Frequently Asked Questions And Answers

Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the world, and for good reason. Solar power offers a limitless supply of clean, safe, renewable energy for heat and power. Solar energy is more affordable, more efficient, and more reliable than ever.

Cost, Financing & Value

Absolutely yes! A solar energy system is an investment that adds both immediate and long-term value to your home or business.

Studies have estimated that there are about $1,000 a year in energy savings, which translates to $20,000 increase in the value of a home. If you ever decide to sell your home, research shows that buyers are willing to pay a premium for a home with a solar energy system installed. With a customized renewable energy system in place from Urban Design Solar, the Return on Investment (ROI) ranges from 10-30% depending on system size, building structure and available incentives.

You can dramatically reduce your utility energy bills from the very first day your solar energy system is installed and for years to come. Solar users still draw some power from the utility grid, but at a much lower-priced rate. When you switch to solar power, you are hedging against rising utility energy rates. You can lock in low, predictable energy costs for years into the future with solar energy.

Now is really the best time to invest in a solar energy system. You can receive 30% of your solar energy system cost off your federal income taxes credit; these credits can carry forward for five years. Urban Design Solar identifies all of the qualifying programs for your solar energy system and files the required paperwork for you. Utility incentives are being rapidly allocated and federal incentives are set to expire soon. So now is the time to install a solar energy system and take advantage of current subsidies for the best immediate and long-term savings.

No. Even though your property increases in value, there is legislation that prevents your property taxes from increasing. In California, the specific legislation is Section 73 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code, which provides property tax exclusion on most types of solar energy systems, including solar power for the home.

The single biggest mistake is choosing a solar company based only on the lowest price, without vetting their longevity or commitment to post-installation support.

This common mistake leads to two critical and costly problems for Northern California property owners:

1. The Problem of the Disappearing Contractor (The Longevity Trap)

The NorCal solar market is volatile. Many low-cost installers close or leave the area, leaving customers stranded when repairs are needed.

  • The Risk: Your expensive 25-year warranty becomes worthless if the company is gone. You are left with a broken system and no one to service it.

  • The Urban Design Difference: We have been an established and trusted NorCal service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are 5-Star Rated and have won multiple “Best of Chico” awards. Our motto is “The Northern California contractor that stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.” We are here for the long haul.

2. The Danger of Unpermitted Work (The Safety Trap)

Low-cost companies often cut corners by skipping required permits and inspections.

  • The Risk: Unpermitted work is inherently unsafe (risking electrical fires or structural damage), can lead to costly fines, and will severely complicate the sale of your home down the road.

  • The Urban Design Difference: As a licensed, multi-vertical trade service specializing in Electrical and Plumbing, we are uncompromising on safety. We ensure every installation is fully permitted, inspected, and compliant with all local building and fire codes across NorCal.

The Bottom Line: Do not choose on price. Choose on Proven, Long-Term Local Reliability.

We are rarely the least expensive option in Northern California, and we are proud of that.

We are transparent: Our price is a reflection of a commitment to long-term quality, safety, and accountability that eliminates the hidden costs of cheap installation.

When you see a significantly lower quote from a competitor, it’s not because they found a secret panel deal; it’s because they are making cuts in one of three critical areas:

1. The Quality of the Workmanship (The $0 Insurance Trap)

A low price often signals corners being cut on the back-end—specifically, in proper licensing, comprehensive insurance, and skilled labor.

  • The Hidden Cost: If an un-insured installer damages your roof or a cheap electrical connection causes an issue, the liability falls entirely on you. The cost of a major roof or electrical repair will quickly erase any initial “savings” on the install price.

  • Our Standard: As an established, multi-vertical company specializing in Plumbing and Electrical (Proprietary Knowledge #2), we guarantee quality, fully-insured, and code-compliant installations. We do the job right the first time, protecting your property and your wallet for decades.

2. The Use of Proper Permits and Inspections (The Future Sale Trap)

Your insight is crucial here. We find that many low-cost NorCal installers intentionally skip or fast-track the local permitting process to minimize “soft costs” (time, labor, and municipal fees).

  • The Hidden Cost: Unpermitted work is a ticking time bomb. It risks fines, puts your system safety in question, and will become a major, costly liability that can delay or derail the sale of your home down the road.

  • Our Standard: We handle all permitting and inspections correctly and locally, ensuring every installation meets the highest safety standards across all NorCal service areas. We have the small-town integrity to follow the rules, no matter what.

3. The Commitment to Longevity (The Abandonment Trap)

The absolute lowest-priced providers are often the “fly-by-night” operations that move on or close down within a few years.

  • The Hidden Cost: Your 25-year panel warranty is useless if the company who installed it has disappeared. Who do you call for a repair? That’s the core crisis we see in Northern California.

