Do you offer free estimates?

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation estimates for roofing, solar panels, and battery systems throughout Spring Valley and San Diego County.

How do I know if my roof needs repair or full replacement?

Most roofs give warning signs before they fail. Stains on ceilings, missing or cracked shingles, and leaks during rain usually point to repair. If the roof is older, has widespread wear, or keeps leaking in new spots, replacement may make more sense.

What roofing material works best for San Diego homes?

In San Diego, asphalt shingles, tile, and metal roofing all perform well when installed right. Tile roofs last a long time in heat. Shingles cost less upfront. Metal reflects heat well.

Is solar actually worth it in San Diego?

For most homes, yes. San Diego gets consistent year-round sun and SDG&E rates are among the highest in the country. Even under NEM 3.0, a properly sized solar plus battery system typically offsets 70-90% of your electric bill with payback in 6-8 years.

How much does solar cost in San Diego?

Solar costs vary by system size, roof layout, and energy use. Many homeowners install solar with $0 out of pocket through financing, with monthly payments often lower than their SDG&E bill. Federal tax credits and state incentives can lower the overall cost.

Solar Under NEM 3.0 in San Diego — Yes, It Still Pays Off

If you've been told solar "doesn't work anymore" because of NEM 3.0, you've been told half the story. The math changed in April 2023, but solar in San Diego still beats paying SDG&E — especially when you pair panels with a battery. Here's what actually changed and what it means for your home.

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What NEM 3.0 actually did

NEM 3.0 (officially the Net Billing Tariff) replaced NEM 2.0 for every new SDG&E solar customer after April 15, 2023. The biggest shift: export credits dropped roughly 75%. Under NEM 2.0, every kWh you sent to the grid was credited at retail rate (around 30¢). Under NEM 3.0, exports are credited at "avoided cost" — usually 5–8¢ during the day, with higher value during peak evening hours from 6–9 PM.

In March 2026, the California Court of Appeals upheld the NEM 3.0 framework, so the rules aren't going anywhere soon.

Why batteries are now essential, not optional

Without a battery, your panels send most of their daytime production to SDG&E at low export rates. Then you buy power back at 40¢+ per kWh in the evening. The math doesn't work.

With a battery, you store your own daytime solar production and discharge it during peak evening hours when SDG&E rates are highest. Industry data shows solar-only payback in California now runs 8–10 years, while solar + battery payback is 7–8 years — batteries actually shorten payback under NEM 3.0.

What this means for SDG&E customers

SDG&E rates are among the highest in the country, averaging 30–40¢ per kWh depending on tier and time of use. That's the single most important factor in San Diego solar economics — and it's why solar still works here even under tougher net billing rules.

A properly designed solar + battery system in San Diego typically offsets 70–90% of a homeowner's electric bill, with payback in 6–8 years for cash purchases. Financed systems often start saving from month one because the loan payment is lower than the previous SDG&E bill.

How McKay designs systems differently under NEM 3.0

Most installers still design systems the old way — oversize the array, push everything to the grid, hope for the best. That's a losing strategy under NEM 3.0.

We design every system around your actual SDG&E usage profile and time-of-use schedule. We size the battery to capture peak evening rates. And because we handle roofing too, we make sure the roof is ready for a 25+ year solar system before anything goes up.

Common questions

Am I grandfathered into NEM 2.0?

If you submitted a complete interconnection application before April 14, 2023 and your system received Permission to Operate by April 15, 2026, yes — you're locked into NEM 2.0 for 20 years from your interconnection date. Selling your home doesn't change that.

Can I add a battery to an existing NEM 2.0 system without losing grandfathering?

Yes. Adding battery storage to an existing NEM 2.0 system does not affect your grandfathered status.

Is solar still a good investment in 2026?

In San Diego, yes — when designed correctly. SDG&E rates have risen every year for over a decade. A solar + battery system locks in your energy costs for 25+ years.