Solar Rules Every Glendora Homeowner Should Understand

Solar comes up constantly in conversations with Glendora homeowners, whether they're considering installing panels themselves or evaluating a home that already has them. The rules have shifted significantly in recent years, and it's worth understanding where things stand now.

What NEM 3.0 actually changed

California's current solar compensation framework, officially called the Net Billing Tariff but widely known as NEM 3.0, took effect for Southern California Edison, PG&E, and SDG&E customers in April 2023. It replaced the previous system's near-retail credit for excess solar sent back to the grid with a much lower, time-varying 'avoided cost' credit — a reduction that industry sources generally describe as roughly 75% compared to the prior framework.

Homeowners who installed solar under the older NEM 1.0 or NEM 2.0 rules are generally grandfathered into those more favorable terms for a set number of years, so an existing system's value depends heavily on which framework it was installed under — this is worth confirming directly if you're evaluating a home with existing solar.

Why battery storage has become central to the math

Because exporting power to the grid is now worth much less than it used to be, pairing solar with battery storage — so you use your own generated power during evening peak hours instead of selling it cheaply during the day — has become the more financially sound approach for most new installations. This is a meaningful shift from how solar was typically pitched just a few years ago.

What's still evolving

The California Supreme Court ordered a lower court to re-examine aspects of the NEM 3.0 framework in 2025, so this is an area of ongoing legal and regulatory activity rather than settled policy. Separately, the federal residential clean energy tax credit that many homeowners relied on expired at the end of 2025 and isn't available for systems installed in 2026, which changes the upfront cost calculation for anyone considering a new system now.

Where to get current, reliable information

Given how much this area continues to shift, we'd point homeowners to Southern California Edison directly and a licensed, reputable solar installer for current program details and system-specific numbers, rather than rely on anything here as a substitute for professional guidance.

If you're evaluating a home with existing solar, or thinking about adding it yourself, we're glad to share what we're seeing with other Glendora homeowners and point you toward the right professionals — no pressure, just a starting point.

Ready to take the next step in your Glendora real estate journey?

Contact Marcus Ibrahim at Team Ibrahim Real Estate:

Phone: (626) 605-1840

Email: marcus@teamibrahim.com

Website: www.teamibrahim.com