  • Our Standard: Urban Design has been trusted for nearly 20 years in Northern California. We are the company that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.” Our pricing includes our pledge to be here tomorrow to service the system we install today.

In summary, we offer the best value and the lowest long-term risk in Northern California, not the lowest initial price.

As the NorCal contractor built on small-town integrity, we’re not just here to sell you panels—we’re here to sell you a long-term solution. Sometimes, that means advising against solar until certain conditions are met.

In our experience across Northern California, solar is typically not a good fit in the following three scenarios:

1. The Roof is Physically Unsuitable (The “Shade” or “Structure” Problem)

Solar panels need direct, unobstructed sunlight for the majority of the day to generate a strong return on investment.

  • Excessive Shading: If large, mature trees (which cannot be trimmed) or taller neighboring buildings cast significant shade on your primary roof areas, especially between 9 AM and 3 PM, the system’s efficiency will be severely reduced.

  • Poor Orientation: A roof that primarily faces North will not capture enough sun in the Northern Hemisphere to justify the installation cost. Optimal performance is achieved on South, Southwest, or West-facing roof planes.

  • Aged or Fragile Roofing: Solar systems are designed to last 25+ years. If your roof is made of a fragile material (like old slate or wood shake) or is already 10+ years old and nearing the end of its life, we will not install panels. You would need to pay to remove and reinstall the entire system just a few years later when the roof needs replacement. As licensed roofing, plumbing, and electrical experts, we insist on structural integrity first.

2. The Financial Equation Doesn’t Balance (The “Low Usage” or “Short Stay” Problem)

The value of solar is directly tied to how much utility power you offset and how long you own the system.

  • Extremely Low Energy Bills: If your household uses a minimal amount of electricity (e.g., less than 500 kWh per month) because you are rarely home or have an exceptionally energy-efficient house, the lifetime savings may not be enough to cover the initial cost and maintenance fees in a reasonable payback period.

  • Planning to Move Soon: The average payback period for a system is 6 to 9 years in California. While solar typically increases your home value, if you are planning to sell the property within the next 2-3 years, you may not stay long enough to realize the full savings potential and return on investment.

3. You Don’t Own the Property

This is the simplest constraint. You must be the legal property owner to authorize a permanent structural and electrical modification like a solar installation. If you are a renter, you cannot install a system on the home.

When your solar system generates more power than your home or business is currently using (which typically happens during the middle of the day in Northern California), that excess energy does not go to waste. It flows back into the utility grid, and you receive a credit for it.

This crucial financial process is handled through a system called Net Energy Metering (NEM), which is monitored by your smart meter.

How the Credit System Works

  1. Meter Runs Backward (Effectively): When you consume electricity from the grid, your meter runs forward. When your solar panels push excess power back into the grid, the meter runs backward (or registers a credit).

  2. Banking Your Energy: This excess power is essentially “banked” as credits for future use. You typically use these credits at night, when your solar panels aren’t generating power, but your home still requires electricity.

  3. Maximum Value: You are generating this excess power during the sunniest, “peak rate” hours of the day, effectively replacing the most expensive utility power with your own free, credited power. This is where the biggest financial advantage of solar comes from.

The Urban Design Difference (Maximum Offset):

We engineer every system to maximize this offset, ensuring you get the most financial benefit from Net Energy Metering. With nearly 20 years of experience serving the greater Northern California region, we specialize in designing systems that significantly reduce or eliminate the costly electrical repairs that stem from other contractors’ shoddy workmanship. Our goal is to set up a robust, long-term system that maximizes your credits and guarantees a strong return on your investment.

To make a solar energy system worthwhile, you generally need to ensure your primary roof space receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct, unobstructed sunlight per day, especially during the peak generating window of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The goal is to maximize your Return on Investment (ROI). The more quality sun exposure you have, the quicker your system will pay for itself and the more money you will save over its 25+ year lifespan.

Three Factors That Determine ROI

We evaluate every property across Northern California based on these three critical factors:

  1. Orientation (Facing South/Southwest): In the Northern Hemisphere, surfaces facing South or Southwest receive the most intense solar radiation throughout the day, leading to optimal power generation. North-facing roofs are usually deemed unsuitable.

  2. Shading (Unobstructed Access): Heavy shading from large, mature trees or nearby taller structures will drastically reduce your system’s efficiency and may make the investment questionable. Continuous, heavy shade is the biggest reason solar won’t pay off.

  3. Local Weather and Climate: While occasional rain and clouds won’t stop production, the typically sunny climate of Butte County and the rest of the Sacramento Valley makes solar a powerful, proven investment across the region.

The Urban Design Authority Check

We believe in small-town integrity and won’t install a system that won’t give you a strong ROI.

