San Diego Solar Complaints — What Homeowners Report (2026)
San Diego homeowners face NEM 3.0 savings shortfalls, SDG&E rate complexity, and aggressive door-to-door sales. Here's what San Diego solar customers report and what California law gives you.
Quick answer
San Diego solar complaints have surged since California's NEM 3.0 implementation, which dramatically reduced the export credits SDG&E solar customers receive for power sent back to the grid. San Diego homeowners who were sold solar based on NEM 2.0 economics are experiencing savings far below what was projected. California law provides remedies including a 3-day right to cancel and CLRA misrepresentation claims against companies that didn't disclose NEM 3.0's impact.
San Diego solar complaints have increased significantly since California's NEM 3.0 transition in April 2023. SDG&E customers — who already paid some of the highest electricity rates in the country under NEM 2.0, making solar look very attractive — are now discovering that NEM 3.0 has reduced their export credits and changed the fundamental economics of their solar systems. If you were sold solar in San Diego based on NEM 2.0 projections, here's what you need to know.
The NEM 3.0 Problem for San Diego Solar
SDG&E has historically had among the highest residential electricity rates in the country — sometimes $0.40-0.50 per kWh at peak tiers. These high rates made solar savings projections look dramatic under NEM 2.0, which credited exported solar power at near-retail rates. Under NEM 3.0, export credits dropped by approximately 75%, significantly reducing the financial value of excess solar production sent to the grid. San Diego homeowners who signed solar agreements based on NEM 2.0 economics are seeing their actual savings come in far below projections.
Companies that were selling solar through 2022 and early 2023 — Sunrun, Freedom Forever, Tesla Solar, and regional installers — have been accused of using NEM 2.0 projections without disclosing the pending NEM 3.0 transition. If your sales rep showed you savings based on NEM 2.0 export credits after NEM 3.0 was announced, that may constitute a misrepresentation under the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act.
SDG&E Rate Complexity and Sales Misrepresentations
SDG&E's tiered rate structure and time-of-use rates add complexity to solar savings projections that sales reps often gloss over. The best SDG&E solar economics involve time-shifting consumption to use solar power during production hours and minimizing export — a battery-forward approach. Sales reps who present simple "offset your entire bill" projections without explaining SDG&E's rate design are oversimplifying to the point of misrepresentation.
Dealer fee problems are also prominent in San Diego. San Diego homeowners who financed through GoodLeap report loan balances $10,000–$25,000 higher than quoted. Learn about solar loan dealer fee problems and how to identify them in your own loan.
Your Legal Rights in California
California's CLRA and UCL both prohibit misrepresentations in consumer transactions. The DFPI handles solar loan disclosure complaints. California's 3-day right of rescission applies to home solicitation contracts. The California AG Consumer Protection Section actively investigates solar company complaints. File with the AG (oag.ca.gov), DFPI (dfpi.ca.gov) for loan issues, CSLB (cslb.ca.gov) for contractor issues, the BBB, and the CFPB. See the full guide on canceling a California solar contract.
What to Do Next
Compare your savings projections (from the original sales presentation) to your actual SDG&E bills and solar production. If NEM 3.0 was never disclosed or misrepresented, get a free review at breakyoursolarcontract.com to identify your California options.
Need help reviewing a solar contract?
Use our free contract health check to organize your concerns and learn what documentation may matter.
Frequently asked questions
What is NEM 3.0 and how does it affect San Diego solar?
NEM 3.0 reduced export credits for SDG&E solar customers by ~75% compared to NEM 2.0. San Diego homeowners whose savings were modeled on NEM 2.0 rates see dramatically lower actual savings.
Can I cancel my solar contract in San Diego?
California's 3-day right of rescission applies to home solicitation contracts. After that, CLRA misrepresentation claims — particularly around NEM 3.0 non-disclosure — may apply.
What are the most common San Diego solar complaints?
San Diego solar complaints most commonly involve NEM 3.0 savings shortfalls, SDG&E rate complexity misrepresentation, undisclosed GoodLeap dealer fees, and systems that don't deliver promised SDG&E bill reductions.
How do I file a solar complaint in San Diego?
File with the California AG at oag.ca.gov, DFPI at dfpi.ca.gov for loan issues, CSLB at cslb.ca.gov for contractor issues, the BBB, and the CFPB.
Did my San Diego solar company use NEM 2.0 projections?
Check your sales presentation materials for export credit assumptions. If they show retail-rate credits for all exported power (NEM 2.0 style) and your contract was signed after NEM 3.0's announcement, your projections were likely based on outdated assumptions.
What is SDG&E's solar time-of-use rate?
SDG&E's time-of-use rates charge different amounts depending on when you use electricity. Solar systems generate most power during midday when rates may be lower, but homes use most power in evenings when rates are high — a mismatch that reduces savings compared to simple 'offset your bill' projections.