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Solar & Battery Installation in Irvine, CA

Local Orange County installer • 5.0★ Google rating • 10-year workmanship warranty

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SOLAR IN IRVINE

Irvine’s Local Solar, Battery & EV Charger Installer

Energy-SBC has been installing solar panels, home batteries and EV chargers across Orange County since 2014, from our office just down the road in Aliso Viejo. We design every Irvine system around your home’s roof, your SCE bill and your HOA’s guidelines — not a one-size-fits-all package.

Irvine neighborhoods we serve include: Woodbridge, University Park, Turtle Rock, Northwood, Quail Hill, Orchard Hills, Portola Springs, Westpark, the Great Park neighborhoods, and homes and businesses around the Irvine Spectrum and Irvine Business Complex.

SCE & NEM 3.0

Why Irvine Homes Need Solar + Battery Under NEM 3.0

Irvine is served by Southern California Edison (SCE). New solar systems now connect under California’s Net Billing Tariff (often called NEM 3.0), which pays far less for the extra solar power you send back to the grid than you pay to buy power in the evening.

That’s why most Irvine homeowners now pair solar with a battery: store your afternoon solar and use it during SCE’s 4–9 p.m. peak, when electricity costs the most. We size your panels and battery together from your actual SCE usage so the system pays off — and we’ll walk you through cash, loan, lease and energy service agreement options. (Lease vs. ESA explained.)

Infographic on a house at dusk showing factors that affect solar cost: amount of shade, roof space and orientation, and average electricity usage

INSTALLATION

Going Solar in Irvine, Start to Finish

We handle the paperwork: City of Irvine building permits and plan review, your HOA architectural approval, and SCE interconnection — then install, pass inspection and turn your system on.

Submit a photo of your recent electricity bill for our solar experts to review. By looking at your current usage, and any future plans for an electric vehicle, a new hot tub, or a backup battery, we design and plan your new custom solar system.
Close-up of a glowing lightbulb hanging from a cord, representing electricity usage

 

Our team of technicians will coordinate an assessment of your property. In many cases, we can quickly, safely, and thoroughly conduct assessments by drone, collecting accurate measurements and information about the surrounding areas. In some cases, our team will need to conduct an in-person evaluation of your roof structure and work with you to plan the location of your new backup batteries.
Aerial view of a house with solar panels installed on the roof, surrounded by trees

We have a dedicated permitting department who works directly with your town’s local building department to obtain the necessary construction permits for your project. We submit the engineering plans and manage all the paperwork for you!
Aerial drone view of a rooftop solar panel installation

 

 

After the permit is approved, we are ready to schedule a date for your installation! Our project management team works with you to select a day to begin installing on your property. They’ll remain in close communication the entire time in case extreme weather conditions cause safety concerns and unforeseen changes.
Solar panels being installed on a metal roof surrounded by trees

 

 

 

Your dedicated Site Foreman will lead the team of solar installers who will first install the racking system to the roof or ground, then attach and connect the solar panels to your external meter and interior electrical panel. Next they will mount backup batteries and electric vehicle chargers. And last but not least, give you a formal introduction to your new solar energy system.
Solar installer in a hard hat using a multimeter to test panel wiring

 

 

 

After your equipment is in place, we will schedule a final inspection of the property by your local jurisdiction to close out your building permit. Depending on your region, your local utility provider may require an additional inspection to finalize integration of your solar energy system with the local power grid..
Two inspectors in hard hats examining a rooftop solar panel installation

 

 

 

Your system is up and running, producing solar energy and storing it in your backup batteries for an emergency. You are connected to the net metering system so that you build up energy credits when your system over produces energy and utilizes the credits during periods of bad weather or nightfall. You are monitoring everything on your mobile app and are in control of your own energy!
Upward view of a home's solar panel installation against a cloudy sky

 

Submit a photo of your recent electricity bill for our solar experts to review. By looking at your current usage, and any future plans for an electric vehicle, a new hot tub, or a backup battery, we design and plan your new custom solar system.

Close-up of a glowing lightbulb hanging from a cord, representing electricity usage

Our team of technicians will coordinate an assessment of your property. In many cases, we can quickly, safely, and thoroughly conduct assessments by drone, collecting accurate measurements and information about the surrounding areas. In some cases, our team will need to conduct an in-person evaluation of your roof structure and work with you to plan the location of your new backup batteries.

Aerial view of a house with solar panels installed on the roof, surrounded by trees

 

 
We have a dedicated permitting department who works directly with your town’s local building department to obtain the necessary construction permits for your project. We submit the engineering plans and manage all the paperwork for you!
Aerial view of townhome rooftops with solar panel arrays installed
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We have a dedicated permitting department who works directly with your town’s local building department to obtain the necessary construction permits for your project. We submit the engineering plans and manage all the paperwork for you!

Aerial view of townhome rooftops with solar panel arrays installed

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HOA APPROVAL

Solar in Irvine HOA Communities

Most Irvine villages have an HOA, and that’s no reason not to go solar. California’s Solar Rights Act limits HOAs to reasonable rules that don’t significantly raise the cost or reduce the performance of your system. We prepare the layout, equipment details and drawings your HOA needs, and design clean, all-black arrays that fit Irvine’s architectural standards.

BATTERY BACKUP

Home Battery Backup for Irvine Homes

A home battery keeps your lights, fridge and Wi-Fi on during outages, and lets you use your own solar power during SCE’s expensive evening hours. We install Tesla Powerwall and Enphase batteries, paired with premium panels from Q Cells, Silfab, JA Solar and REC.

EV CHARGING

EV Charger Installation in Irvine

Charging at home is the easiest and lowest-cost way to fuel an electric vehicle. We install Level 2 home chargers and can upgrade your electrical panel if needed, so you can charge overnight or straight from your solar. Businesses in Irvine can also add EV charging for employees and customers.

OUR WORK

Solar Projects Across Orange County

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Irvine Solar FAQs

Southern California Edison (SCE) delivers electricity to Irvine homes and businesses. New solar systems connect to SCE under California’s Net Billing Tariff (NEM 3.0). Some customers buy power through a community choice program, but SCE still handles delivery and solar billing.

Yes. Solar and battery systems need a building permit from the City of Irvine, including plans, equipment specifications and roof-mounting details. Energy-SBC prepares and submits the permit package and schedules the city inspection for you.

No. Under California’s Solar Rights Act, an HOA can apply reasonable guidelines but cannot prohibit solar or impose rules that significantly increase its cost or reduce its performance. We prepare the documents your HOA needs for approval.

For most homes, yes — especially when solar is paired with a battery. Storing your solar power and using it during SCE’s 4–9 p.m. peak avoids the highest rates. We run the numbers on your actual SCE bill before you decide.

The 30% federal tax credit for homeowner-purchased systems ended after 2025. Leases and energy service agreements may still pass tax-credit savings through to you, so ask us to compare options.

Energy-SBC backs every installation with a 10-year workmanship warranty, on top of the manufacturers’ panel, inverter and battery warranties.

Ready to Go Solar in Irvine?

Get a free, no-pressure estimate built around your home and your SCE bill. Call (949) 324-3590.