As the contractor that stays and fixes the problems others leave behind, we ensure your investment is solid. We personally check your roof and shading conditions during our FREE, no-obligation site evaluation. This allows us to use expert modeling software to project your system’s output and verify that solar is indeed a cost-effective, great fit for your home before any commitment is made.

Problems, Maintenance & Warranties

Your solar energy system requires very little maintenance. All your solar energy system requires is occasional cleaning and inspection. Urban Design Solar offers monitoring systems to ensure that your solar energy system’s array is operating at an optimal output. Solar energy monitoring systems help guarantee the best return on your investment and alert you if any part of your solar energy system is not working properly.

No. Solar energy systems fit seamlessly onto your building. You won’t have to buy new appliances or change your electrical outlets. Everything works just the same as it did before. When your solar energy system generates more power than your building can immediately use, your excess power flows back to the utility grid, where your meter literally spins backward! You should experience no practical changes except for one: you pay little or nothing to the utility company.

A properly installed and maintained solar energy system is a long-term asset for your property.

While your system begins saving you money immediately, it is designed for maximum longevity. Most of the first solar systems installed over 30 years ago are still producing power today.

Panel & System Lifespan

The key components of your system have the following typical lifespans and warranties:

  • Solar Panels: Most modern panels come with robust 25-year performance warranties. This guarantees they will produce electricity at or above a certain percentage (e.g., 80% to 85%) of their initial output for a quarter of a century. The physical lifespan of the panels often exceeds 30–40 years.

  • Inverters: These components, which convert the DC power from the panels into usable AC power for your home, typically carry 10 to 12-year warranties. They are the most common component to be replaced, but the swap-out process is simple and affordable.

The Urban Design Longevity Promise

The true lifespan of your system depends on two things: the quality of the installation and the company that is still around to service it.

  1. Guaranteed Quality: As a licensed, multi-vertical contractor (Plumbing, Electrical, Solar), we apply the highest safety and electrical standards to our installations. We prevent costly future issues—like roof leaks or electrical failures (Proprietary Knowledge #2)—that can cut a system’s life short.

  2. We Stay Here: This is the most important factor in Northern California. We have seen too many competing solar companies close or leave the area, voiding customer warranties (Proprietary Knowledge #1). Urban Design has been an established and trusted service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are the contractor that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind,” ensuring your 25-year warranty is supported by a local company that will actually be here to honor it.

Solar energy systems are extremely safe, both in their long-term operation and when installed correctly. They present minimal safety risks to homeowners and occupants.

In operation, solar systems are safe because:

  • No Moving Parts: Panels are static, sealed units, making them virtually maintenance-free and eliminating the mechanical hazards associated with other energy sources.

  • Low-Traffic Area: Systems are generally mounted on the roof, a low or no-traffic area, keeping them safely out of reach of people, pets, and everyday activity.

The Biggest Safety Factor: Quality Installation

The most critical safety consideration is the quality of the electrical and structural installation. A cheap, unpermitted installation can create significant long-term dangers:

  1. Electrical Hazards: Shoddy electrical wiring, incorrect grounding, or improper connections in the inverter and main panel are the primary causes of solar-related fires.

  2. Structural Integrity: Poor flashing or improper mounting can compromise your roof’s waterproofing, leading to leaks and eventual water damage or mold inside your home.

The Urban Design Safety Standard

As a licensed, multi-vertical contractor serving Northern California, we treat every solar installation with the expertise of a master electrician and plumber. We strictly adhere to safety and code requirements.

  • Licensed & Permitted: We ensure all work is fully permitted and inspected by local municipal authorities across our service area. We never cut corners on safety—we fix the costly results of shoddy workmanship that others leave behind (Proprietary Knowledge #2).

  • Expert Electrical Work: Our systems are installed by licensed electricians to guarantee all wiring and panel work is safe, fully compliant, and built for decades of reliable use. This commitment to safety is why we are 5-Star Rated and trusted by homeowners across Butte County and beyond.

he short answer is: Nothing changes for you. Your home remains powered and your lights stay on, regardless of the weather or time of day.

This is because your grid-tied solar energy system is designed to work seamlessly with your utility company through an automatic process called Net Energy Metering (NEM).

During Cloudy Weather or Rain

Your solar system is dependent on direct sunlight, but it does not require a perfectly clear sky to operate.

  • Reduced Production: On overcast or rainy days in Northern California, your panels will continue to produce power, but at a reduced capacity—usually enough to offset some of your daytime energy usage.

  • Automatic Grid Draw: If your panels aren’t producing enough power to meet your home’s needs, the system automatically and instantly begins drawing the rest of the required power from the utility grid. This switch is instantaneous and completely unnoticeable to you.

