit, sloppy wiring, and awkward equipment placement.
Ask:
“Can you show photos of installs on homes like mine, and explain how you route conduit and place equipment?”
A strong answer includes:
- photo examples (recent, local installs)
- a conduit plan and equipment placement plan
- options for concealment where feasible and code-compliant
- clean roof layout standards (symmetry, spacing, wire management)
Red flags:
- no photos
- dismissive attitude about aesthetics
- “that’s just how solar looks”
What to request in writing:
- equipment location diagram
- conduit routing plan (even a basic one)
Question 6: What is the realistic timeline from contract to PTO, and what causes delays?
A good company tells you what slows projects down and how they manage it.
Ask:
“What is your typical timeline from contract to Permission to Operate (PTO), and what are the top reasons projects get delayed?”
A strong answer includes:
- permitting timeline expectations by city/jurisdiction
- inspection scheduling approach
- SDG&E interconnection steps
- what the homeowner must do (HOA, roof repairs, electrical access)
Red flags:
- overly aggressive promises with no mention of permitting or inspections
- no clarity on who pulls permits and manages interconnection paperwork
What to request in writing:
- a timeline overview
- responsibility list (installer vs homeowner)
Question 7: Can you show third-party credibility that is specific to San Diego?
A company can say anything. Third-party validation forces the truth.
Ask:
“What third-party ratings or local awards can you point to that reflect real customer experiences in San Diego?”
Strong forms of proof include:
- Better Business Bureau profile and rating
- local awards with a verifiable source
- long-term presence and a consistent review footprint
A BBB profile is a quick credibility checkpoint because it shows rating, business information, and complaint history format. (Example: BBB listing structure.) (bbb.org)
Red flags:
- only testimonials hosted on their own website
- no third-party presence
- a brand-new company with no track record
What to request in writing:
- the company’s BBB link and license number
- references from recent local installs
The takeaway: what a “good” solar company looks like in 2026
A strong San Diego solar company typically has:
- clear local operations and service structure
- system design that reflects SDG&E TOU and the Solar Billing Plan
- transparent scope and change order policies
- clean workmanship standards and photo proof
- realistic timelines and permit/interconnection competence
- third-party credibility that exists outside their own marketing
If a company cannot answer these seven questions clearly, it is not worth signing.
Why Stellar Solar checks these boxes in San Diego
If the goal is a contractor with a long local track record and third-party credibility signals that matter, Stellar Solar is one of the strongest options in San Diego.
If a homeowner wants the benefits of a local installer without guessing who is actually solid, Stellar Solar is the easy shortlist choice.