At Night

Your solar system does not produce any power when the sun is down.

  • Using Banked Credits: At night, your home automatically pulls 100% of its power from the utility grid. However, thanks to the NEM system, you are essentially using the “banked” credits you generated earlier during the sunny peak hours.

The Urban Design Reliability Promise:

You will never experience power interruptions simply because the two systems (solar and grid) automatically balance power delivery. As the long-standing Northern California contractor with small-town integrity, we engineer your system to maximize those daytime credits, ensuring you have reliable, high-value power 24/7/365.

No, absolutely not. You will not need to buy new appliances, change your electrical outlets, or make any practical changes to how you use power.

The transition to solar energy is designed to be seamless and simple.

The Seamless Transition

  1. The Same Power: Your solar energy system’s inverter takes the DC power generated by the panels and converts it into standard AC power—the exact same type of electricity your home or business has always used.

  2. No Adaptation Required: Everything works just the same as it did before. Your HVAC, refrigerators, computers, and lighting systems will operate without noticing a difference.

The Only Change You’ll Notice

The only change you will experience is a major improvement in your energy bill.

When your solar system generates more power than you are using, that excess energy flows directly back to the utility grid, and through the Net Energy Metering process, you are credited for it. This dramatically lowers or eliminates the amount you pay the utility company for electricity.

The Urban Design Authority Check

As the long-established contractor built on small-town integrity, we ensure the integration is flawless. Because we are licensed experts in both Electrical and Solar, we seamlessly and safely integrate the new solar system into your existing electrical panel. You get the peace of mind that the wiring is correct, fully permitted, and built to last across our entire Northern California service area.

The biggest flaw in most solar warranties isn’t the length of the warranty (most panels come with excellent 25-year guarantees)—it’s the financial stability and longevity of the company that installed it.

The Warranty Flaw: The Disappearing Installer

A solar warranty is a multi-layered promise. While the manufacturer guarantees the panel will perform for 25 years, the installer is the one responsible for honoring the labor, troubleshooting, accessing the roof, handling the claim, and completing the repair.

  • The Crisis in Northern California (Proprietary Knowledge #1): The solar market has been volatile. We constantly see national or short-term contractors close their doors, leave the Butte County area, or simply stop answering their phones.

  • The Consequence: When your installer disappears, your 25-year warranty is effectively worthless. You are left with a broken system, and no one to service it. If you call the panel manufacturer, they will tell you they can only process the claim through a certified, active dealer—and your installer is gone.

The Urban Design Longevity Pledge

At Urban Design, we built our company on small-town integrity. Our price reflects our commitment to being here for the life of your system.

  • 20 Years of Trust: We have been an established, 5-Star Rated service contractor for nearly 20 years. We are not going anywhere.

  • Our Motto is Our Guarantee: We are the contractor that “stays and fixes the problems others leave behind.”

  • Multi-Trade Security: Our expertise in Plumbing, Electrical, and Solar means our business is robust and stable, giving you the peace of mind that we will be here tomorrow to service the system we install today. Choosing Urban Design means your warranty is backed by a contractor you can actually call.

A properly installed solar system should be virtually maintenance-free. If you notice any of the following signs—especially soon after installation—it is a clear indicator of shoddy workmanship that requires immediate attention from an established, licensed contractor.

These issues are precisely the costly results of low-bid contractors and cutting corners that we constantly fix across Northern California.

1. Performance and Panel-Level Issues

These issues mean you are not getting the financial return you expected.

  • Unexpectedly High Energy Bills: This is the first red flag. If your bill hasn’t dropped significantly, your system is underproducing. This can be caused by micro-inverter failures, poor wiring, or even the panels being mounted in a shaded area the installer ignored.

  • Visible Panel Damage: Look for obvious signs of damage from the ground, such as:

    • Cracks or chips in the glass (often caused by poor handling during installation).

    • Discoloration or yellowing of the panel cells (a sign of moisture intrusion or overheating).

    • Snail Trails (dark, irregular lines under the glass) signaling degradation.

2. Safety and Electrical Hazards

These are the most dangerous signs, and they are usually caused by an unlicensed or inexperienced electrical crew.

  • Inverter Errors: Your inverter (the large box that converts power) showing red flashing lights, persistent error codes, or emitting unusual buzzing/crackling sounds is an immediate safety concern.

  • Frequent Circuit Breaker Tripping: A system that frequently trips its dedicated circuit breaker indicates improper system design, mismatched electrical components, or dangerous wiring faults.

  • Exposed or Dangling Conduit/Wiring: Conduit or wiring that is not tightly secured, is rubbing against the roof, or is routed haphazardly is a sign of unprofessional work and risks long-term electrical failure.

3. Structural and Roof Integrity Issues (The Leak Trap)

This is where our multi-trade expertise shines. The number one installation failure is causing a roof leak.

  • Roof Leaks Inside Your Home: Water stains or drips on your ceiling, especially around the same area as the panels, indicate missing or improper flashing at the mounting penetrations. A reputable contractor knows how to waterproof the drill points; relying on caulk alone is a massive mistake.

  • Visibly Damaged Shingles: Look for cracked or broken roof tiles/shingles around the panel mounts. If the mounting hardware wasn’t compatible with your specific roof type (common on tile or metal roofs), it likely compromised the roofing material.

The Urban Design Difference:

As a 5-Star Rated contractor with nearly 20 years of experience in Plumbing, Electrical, and Solar, we specialize in correcting the costly results of shoddy workmanship. If you notice any of these signs, we are the reliable, long-term solution built on small-town integrity to fix the problems others leave behind.

Logistics & Suitability

No, your Homeowners Association (HOA) cannot legally prohibit you from installing a solar energy system in California.

This is protected by state law:

The California Solar Rights Act

In California, the California Solar Rights Act (Civil Code Section 714) explicitly states that HOAs, governments, and other residential organizations cannot stop you from installing a home solar energy system.

This law ensures that homeowners have the right to reduce their energy costs and contribute to clean energy, regardless of restrictive community rules.

Where the HOA Can Step In

While the HOA cannot prohibit solar outright, they do retain limited rights regarding the aesthetic placement and appearance of the installation. They may ask you to modify the design and/or location for visual reasons, but these requested changes must meet two key conditions:

  1. The changes cannot significantly decrease the system’s efficiency (the reduction must be less than 10% of the system’s power production).

  2. The changes cannot increase the cost of the system by more than $2,000.

The Urban Design Advantage: Handling the Red Tape

Dealing with HOA applications and architectural review boards can be frustrating. As the Northern California contractor built on small-town integrity, we handle this red tape for you.

  • We Handle Approvals: We have nearly 20 years of experience working successfully with HOAs across Butte County and the greater region. We design the system with their rules in mind and submit all required documentation for approval, ensuring a smooth process.

  • Zero Anxiety: We know the rules. We will ensure your system is aesthetically compliant while fighting to protect your maximum energy production and ROI.

The total time from signing the contract to flipping the switch can vary, but we believe in full transparency. We break the process into two key phases:

Phase 1: Permitting and Approval (The Paperwork Period)

This is the longest phase and is necessary to ensure your system is safe, legal, and compliant with all Northern California codes.

  • Timeline: 4 to 12 Weeks.

  • What We Do: We handle 100% of this phase. This includes:

    1. Finalizing the system design and engineering plans.

    2. Submitting all necessary documents to your local municipality (e.g., Butte County) for building permits.

    3. Submitting interconnection agreements to your utility provider (required to get Net Energy Metering approval).

Phase 2: Physical Installation and Activation

Once all permits and utility approvals are in hand, the physical work begins.

  • Installation Timeline: 3 to 7 Days.

    • The physical installation on a typical residential roof takes about 3 to 7 days, depending on the complexity of your roof and the size of the system. Commercial systems usually take 1 to 3 weeks.

  • Final Inspection & Activation: Once installed, the system is inspected by the city/county, and then the utility company installs the final Net Meter and flips the switch to Permission to Operate (PTO). This final step typically takes 1 to 3 weeks after the installation is complete.

The Urban Design Efficiency Difference:

Our job is to execute both phases as efficiently as possible. We use our nearly 20 years of local experience and 5-Star Rated processes to minimize delays, ensuring your system starts generating free power as quickly as possible. We are built on small-town integrity, which means we communicate clearly throughout the entire process.

To ensure your system is safe, legal, and compliant with all local standards, installing a grid-tied solar system requires two major types of local government approval: Building Permits and Utility Interconnection.

1. Building Permits and Inspections (Local Authority)

The local jurisdiction (e.g., your county or city in Northern California) requires permits and inspections to ensure the work is structurally sound and electrically safe.

  • Structural/Roof Permit: Required to verify that your roof structure can safely handle the additional weight and wind loads of the solar panels and racking equipment. This permit guarantees the installation meets the necessary structural safety codes.

  • Electrical Permit: Required to verify that all wiring, grounding, circuits, and the integration of the solar system into your main electrical panel and utility meter are correctly installed by a licensed electrician. This is the most crucial permit for long-term safety.

2. Utility Interconnection Agreement (The Grid Authority)

This is the non-physical “permit” that allows your system to legally feed power back into the grid and qualify for Net Energy Metering (NEM).

  • This agreement, submitted to your local utility company, ensures your system meets all safety standards for utility workers and allows the utility to install the necessary Net Meter to track your credits.

The Urban Design Advantage: Total Compliance

As the long-established contractor built on small-town integrity, Urban Design manages the permit process from start to finish.

  • Zero Stress for You: We create the solar panel design, handle all permit submissions, manage communication with your city/county across Northern California, and coordinate the final inspections.

  • Multi-Trade Security: Our expertise in Electrical and Plumbing allows us to flawlessly manage the most complex parts of the process—the structural mounting and the electrical tie-in—guaranteeing compliance and preventing the costly results of shoddy workmanship often found in unpermitted systems.

The size of your solar energy system is determined not by the size of your house, but by the amount of energy you use and the physical space available on your roof. Every home and business across Northern California is unique, making a customized solution essential.

To calculate the precise system size (measured in kilowatts, or kW), we focus on two primary factors:

1. Your Historical Energy Consumption (The Data Point)

This is the most critical factor. We look at your previous 12 months of utility bills to understand your average daily and monthly energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours, or kWh).

  • Residential Systems: Typically range from 3 kW to 10 kW in size.

  • Commercial Systems: Can range from 50 kW to 500 kW for a medium-sized business or agricultural operation.

Our Goal: We size the system to match your current usage, aiming to offset as much of your utility energy bill as you desire, while accounting for any planned increases (like purchasing an electric vehicle).

2. Physical Constraints (Roof Space and Sun Access)

We then match your energy needs to your property’s capacity:

  • Available Roof Space: The actual square footage of usable roof space (after accounting for fire setbacks, vents, and skylights).

  • Sun Access: The orientation of the roof (South-facing is best) and the level of shading from trees or nearby structures (which can reduce efficiency).

The Urban Design Custom Design Process

We don’t do cookie-cutter installations. Urban Design is a 5-Star Rated contractor that operates on small-town integrity.

We start with a FREE site evaluation where we analyze your utility data and roof space to create a custom design and performance projection. This ensures your system is properly sized to your specific needs, maximizing your long-term return on investment and preventing the costly mistake of an undersized or oversized system.

You are right to ask this! The orientation and shading of your roof are the two biggest factors determining if solar will be a good investment. As the trusted, long-term contractor in Northern California, we want to help you spot the initial red flags yourself.

1. Roof Orientation (Facing the Wrong Direction)

The sun’s path means not all roof planes are equal.

  • Optimal Direction: Surfaces facing South, Southwest, or West receive the best sun exposure throughout the day in the Northern Hemisphere. These are the best candidates for high-performance solar arrays.

  • The Red Flag: If your main, largest roof surface primarily faces North, it will not receive enough direct, high-intensity sunlight to generate a positive return on investment (ROI). In nearly all cases, a north-facing roof is unsuitable for solar panels.

2. Excessive Shading (The Shade Problem)

Panels need consistent, direct sunlight to achieve maximum efficiency.

  • The Red Flag: If large, mature trees or tall neighboring buildings cast a solid, dark shadow on the main area of your roof between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, especially during the summer, your production will be severely compromised.

  • The Rule of Thumb: If you see heavy shadows covering more than 20-25% of your usable roof space during those peak hours, your ROI will be heavily impacted, and solar may not be a worthwhile investment.

The Urban Design Professional Assessment

We never guess. We believe in providing the most accurate, data-driven answers possible.

  • As a 5-Star Rated contractor built on small-town integrity, we will not sell you a system that won’t give you a strong ROI.

  • We use specialized modeling software during our FREE site evaluation across Northern California. This software analyzes satellite imagery of your roof, tracks the sun’s path throughout the year, and maps all shading elements to determine the exact annual production and financial return before you ever commit.

Technology & Equipment

No, a battery back-up system is not required, but it is highly recommended for security and stability in Northern California.

While it is true that your grid-tied solar system always has access to the utility grid, battery technology has advanced significantly since 2017, making it a valuable investment, especially in our region.

The Role of Battery Storage Today

A battery system serves two primary functions: Emergency Back-Up and Maximizing Value.

  1. Grid Outage Security: This is the biggest reason for battery adoption across Northern California. A standard grid-tied solar system turns off during a power outage (for utility worker safety). A battery system allows you to store your excess solar energy and automatically power your critical appliances (like refrigerators, lights, and WiFi) when the utility grid goes down.

  2. Increased Financial Value: Batteries allow you to store the free solar energy you generate during the day and use it in the evening (after the sun sets), which is when utility rates are at their peak. This practice, often called “Time-of-Use Management,” can significantly increase your savings.

Is a Battery Right for You?

  • You DO NOT need a battery if: You are primarily concerned with reducing your monthly utility bill and are comfortable relying on the grid for power 24/7.

  • You DO need a battery if: You want protection against the frequent Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) or outages common across Butte County and Northern California, or if you want to maximize your savings during peak-rate hours.

As your trusted, 5-Star Rated contractor, we will include battery options in your FREE site evaluation and give you an honest breakdown of the costs and benefits based on your specific energy goals.

Our systems are specifically engineered and installed to handle the wide range of weather conditions common across the Northern California region, from the intense summer heat in the Sacramento Valley to the snow and wind loads closer to the foothills.

We focus on quality and durability across three key areas:

1. Extreme Heat and Performance (The Long-Term Guarantee)

The most significant threat from extreme heat is efficiency degradation. Our panels are built to withstand high temperatures while maintaining production.

  • Heat Resistance: We only use panels that are highly resistant to heat-related degradation. This means they are proven to maintain their efficiency and power output even on the hottest days in Butte County and the Sacramento Valley.

  • Warranty: The robust 25-year performance warranty on every panel is your guarantee that the system will continue to produce energy at expected levels, even after decades of intense Northern California summers.

2. Snow Loads and Wind Resistance (The Structural Security)

The racking system—the hardware that mounts the panels to your roof—is the critical component for handling physical stress.

  • Structural Engineering: Our systems are designed and engineered to meet or exceed local structural codes for both wind uplift and heavy snow load in your specific service area. We never cut corners here.

  • Fixing Bad Work (Proprietary Knowledge #2): As experts in correcting the costly results of poor installations, we understand the long-term risk of weak racking. Our installation standard ensures the system remains structurally sound and watertight for its entire 25+ year lifespan.

3. The Quality Guarantee (Our Long-Term Partner Standard)

Instead of using confusing industry labels, we assure you of our manufacturer standard:

  • We only install panels from companies that are proven to be financially stable, publicly trusted, and have been successfully producing reliable products for many years.

  • Why This Matters to You: We call these companies our Long-Term Partners. By choosing manufacturers with this level of stability, we ensure the company backing your 25-year warranty will actually be around in 10 or 20 years to honor their promises. This is the ultimate peace of mind when choosing the Northern California contractor built on small-town integrity.

By focusing on quality and robust engineering, we ensure your investment is protected from the elements. We install systems that last.

We do not choose the cheapest panels available on the market for one simple reason: They create an unacceptable risk for your 25-year investment.

Our panels are selected based on a strict standard of durability, proven performance, and long-term financial stability. We believe that paying slightly more now saves you thousands in repairs and lost energy later.

1. Durability and Performance (The Physical Difference)

The cheapest panels are cheap because they use lower-quality materials that are prone to failure in harsh Northern California weather.

  • Superior Heat Resistance: Our panels are engineered to handle the intense, prolonged heat of the Sacramento Valley. Cheaper options suffer from much higher heat-related degradation, meaning they quickly lose efficiency and produce less power over time.

  • Stronger Construction: We choose panels built with superior frames, glass, and sealing. This construction ensures they better withstand hail, heavy snow loads, and high winds, preventing moisture intrusion and costly physical failures that we often fix after shoddy installations (Proprietary Knowledge #2).

2. Warranty Security (The Financial Difference)

This is the most critical difference between our partners and the cheapest options.

  • Long-Term Partner Stability: We only install panels from manufacturers that are financially stable, publicly trusted, and have been successfully producing reliable products for many years—what we call our Long-Term Partners.

  • The Flaw of Cheap Warrants (Proprietary Knowledge #1): A “cheap” panel often comes from a manufacturer with poor financial health. If that company folds in 5 to 10 years (a common occurrence), your 25-year warranty is completely worthless.

  • The Urban Design Guarantee: By paying for our selected quality, you ensure the company backing your 25-year warranty will actually be around to honor it. We are the Northern California contractor built on small-town integrity—we install a system where both the installer and the manufacturer are stable.

Choosing our panels is choosing a lower lifetime risk and a higher, guaranteed return on your investment.

If your solar energy system is grid-tied (the standard connection) and you do not have a battery back-up or whole-house generator, the system will automatically and instantaneously shut off.

Immediate Shutdown is Mandatory

This immediate shutdown is a crucial safety mechanism, governed by industry standards and state electrical code:

  • Anti-Islanding Protection: Your system’s inverter is legally required to contain “anti-islanding” protection. This safety feature instantly detects when the main utility grid fails (goes dark).

  • The Danger: If the system did not shut down, it would continue to feed power onto the utility lines. This current would create an electrical hazard (an “island” of power) that could seriously injure or kill utility crews working to repair the downed lines.

The Result for Your Home

Because the system is tied to the grid for its safety shutdown trigger, the result for your home is:

  • No Power: You will have no electricity flowing from either your solar panels or the grid, regardless of whether the sun is shining directly on your roof.

  • Lights Stay Off: You are fully reliant on the utility company restoring power before your home or business can function again.

As licensed electrical experts serving Northern California, we guarantee that every system we install meets this critical safety standard. We prioritize the security of your property and the safety of our community.

Yes! The monitoring system is the window into your investment. It allows you to see, in real-time, exactly how much electricity your solar system is generating, track your long-term savings, and ensure your system is always performing optimally.1

The Monitoring Process

Every system we install comes with state-of-the-art monitoring hardware that operates automatically:

  1. Data Collection: Sensors at the panel level (micro-inverters or optimizers) and at the central inverter collect performance data every few minutes.2

  2. Internet Connection: This data is sent via an internet connection (usually your home Wi-Fi) to a cloud server run by the monitoring manufacturer.3

  3. App Access: You access this data via a free mobile app or a secure website portal on your phone, tablet, or computer.4

What You Can Track and Monitor

The monitoring app is designed to answer the two biggest questions you have: “Is my system working?” and “Am I saving money?”

  • Real-Time Production: See how much energy (in 5$\text{kWh}$) your system is generating right now, today, this week, or this year.6

  • Performance Alerts: The system will automatically notify you and us if a panel or component is underperforming.7 This allows us to proactively schedule service if necessary.

  • Financial Tracking: You can often track the amount of fossil fuel offset and, most importantly, the dollar amount of your estimated utility savings over time.

The Urban Design Peace of Mind

We set up this monitoring system with you during the final sign-off, ensuring you are comfortable using the app.

As the established, 5-Star Rated Northern California contractor built on small-town integrity, we are also watching your system remotely. This remote monitoring ensures that if your system goes down or underperforms, we are often aware of the issue and can begin troubleshooting before you even notice a difference in your energy bill.8

Our policy is to design for future expansion from day one.

It is very common for homeowners and business owners to increase their energy needs over the 25-year life of the system—for example, by adding an electric vehicle, installing a pool, or switching to an electric heat pump. We plan for this possibility to ensure future upgrades are simple and affordable.

The Urban Design Future-Proofing Strategy

When we design your initial installation, we often build in flexibility across two key areas:

  1. Racking and Roof Space: Where possible, we organize the initial panel layout to leave contiguous, sun-exposed roof space for additional panels without interfering with fire setbacks or roof lines.

  2. Electrical Capacity: If a major expansion is planned, we ensure your main electrical service panel has the necessary capacity to safely handle the additional circuits or power output. As licensed Electrical experts, managing panel capacity is a core part of our trade.

The Upgrade Process

If you decide to expand your system, the process is straightforward:

  1. Assessment: We perform a new energy usage calculation to determine the required system size.

  2. Installation: We add new panels and may install a larger inverter or additional micro-inverters. Because we did the upfront work correctly, the attachment points and wiring integrate seamlessly.

  3. New Permits: We handle all the necessary updated permits and utility interconnection paperwork to ensure the expanded system is fully compliant with local codes in Northern California.

Why Choosing Urban Design Makes Upgrades Cheaper

Upgrades are only easy and affordable if the original job was done right.

  • As the contractor built on small-town integrity, we guarantee our initial structural and electrical work is of the highest standard. This means when you decide to expand, we aren’t spending time and money fixing shoddy, non-compliant work left behind by others—we simply bolt on and wire up.

Solar Power Benefits for Farmers and Ranchers

  • Control energy costs when pumping water or during drought
  • Reliable power to meet demand at peak processing times
  • Hedge against volatile energy prices and plan years ahead

Energy prices are forecast to keep rising at 6-7% historical rate per year. Farming and ranching are unpredictable enough without soaring energy rates. Predictable energy costs give you a tremendous competitive edge.

The longer sunny days of summer coincide with peak energy usage for most farmers, ranchers, and processors. With high and variable energy needs, increases in power prices can have a costly impact on your bottom line budget; especially when you rely on power from the utility company. Solar energy provides a consistent power source at lower fixed rates, ensuring that your operation has affordable solar energy when it’s most critical.

Adding Solar Energy to Your Business

Urban Design Solar makes solar hassle free. Urban Design Solar understands you can’t afford to lose business due to disruptions. With many years of local experience installing solar energy products, Urban Design Solar has a thorough grasp on completing the necessary paperwork for local permits and working effectively and closely with utility companies. Urban Design Solar is a respected local Contractor guaranteeing your project is completed on time, without budget surprises. Urban Design Solar keeps you updated every step of the way during the solar energy system installation. From the smallest retail to larger commercial operations, Urban Design Solar helps you go green and save money.

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4742 Skyway Road, Paradise, CA 95969
Hours: 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday